A penalty helped FC United defeat Guiseley 2-0 to ensure the Lions remained winless in all their visits to Broadhurst Park, writes David Bridson.
Ollie Brown was judged to have handled a dangerous Red Rebels cross in the 18th minute.
The experienced Adam Le Fondre fired past Joe Cracknell from twelve yards to give FCUM the lead against the run of play.
Rudy Misambo doubled their advantage having been left unmarked in the box to head home from a corner with fifteen minutes to spare.
Guiseley began the game ferociously, winning two corners in the opening minutes.
Jay Buchan’s wayward fourth minute shot was the first of several early opportunities for the Lions.
John Lufudu left his marker stranded three minutes later but his cross flew over the bar.
Mere moments later Brown made a superb sliding tackle to deny a United break down the left hand side.
Jake Lawlor made a solid challenge in the twelth minute to ensure the opposition were kept at bay.
Amir Berchil shot over from Joao Silva’s cross a minute later as the game became an end-to-end spectacle.
Ajay Weston was denied an opener for the home side on the quarter hour mark as his strike sizzled past the near post.
But it was the penalty that swung the game in FC United’s favour. Le Fondre’s successful conversion from the spot seemed to calm Guiseley’s opponents.
The Lions passed well and created space in the opposition half but could not find a way past the stubborn Manchester back line.
Harrison Hopper collided with home goalkeeper Dan Atherton in the 35th minute as the pair chased a through ball.
Three minutes later the lively Brown made a hazy run but opted to pass rather than shoot.
Connor Ferguson’s decent ball in narrowly evaded the head of the enrushing Lufudu in the 40th minute.
Matty Grivosti wasted a chance to put the home side two in front as he blasted over from a free kick in the 48th minute.
Taylor Bowen and two FC United players clattered to leave all three in a heap two minutes later.
Cracknell made a fantastic save to deny the dangerous Le Fondre in the 55th minute.
Lufudu’s fierce effort was headed over by a United defender just past the hour mark.
An action-packed spell saw Le Fondre’s acrobatic overhead kick caught by Cracknell prior to Jay Fitzmartin blazing over.
Ferguson’s cross then failed to find captain Lebrun Mbeka before the former’s free kick eluded all Guiseley attackers.
Fitzmartin’s cross both nearly deflected in for an own goal and only just missed a United attacker in the 74th minute.
Misambo’s header via Le Fondre’s flick ensured all three points went to the current table toppers.
Substitute Jamie Spencer, who replaced Buchan, nearly pulled one back with his first kick of the game but his attempt went narrowly over the bar via a deflection.
Ferguson’s shot drifted wide in the 87th minute as the Lions fought valiantly despite the game slipping away.
Home substitute Jordan Buckley should have trebled their advantage deep into stoppage time but he somehow dragged his chance wide.
Guiseley’s third defeat in five leaves them 13th in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division.
The Lions are next at home to promoted Stocksbridge Park Steels on Monday 25th August with a 3pm kick-off.
FC United of Manchester 2-0 Guiseley | Saturday 23rd August 2025 | Broadhurst Park
Attendance: 1712
Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2.Ollie Brown (87′ Bentley), 3. Connor Ferguson, 4. Jay Buchan (76′ Spencer), 5. Lebrun Mbeka, 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. John Lufudu (80′ Emmett), 8. Harrison Hopper, 9. Taylor Bowen (62′ Thewlis), 10. Amir Berchil and 11. Joao Silva (69′ Knight).
Subs: 12. Sam Bentley, 14. Jack Emmett, 15. Jamie Spencer, 16. Lewis Knight and 17. Jordan Thewlis.
