Debutant Trevon Bryan scored a stoppage time screamer to seal FC United’s 4-2 victory at struggling Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday afternoon as the Reds made it four wins from the last six matches.
Neil Reynolds’ side fought back from 1-0 down after 11 minutes to lead 2-1 at halftime. Rightback Declan McLoughlin cancelled out Jordan Preston’s early goal by claiming an equaliser with the faintest of headers 10 minutes before the break, and striker Jordan Buckley gained the lead with a near post volley on the stroke of halftime at the Horsfall Stadium.
Six minutes into the second half, Wales under-19s international Aaron Bennett scored another sublime solo goal, to match his Boxing Day winner at Ashton, and although Preston struck again, the Reds wrapped up all three points when 18-year-old Bolton Wanderers loanee, Bryan, fired in the fourth goal at the death.
There's only one Elvis Presley
It was a great day on the road for the travelling red army, who were entertained on the pitch by Reno’s rampant Reds, and off the pitch by a steward-turned-Elvis-Presley-impersonator.
Avenue’s early goal left the visitors all shook up and in trouble. The FC United faithful demanded a little less conversation, a little more action please from their burning love. And that’s alright, because FC United knew it was now or never and duly obliged by hitting four goals.
Max Woodcock’s cross from the right wing was glanced home gently by McLoughlin for 1-1. Less than 10 minutes later, Guy Hall curled in a peach of a cross for big boss man Buckley to steer home from inside the six-yard box to give United the lead.
Good luck charm
Into the second half, the Reds were playing with confidence and would not surrender their lead. It was no surprise when they went 3-1 up. Bennett picked up the ball on the left and scampered like a hound dog into the Avenue half before rifling a shot into the bottom right corner from 25 yards out. A technique so flawless he makes it look easy. Could he be our good luck charm?
The three points were almost in the bag, but Preston hadn’t read the script. Just after the hour mark, he fired home Avenue’s second goal with a well-worked move that produced just the hosts’ second shot on target. It was hard luck for the Reds who had defended well.
With talismanic winger Donati Gabidon out for several weeks with a hamstring injury, Bryan had big boots to fill. But the youngster was catchin' on fast to United’s style of play and looked a threat all afternoon.
Flaming star
With 90 minutes up on the clock, Bryan became a flaming star. The youngster latched onto a cross-field ball on the left, drew the ‘keeper Tom Scott out of his goal, and checked inside to beat his man before firing the ball beyond the bend to make it 4-2.
Beginner’s luck? More like animal instinct. Either way, he proved to be too much for Avenue to cope with and it for just the happy ending the FC United faithful wanted. The Reds were goin' home with all three points. Such a night.
The teenage duo of Bryan and Bennett could be heading for fame and fortune, but come what may, we’ll enjoy watching them whilst we’re fortunate to have them at FC United.
Next up we host our fundraising friendly against Stalybridge Celtic at Broadhurst Park next Saturday 20th January. C'mon everybody – come along! Whatever happens next for this thing of ours, we can’t go on together with suspicious minds, instead we can’t help falling in love.
Report by Matthew Haley