Last gasp United snatch FA Cup replay with stunning fightback

A 95th minute equaliser from Jordan Preston saw FC United snatch an Emirates FA Cup replay against Hyde United after coming from 3-0 down with 12 minutes to go at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.

A first half goal from Jake Thompson along with a Connor Heath brace either side of the half looked certain to see the Tigers safely into the next round. However, FC dug in their heels to produce a fine comeback and set up a replay at Ewen Fields.

Making his first appearance in the FC net after joining on loan from Burnley in midweek, Charlie Casper had a quiet opening period in the Reds goal. However, a moment of misjudgement from the young ‘keeper allowed Hyde to take the lead on 22 minutes.

A lifted ball over the top of the FC backline drew Casper off his goal-line, and by not dealing with the ball the ‘keeper allowed Thompson to steal the ball ahead of him before rolling into an empty net.

The Reds came closest to an equaliser only minutes after going behind; Salford City-loanee Robbie Cleary picked up the ball on the edge of the D, before firing a left-footed strike just over the visitors’ bar. An ambitious effort, yet a bright moment in a first half lacking in final third action for Neil Reynolds’ hosts.

Hyde’s search for a second goal ramped up after the half hour mark, with top-scorer Jack Redshaw influential in the vast majority of the Tigers’ attacking threat.

Joel Amado forced a strong save from Casper at his near right post after the away left back was fed on the angle by Redshaw inside the FC box in the 33rd minute.

FC’s hopes of restoring parity following the restart were swiftly dealt a heavy blow, as Hyde managed to double their advantage only a minute into the second half. Centre-half William Hall came into possession just shy of the halfway line before dissecting the hosts’ backline with a killer ball into the path of Heath, who slotted home with only the ‘keeper to beat.

Nick Spooner’s visitors found a third goal just ahead of the hour mark, with Heath doubling his tally from close range to give FC a mountain to climb with 30 minutes to play.

Hyde’s opening goal scorer Thompson turned provider this time, getting the better of Guy Hall on the right flank before flashing a low delivery across goal, with Heath stabbing home in front of the travelling supporters.

Hyde ‘keeper Callum Hiddleston denied FC a goal back in the 72nd minute, producing an excellent near post save after an error from Amado allowed Dontai Gabidon a clear route on goal cutting in from the right.

With just over ten minutes of normal time to play, FC United did manage to pull a goal back, with Gabidon atoning for his earlier miss with a superb finish to reduce the deficit to two.

With time to look up on the left side, Hall produced an inviting delivery to the penalty spot, with Gabidon stealing ahead of his marker and diverting the ball home from the centre of the box.

FC turned on the pressure having got on the scoreboard, and very nearly added another in the 81st minute.

Another delivery from the wide area, this time from Joe Ferguson, went undealt with by Hyde, with Hiddleston rooted to the spot as the ball was headed just over the bar.

Substitute Jay Fitzmartin set up a tense closing period by getting the home side’s second of the game in the 92nd minute.

With Hyde camped inside their own box, Fitzmartin took the opportunity to step inside from the left wing before hitting a low effort from outside the area which nestled in the bottom right corner.

With four minutes played in added time, FC completed a miraculous turnaround to keep themselves in the FA Cup, as Jordan Preston came up with the all-important goal in the dying seconds.

Amidst a wave of red pressure the ball was eventually lifted into the box from the right flank, with Preston heading home from within a sea of bodies to send Broadhurst Park into frenzy.

Report by Finn Honeywood