Match Report

FC United slipped to a fourth consecutive defeat as three second half goals and two red cards for the visitors saw Darlington take the points with a 3-0 victory.

The game started brightly with both sides showing attacking intent. The closest chance of the opening exchanges saw a cross from the right vollied goal wards by Danny Wisdom, Adam Bartlett saved well by tipping over.

The Quakers were having chances at the other end, Philip Turnbull blasting wide and Dominic Collins heading past the post. Shortly after the half hour, another cross from the right was sent in by FC and Matthew Hughes saw his header kicked off the line.

Right on the half time whistle, the home side were reduced to 10 men when a 50/50 in the middle of the pitch between Scott Kay and Kevin Burgess saw the latter receive his marching orders for his challenge.

With a man advantage it was expected that the Reds would start the half on the front foot but with just seven minutes on the clock, Darlington took the lead when a free-kick into the box was headed back for striker Nathan Cartman to sweep home.

Just after the hour mark, the night worsened for FC United as Josef Wheatley ran unchallenged into the box where he was brought down by Hughes. The FC centre-back received his second yellow card of the game and it was ten men apiece. Terry Galbraith stepped up and saw Lloyd Allinson tip his penalty onto the bar and before catching the rebound.

However, the reprieve was short lived. On 77 minutes the lead was doubled. David Ferguson was allowed to run 50 yards into the FC United box before firing home. There was a strong claim for a foul on Connor McCarthy in the build up but this shouldn’t mask that lessons hadn’t been learnt from the penalty incident, allowing opposition players a free run on goal.

With six minutes left, the FC night went from bad to worse when Mike Connor saw red after winning a free-kick. He seemed to get involved with opposition players to earn himself his second yellow of the game. A minute later, the score was 3-0 as Wheatley slid the ball in from a right wing cross.

The 3-0 winning margin may slightly flatter the home side a little but there is no doubt that they deserved the three points thanks to a lacklustre and ill disciplined 2nd half showing from FC United.

There many things to ponder ahead of a tricky looking FA Cup tie again Handsworth Parramore for manager Karl Marginson and his team.

Report by Steven Wood

Website man of the match - Steve Irwin. Before his withdrawal due to injury, Irwin put in another performance where he was the most lively looking player, covering every blade of grass.