Ryan Zico Black helped set up both his side’s goals in a 3-2 defeat. (Picture by Steve Allen, 0572856)
RYAN ZICO BLACK set up two goals for Bamber Bridge but it was not enough as his new team went down 3-2 to FC United of Manchester in the semi-finals of the Unibond First Division North promotion play-offs.
The 26-year-old Sarnian had moved to ‘Brig’ from Lancaster City six weeks previously. Their opponents were formed by supporters of Manchester United who were unhappy at the takeover of the club by the Glazer family.
On Wednesday night in front of more than 1,000 of their fans at Gigg Lane, the home of Bury, it was the ‘Red Rebels’ who were victorious after having taken an early lead that they never relinquished. ‘Everyone was really disappointed because we’d worked hard to get this far,’ said Black.
‘It was a good game, but we had a really bad start being 2-0 down at half-time. It was a good crowd and a good atmosphere.
‘Their fans made a massive difference and they were singing from start to finish.’
Manchester had taken the lead through Adam Carden and Rory Patterson as Black sat on the bench throughout the first half.
In a bid to make things happen, Bridge boss Phil Entwistle decided to bring on the Sarnian at half-time.
He later admitted that he should have played his new signing from the beginning.
‘The manager said he made a bit of a mistake in not starting me but he said he wanted to start with his loyal players who had been with him all season,’ said Black.
When he came on, Black helped Bridge claw a goal back on 51 minutes.
He sent in a well struck free kick that hit the crossbar off Glenn Steel’s head for fellow Bridge teammate Neil Zarac to react the quickest and put it away.
FC United proceeded to stretch their lead back to two goals through Jerome Wright.
But Bamber Bridge refused to lie down and mounted a series of serious assaults.
They got back into the game with arguably the best strike of the night.
Black whipped over a cross from the right and Zarac turned and volleyed home.
However, the visitors could not find their opponents’ goal again and FC United now face Skelmersdale in tomorrow’s final.
Black now has to think about what he wants to do next year.
‘The manager definitely wants to keep me there next season and I’m going to speak to him next week and weigh up my options,’ he said.
‘I want to go back up as I want to play at a high level. I’ll see what my options are in the next couple of weeks.
‘I’d been there only six weeks and it was a difficult situation for me because I’d just got there. It was nice to have a big game, but it was a shame that we couldn’t do it.’
Article posted on 2nd May, 2008 - 2.30pm
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