Bristol United FC faced FC United of Yate Saturday in a thrilling friendly match at the home ground of the latter on 14 August 2025, kicking off at 6:30pm. The contest ended with Bristol United clinching a narrow 3-2 victory, showcasing their attacking prowess and resilience throughout the match.
Bristol United adopted a 4-3-3 formation, which allowed them to utilise their attacking talents effectively. Paul Cameron stood guard in goal, while a back four comprised of Jack Gilborson on the right, Sam Morgan and James Rayner in central defence, and Seb Clift on the left provided a solid defensive foundation. In midfield, Calum Rowan operated on the right, Tom Blake took up a central role, and Joe Gardner was positioned on the left, tasked with linking play and supporting the forwards. Up front, Ryan Davis and Luke Brooks flanked striker Billy Gilborson, who was expected to lead the line and convert chances into goals.
The substitutes for Bristol United included Ben Jeffrey, Almardi Kaka, Matt Eddolls, Muhideen Aguda, and Szymon Luszczynski, who were poised to make an impact as the match progressed.
The first half saw FC United of Yate take a deserved lead in the 33rd minute, capitalising on a moment of defensive lapse from Bristol United. The home side was on top in the first half as a very poor Bristol United struggled to get into the game.
At half-time, the score stood at 1-0 in favour of FC United, prompting tactical changes from Bristol United along with some strong words from manager John Gilborson. Ben Jeffrey replaced Seb Clift, signalling a shift in strategy as they aimed to perform better in the second half.
The second half commenced with renewed vigour from Bristol United, and just five minutes in, Ryan Davis levelled the score at 1-1. He found the net from close range, thanks to a well-placed free kick delivered by Joe Gardner, showcasing their set-piece prowess.
Bristol United continued to press forward, and in the 55th minute, they were awarded a penalty following some great work from Luke Brookes. Billy Gilborson stepped up and confidently converted, putting his side ahead 2-1. The momentum was firmly with Bristol, and they extended their lead further in the 64th minute when Ryan Davis scored again, this time with a stunning effort from outside the box, assisted by Tom Blake's precise cross.
As the match approached its final stages, Bristol United made further substitutions to maintain their advantage. Almardi Kaka came on for Calum Rowan in the 65th minute, followed by Matt Eddolls replacing Jack Gilborson in the 68th minute. In the 73rd minute, Muhideen Aguda entered the fray, taking over from James Rayner, while Szymon Luszczynski came on for the influential Ryan Davis in the 74th minute.
However, FC United of Yate refused to go down without a fight. In the 82nd minute, they scored a fluke goal from outside the box, narrowing the deficit to 3-2 and setting up a tense finish. Despite their best efforts, Bristol United held firm, demonstrating resilience and tactical discipline to secure the victory.
Luke Brooks was instrumental throughout the match, earning him the accolade of Player of the Match for his contributions on the left flank. Bristol United's performance showcased their attacking capabilities and defensive resolve, setting a positive tone as they continue their pre-season preparations.
