Friendship born as FC United win at AKS Zły in FENIX Trophy

FC United continued making friends not millionaires, this time in Warsaw, as the Reds won 6-1 against our fantastic hosts AKS Zly in the FENIX Trophy. 

Bradley Holmes scored a stunning hat-trick with Charlie Ennis, Sam Burns and Adam Dodd also on the scoresheet. Adam Onkiewicz netted a well deserved consolation goal for the Polish side.

Holmes opened the scoring after eight minutes with a perfectly placed header into the bottom corner after a cross from the right by Aaron Morris. He doubled the lead on 25 minutes to give the Reds a two goal at cushion at halftime.

The visitors took full control of the game three minutes into the second half as Charlie Ennis slotted home from close range, giving Spanish goalkeeper Diego Sesar de Hoyas no chance. Holmes then completed his hat-trick just after the hour to make it 4-0.

On 68 minutes, the hosts got the goal that their endeavour deserved and it was greeted with applause from many of the 120 or so travelling FC United fans inside the Bemowski Center Football.

However, Neil Reynolds’ side weren’t in the mood to be as generous. Blackburn Rovers loanee Burns made it five with 20 minutes left and leftback Dodd completed the confidence-boosting 6-1 victory with eight minutes to go by rifling the ball home from a tight angle.

The FCUM caravan of love rolled into town for the FENIX Trophy Group B match and whilst friendships were born on the terraces and in the bars and nightclubs of Warsaw, the team from Manchester proved too strong for AKS Zly.

The one-sided action on the pitch didn’t dampen the spirits of the raucous home supporters though as the AKS faithful vocally backed their team right until the end and lit up the night sky with flares, smoke bombs and sparklers to create a terrific spectacle.

The travelling Reds were also in party mood as they dug deep into their extensive catalogue of terrace chants. After a difficult start to the domestic season, our first competitive Euro away was just the tonic for those who were able to make the trip and many were left feeling on top of the world. 

Next up for the Reds is a trip to Runcorn Linnets on Saturday for the FA Trophy, and we hope to host a FENIX Trophy match at Broadhurst Park before Christmas. Details to follow as soon as the match is confirmed.

Website man of the match: Bradley Holmes. The 18-year-old Blackpool striker demonstrated once again why he is so highly rated. Special mention too for both sets of fans who were the biggest stars of the occasion.

Report by Matthew Haley