image credit - Alicia Day

FC United see off Basford in a thriller

  • FC bounce back from last weeks loss to Nantwich with 3-2 win v Basford.
  • A goal from Griffiths and a brace from Donohue were enough to secure three points for the Red Rebels. 
  • A bumper crowd of 2,068 attended the game, thanks to the Youth United day at the club. 

In front of a bumper crowd celebrating Youth United day, FC United came from behind twice, beating Basford United 3-2 to secure three points in the spring sunshine at Broadhurst Park.

Goals from Griffiths and a brace from Michael Donohue proved to be enough for the 3 points.

Basford got in front in the 4th minute through a stunning free kick from Ryan Wilson which came down off the inside of the crossbar. Lavercombe could do nothing about it and FC found themselves a mountain to climb.

Climb it they would however, as a succession of chances was to come for the reds.

Linney looked the most like getting the goal for FC, but Blackpool loanee Ewan Bange was causing all sorts of issues for the Ambers back line.

Play would be disrupted in the 24th minute as Basford player Mitchell Tait was stretchered off, all sides of Broadhurst applauding as he left the field of play.

FC couldn’t find the net before half time, but they certainly had more of the ball and the better of the chances, so there was hope going into the second half.

It would take FC just 4 minutes to get one back in the second half as Reno’s half time team talk clearly had an immediate effect.

Luke Griffiths hit a hopeful ball but it took a deflection and looped in over the Basford ‘keeper.

The Ambers’ surprisingly prolific centre back Brad Gascoigne would come back with a second for the men in blue. Gascoigne rose above the rest and took hold of a wonderful overhead kick, it flew through the air for what seemed like an age and ended up in the back of the net, 1-2.

End to end football was the order of the day, and this was the case for the reds’ second equaliser. It was Michael Donohue popping up with a lethal strike in the box which lashed into the back of the net on the half volley.

What’s next would send Neil Reynolds and his coaching team flying down the main stand touchline. Donohue got his second by smashing the ball in from short range, after Ennis and Dodd combined brilliantly to craft the chance. 3-2 to FC.

After the game, I spoke to FC manager Neil Reynolds:

“After last Saturday, that result feels amazing. There isn’t a better place to be after you win a game of football than Broadhurst Park.

“I dedicate the points today to Dan Lavercombe. At 3-2, he makes a crucial one on one save to save the points for us, and that’s why he’s signed a contract with us.

“I’ve had to pick the lads up this week, they were down in the dumps, but it’s about winning football games. It’s what I’m paid to do, it’s what they’re paid to do, and we’ve done that today so we take the three points and look forward to next week.”

Man Of The Match – Michael Donohue – who else? Two vital goals and some really tight play all through the game capped off a brilliant performance.

Next up for the reds is a trip to Mickleover Sports on Saturday 26th March. 

Image Credit – Alicia Day