FC United vs. Darlington FC: Match Preview

We are back in league action today after a cup double header, as we look to put a win on the board at home in the league against Darlington FC.

It was another busy week for FC this week on and off the field in preparation for Non-League day. We kicked off our defence of the Frank Hannah Manchester Premier Cup, as we went to Glossop North End and came away with a comfortable 2-0 win.

We have also secured the services of Lewis Mansell and Lewis Thompson from Blackburn Rovers on a one-month extension, having joined on loan earlier on in the season. Both players have already featured prominently for the first team this season, as we look forward to seeing more of them in the FC red.

Our opponents Darlington have gone through some tough times over the past few years on and off the pitch, but have made some progress in getting back to where they once were, and they were able to change their name to the historically significant Darlington FC.

Darlington finished in 12th place in the National League North with 55 points, five points and four places above FC.

The Quakers are currently three places above FC in the National League North, as they sit in 19th place having played 11 games and have accumulated ten points.

In their last five games in all competitions, Darlington have picked up one win, with their last win in the league coming against AFC Telford as they beat them by three goals to nil.

The main outlet for goals this season has been Reece Styche, who has scored five goals in ten games, averaging a goal every two games. Styche however, could not be playing at Broadhurst Park today as he has been called by the Gibraltar National team.


Facts:

•The Quakers have won all 4 meetings with FCUM, one of 11 clubs with 100% records against the Reds, though 8 were one-off fixtures

•Darlington 1883 were formed in June 2012 after the original club ceased to exist after 129 years of history. They played in the Football League between 1921 and 1989 and 1990-2010.

•The current sequence of 6 Home League games without a win is the worst run for FCUM.

•On this date in 2007 FCUM won 2-1 against Wakefield at Gigg Lane watched by 1955 with Chris Baguley scoring both goals.

•On this date in 2009 FCUM won 1-0 against Stalybridge Celtic in an FA Cup replay watched by 1923 with Jerome Wright scoring for the visitors.

• On this date in 2012 FCUM lost 2-4 against AFC Fylde at Kellamergh Park watched by 1418 with Michael Norton and Greg Daniels netting for the Reds.