Comeback Kids: FC United of Manchester

“We’re going to win 4-3.” These chants echoed around Broadhurst Park after George Thomson’s strike for FC United on the stroke of half-time. Now Harrogate were only leading 3-1 at the interval. The chants produced a wry smile from me, dismissive of the possibility that our defence could possibly forgo the shambolic episodes, a consistent failure to mark opposition players from set pieces and open play, that had led to three Harrogate chances, which they took with aplomb, meaning that after 40 minutes, FC were losing a generally tight, hard-fought game 3-0.

But in the first minute of the second half, neat play outside Harrogate’s penalty area culminated in a perfectly timed shot by Sam Sheridan, finding its way into the goalie’s bottom right hand corner. 3-2. The comeback was well and truly on now. What had seemed initially like self-deprecating chanting now seemed tantalisingly prescient. My earlier cynicism was replaced by a cautious sense of optimism: a belief that the Harrogate were anxious and vulnerable, but tempered by watching more than half a season of FC United flirting with the relegation zone. There was a chance we could draw, or even win the game, but surely that would be too good to be true.

However, it wasn’t, and in the 55th minute, a through ball from midfield set Tom Greaves on his way, outrunning the Harrogate centre back and with only the goalkeeper to beat. And just inside the penalty area, Greaves drove his shot into the goalie’s right-hand corner. 3-3. Cue the ecstastic scenes from me and every other FC fan. We had contrived to go 3-0 behind in a tightly contested affair, against a team fifth in the table who had beaten the league leaders 6-0 the week before, but now we had got back to 3-3. Plus, there were still 35 minutes, plus stoppage time, left. Would FC now go for jugular and finish Harrogate off? Or would they relax, and let Harrogate regroup and possibly win?

Those questions were answered all of two minutes later; Sam Madeley, FC’s dynamic winger-cum-forward, ran at the Harrogate defence and, after coming out the better of a 50-50 tackle, charged into space and towards the Harrogate goal. Another one-on-one, another great finish. 4-3 to FC United, four unanswered goals inside fifteen minutes of playing time. The majority of the stadium erupted into pandemonium: Madeley ran towards the terrace behind Harrogate’s goal and the fans streamed down from the terrace to congratulate him; I, on the other hand, jumped and cheered in disbelief, more than happy to have been made to look a right idiot.

After Madeley and his teammates were able to navigate the scores of jubilant supporters and get back into position, the game restarted. A few minutes later Harrogate were down to ten men, the assistant referee spotting an off-the-ball incident between Madeley and the Harrogate defender Louie Swann. The game calmed down after that; the advantage of an extra-man allowing FC United  to retain possession of the ball for long periods. There was one good chance to make it 5-3, a Greaves shot producing a fine save from Harrogate keeper Peter Crook. As stoppage time beckoned, however, Harrogate pressed for an equaliser; a succession of goal kicks and corners resulting in nervy moments for FC. Indeed, one of these set pieces landed on the head of a Harrogate player in the centre of the penalty area, but he could only direct his header straight into the hands of the grateful Dave Carnell. And, despite having ignored the protestations of me and those nearby that injury time was up, the referee finally called an end to the game—one of the most exhilarating sporting contests I’ve witnessed (admittedly an opinion not likely to be espoused by Harrogate Town’s players, staff or fans).

Regardless of the game being played or the standard of play, all sports fans can relate to the joy of witnessing a comeback from a seemingly certain defeat. Indeed, comebacks are so wondrous not just because of the on-field action, but the potent mix of emotions they inspire: firstly that moment, however fleeting, when your player or team has lost; then, after a positive passage of play, the thoughts of “this could actually happen”, coupled with the dread that it’s too late and the opponent(s) will just about manage to cling on to victory; and then, finally, at the end of play, the realisation at what you have witnessed, the incredulity at what has happened…fading away, transforming into an unparalleled sense of joy.

It is why, I am sure, City fans never forget the 4-3 FA Cup victory at Tottenham, or the 1999 Football League Second Division play-off Final. It is what makes the Champions League finals in Istanbul and Barcelona so incredible for fans to remember. Nick Faldo’s 1996 Masters victory against Greg Norman, Gauston Gaudio’s 2004 French Open victory from 2 sets and match point down against Guillermo Coria. The list goes on. Admittedly, however, I won’t be complaining if FC United win their next home game 3-0.