Iron manager Russ Wilcox saluted the predatory instincts of striker Paddy Madden after he opened the scoring in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Bury at Glanford Park.
With the game evenly poised, United took the lead just after the hour-mark when the 24-year-old reacted quickest to divert a Hakeeb Adelakun strike home from close-range.That saw Madden register his fourth goal for the club since joining from Yeovil in January, and Wilcox told The Iron Player: “It was a shot from Hakeeb, and obviously wasn’t one of his better strikes but you want your strikers to be alert.
“Once it gets into that final third, I always want the strikers to be where the ball is going to come. It was great awareness, and a terrific finish as well.”
Having gone in front, United were pegged back just seven minutes later before restoring their advantage with 13 minutes remaining courtesy of sharp work from Paul Hayes after the striker saw his initial effort from the penalty-spot palmed away by Bury goalkeeper Brian Jensen.
The Iron had seemed set to take all three points going into injury time, but were to be denied at the last when Shakers substitute Danny Rose curled an exquisite effort past Sam Slocombe to rescue an unlikely draw for his side.
Despite the set-back, Wilcox reserved special praise for Dublin-born Madden, and added: “I’m absolutely delighted for Paddy because everyone has seen what he’s about.
“It’s not just about goal-scoring, it’s about his work ethic for the football club and for his team-mates. You know exactly what you’re going to get from him every time he steps out on the pitch.
“He’s been great for me, and I’ve really enjoyed working with him. We’ve just got to do that four more times now, and with Paddy in the team it gives us every chance.”
See much more from Russ Wilcox, Paul Hayes and Terry Hawkridge on The Iron Player.