FC United fightback to draw six goal Bank Holiday thriller with Curzon Ashton

FC United fought back from 3-1 down with four minutes to go to draw a six goal thriller with Curzon Ashton on Bank Holiday Monday in front of 3,830 noisy supporters at Broadhurst Park.

The out of sorts Reds were 2-0 down at halftime but Luke Ashworth pulled one back just before the hour mark. Any chance of a salvaging a draw looked to be dead and buried in the 85th minute though as Matthew Warburton made it 3-1 to the visitors.

However, FC United responded by staging an incredible late fightback to salvage a point. The players delivered the type of rescue act that has become synonymous with the club over the last few years but this was the first one of its kind at Broadhurst Park. Possibly the first of many to come.

Sam Madeley scored a spectacular half-volley to make it 3-2 with three minutes to go and moments later Rory Fallon fired home the priceless equaliser to send the FC United faithful into raptures. It was a cruel blow for our local rivals and former landlords but testament to the ‘never say die’ fighting spirit Karl Marginson has instilled in his teams over the last decade.

The Reds went into the game against the Nash as favourites following back-to-back wins against Brackley Town and Hednesford Town, but in truth the home team never really got into their stride and endured a disastrous first half which saw them 2-0 down at the break.

Curzon took the lead after just five minutes, taking advantage of a makeshift backline which couldn’t clear the ball out of its own box. Ryan Brooke fired home past goalkeeper Dave Carnell at his near post.

Things went from bad to worse as the visitors went 2-0 up after 36 minutes. A ball from the right of the box found the outstretched leg of Matthew Warburton at the far post, giving the visitors a well-deserved two goal lead at the break.

As the second half began, FC United took the game to the visitors and looked more energetic going forward. This was rewarded with a goal just before the hour mark as Sean Cooke floated in a great ball from a free-kick which was powered home off the head of Ashworth.

Despite the lifeline, the Reds didn’t kick on in search of the equaliser and the performance looked a bit lethargic. Curzon seemed to be winning every 50/50 ball and were pressing anybody in Red that had possession.

Warburton looked like he had wrapped the three points up for the visiting side as he got inside Nia Bayunu before firing into the top corner to make it 3-1 with just five minutes remaining.

But the Reds dug deep and kept playing to the final whistle. Substitute Sam Madeley was at the heart of the comeback first hitting a beautiful half-volley past Burton in the visiting goal to make the difference just a single goal with three minutes left.

The midfielder then showed superb solo trickery on the left flank to leave two Curzon defender bamboozled before he placed a low ball at the feet of Rory Fallon. Fallon coolly popped the ball into the bottom left corner sending those behind the goal into pandemonium as the most unlikely of comebacks had been completed.

The draw will have felt like a win for Marginson’s men in a game where they were second best for large spells. After a disappointing start to the season, the team can be very happy with gaining seven points from the last three games.

FC United now make the long trip to Lowestoft Town next Saturday in what could be another closely contested game with just goal difference currently separating the two teams in the National League North table.

Website Man of the Match: Sam Madeley – Not too often would a 67th minute substitute pick up the award but Madeley was key in the comeback firstly with a great goal from outside the box, before some good work on the flank set up the ball perfectly for Fallon to clinch a point.

Report by Craig Phillips