FC United snatch dramatic late FA Cup victory over Bootle

Regan Linney scored a 97th minute winner as FC United came from behind to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory over Bootle in the Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round replay at Broadhurst Park on Tuesday night. 

Finlay Sinclair-Smith put the Reds 1-0 up in the 12th minute with a superb strike into the top corner. However, two second half goals from the visitors looked to have won the tie, until Matty Rain steered home a 90th minute equaliser from close-range and substitute Linney won the match deep into stoppage time with a strike from inside the box to spark wild celebrations in front of the St Mary's Road End. 

Manager Neil Reynolds was back in the dugout after missing the last two matches through illness and he was keen to see his side overcome Bootle at the second attempt. When Sinclair-Smith got the early breakthrough, it looked like the replay could be a straight forward passage into the second qualifying round. Bootle had other ideas though and proved they could go toe-to-toe with Reds for second time in four days. 

Striker Tom Peterson equalised five minutes into the second half after Drew Baker failed to deal with a header into the box. Baker accidentally headed the ball into the air and The Bucks forward was more assured with his header – guiding it past goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe for 1-1. 

If the equaliser took United by surprise, the visitors’ second goal had them reeling. On 67 minutes, centre-back Aaron Morris was left trying to defend against two men and was unlucky to see the ball ricochet away from him before falling kindly for substitute Paul Foy, who curled a peach of a strike into the top right corner from the left-hand edge of the box for 1-2. 

Despite the setback, the Reds never lost their heads and kept plugging away. However, time was ticking on and it looked like FC United’s place in this year’s FA Cup was slipping away from them. A resolute Bootle held their lead for 23 minutes until Morris darted down the right wing and played a one-to-two with Sinclair-Smith before expertly crossing for Rain, who looked like the calmest man in Broadhurst Park as he volleyed the ball into the ground and – more importantly – the back of the net for a priceless equaliser. 

With extra time and a possible penalty shootout looming, both sides looked keen to try to snatch a winner in normal time. The Bucks didn’t sit back, but United were the team in the ascendancy, especially because they were backed by the always boisterous Broadhurst Park crowd.

Substitute Keaton Mulvey, introduced late on for the injured Michael Potts, had a glorious chance to win it in the 93rd minute when he was played through one-on-one by Baker, but his shot was well saved by Ryan Jones. 

However, Jones could do nothing about Linney’s winner moments later. Sinclair-Smith was in the thick of the action once again and his storming run down the right wing resulted in him whipping a dangerous ball into the near post.

Despite having eight players in and around the six-yard box, Bootle were defenceless to stop Linney firing the ball home and FC United into the next round of the FA Cup. It was cruel on the visitors after a determined display, but it was also a well-deserved win and characterful performance from the Reds, who travel to Blyth Spartans in the next round.  

Website man of the match: Finlay Sinclair-Smith. Another impressive performance from the always lively winger. Had a hand in all three goals, including a great individual strike and the all-important cross that led to the winner.