Danny Naidole struck a late, late winner as Golcar United fought back from 2-0 down to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory at Manningham-based Campion on Tuesday night.
In an edge-of-the-seat thriller Golcar showed all their battling qualities to force their way back into the game.
Three of the club’s summer signings grabbed goals and after the home side were reduced to 10 men, the Weavers pressed home the advantage, Naidole grabbing the glory at the end.
Golcar had great travelling support at Bradford in what was a brilliant advert for North West Counties Division One North football.
The three points were just what joint bosses Ash and Gav Connor were looking for in their 200th match in charge, though it was a more stressful night than they might have hoped for.
Golcar found themselves 2-0 down just past the half-hour. Mark Ferguson gave the Red and Blacks the lead in the 25th minute before Nicky Boshell struck from distance six minutes later to make it 2-0.
Golcar held firm and grabbed a crucial lifeline in first half stoppage time when Leon Henry pulled one back.
That gave Golcar the psychological edge going into the second half and Ash Flynn, another summer recruit, levelled on his first start for the club.
Aran Basi was dismissed for a foul on the edge of the box as Golcar threatened, leaving Campion down to 10 men.
The Weavers scented victory and turned on the pressure and two minutes from time Naidole smashed home the winner after a Flynn free-kick was blocked.
Afterwards Naidole tweeted: “That was some night of midweek football! Loved it! Unreal support away from home got us through. Oh, and loved scoring the late winner.”
Naidole told Huddersfield Hub: “Four points from two tough away games is a great start. It was brilliant to score the winner and, after being 2-0 down, it was a great feeling.
“I got myself a couple of goals in pre-season and it’s good to carry that form into the season proper and score when it really matters.
“The dressing room is buzzing but it’s still early days and we need to keep level-headed. I’ve been in quite a few changing rooms and the ones that do well have a great team spirit, just like we’re building at Golcar.”
Golcar are unbeaten after two away matches and sit fourth in the table at this very early stage and joint manager Ash Coonor said: “It was a great game in a match where we created a lot of chances and went behind against the run of play.
“We got a goal back just before the break and it looked like it was only a matter of time before we scored again. Overall we created a lot of chances and moving forward we need to be more clinical. It would have been a different game if we had taken our chances early.”
Golcar scrapped for a point with 10 men at Holker Old Boys on Saturday and Connor was delighted to see the same character show through again from his players.
“It was a great team effort with everyone pulling in the right direction. The character was brilliant and all the subs played their part. It was a real team performance.”
Golcar’s first home game is on Saturday (3.00) against Nelson and Connor added: “Four points from our first two away games is great but we have to back it up now.”
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