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FC United ready to relive Rochdale FA Cup encounter as Reds host Spotland club

FC United ready to relive Rochdale FA Cup encounter as Reds host Spotland club Saturday sees the final home warm up ahead of next season’s opening fixture as FC United look to recapture one of; if not the, most memorable nights in our history as we welcome League One side Rochdale to Broadhurst Park. Craig Phillips provides this preview...

After picking up three wins in our last three games against Nelson (4-1), Hereford (1-0) and Mossley (4-0) the Reds now face what will ultimately be their toughest test in Keith Hill’s side in a fixture which brings back the best kind of memories.

The fifth of November is a date that we will always remember, remember when it comes to the history of FC United. In 2011, the Reds had remarkably gotten to the first round proper of the FA Cup and were drew against Rochdale in what was billed as the underdogs chance to shine on the biggest platform.

A crowd of 7,048 (a good proportion of those packing the main stand in Red colours) were on hand to witness a remarkable game of football. Many had expected the Reds to turn up and maybe give a good account of themselves, but the unthinkable seemed to be on the cards after Nicky Platt’s opener and Jake Cottrell’s wonder goal had given them a two goal lead early in the second half.

But the hosts battled back to 2-2 and it looked as though despite our best efforts the game would head to a replay until deep into stoppage time Mike Norton grabbed the winner in a moment that still gives me goose bumps writing about it five years later.

Five years on and now settled in a ground of our own we now have the opportunity to repay the hospitality shown by the Dale in 2011 and also look to maybe recapture the spirit and togetherness of that night as we head into what could be the biggest season in our club’s history.

Rochdale will be looking to build on their great performance last season when they finished 10th in League One just five points off Barnsley (who were promoted through the play-offs) in the final play-off position. They start their league campaign at home to Peterborough next Saturday in what will no doubt be a tough encounter against a side they finished just six points and three places ahead of last season.

The Dale have had a solid pre-season so far with wins over our fellow National League North sides AFC Fylde (2-1) and Stockport County (1-0) as well as a 1-1 draw against Championship side Blackburn Rovers.

Last weekend the Dale were in fine form as they beat Championship side (and last season’s League One winners) Wigan Athletic 4-1 at the Spotland Stadium with goals from Reuben Noble-Lazarus, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Niall Canavan and Calvin Andrew.

Speaking to the club website after the game Manager Keith Hill praised his sides efforts but played down the importance of the Wigan victory, saying: “We’re just trying to create good habits and a standard, and improve on those standards and habits. I’m relatively pleased with where we’re at in formulating those types of habits, but we haven’t kicked a ball in anger yet.???

FC United themselves come into the game in fine form having won three on the bounce in the space of six days, scoring nine goals and just conceding one in those games. Tom Greaves has netted five times in five appearances this pre-season and trialist Jason Gilchrist made his mark on Tuesday netting a memorable hat-trick in his first appearance for the Reds.

Saturday’s game is the usual 3.00pm kick off with admission pay on the gate and full match details can be found below. So get yourself down to that football ground and cheer the Reds on.

Match Details

Saturday 30th July 2016, kick-off 3pm
Rochdale (H)
Broadhurst Park, 310 Lightbowne Road, Moston, Manchester, M40 0FJ
Adults: £9, Concessions: £5, Under 18s: £2



First Posted ~ 23:07 Wed 27 Jul 2016
News ID ~ 6947
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021