Unhappy Monday as FC United exit FA Cup at hands of Chesterfield

FC United exited the Emirates FA Cup at the first round proper stage with a 4-1 defeat to League One side Chesterfield at Broadhurst Park on Monday but the on pitch action wasn’t the only talking point.

The record books will show a 4-1 victory to the Spireites but the night will be remembered for much more than that. Numerous people at FC United had been angered and disappointed with the FA’s decision to move the match to Monday night, so it could be televised by BT Sport, against the expressed wishes of the club.

Many threatened to boycott the first half or the entire match but the questions was would they remain true to their word? Hundreds did. Around 150-200 noisy supporters sang songs of freedom outside the ground and many more protested by buying tickets but not attending.

Since the draw, and subsequent rescheduling of the fixture, there hasn’t been the usual sense of excitement that you would expect to surround the club’s second appearance in the first round proper. For some, it was business as usual, ’support the boys’, for others there was a sense of dread and duty to complete the fixture and then get back to normality, whilst others wanted to demonstrate that without fans - football is nothing.

The sight of banners where passionate fans will be stood singing and chanting this Saturday were clearly visible as was the vocal discontent from those who decided to enter the ground, but whether or not they reached the top of the ivory towers remains to be seen.

On the pitch the League One team showed their lethal touch early on cutting through the FC United defence firstly with Gboly Ariyibi slotting home a rebound and then Lee Novak flicked a Dan Jones cross passed goalkeeper Dave Carnell to make it 2-0 with just 12 minutes on the clock.

The Reds started the match playing like a team four leagues below and low in confidence, but soon found their footing in a game which had threatened to get away from them with the two early goals.

Half chances for Tom Greaves and then Rory Fallon were more convincing, but in reality the efforts were simple for visiting ‘keeper Tommy Lee to deal with.

Rory Patterson and Greg Daniels came onto the pitch at the start of the second half to give United a more attacking look and hopefully a bit more presence in the visiting half of the pitch.

Jerome Wright looked dangerous with the ball on the left and almost found a way back in as his cross was deflected close to the goal but out for a corner by Chesterfield defender Chris Wood.

The visiting team looked to have the edge in fitness late on as you would expect and made this pay with a counter attack finished off by the lightning fast Simons, who lightly lifted the ball over the on rushing Carnell to make it 3-0.

Former FC United stars Ollie Banks and Charlie Raglan came off the bench to make their first appearances at Broadhurst Park, with Banks firing a late effort past Carnell to make it four for the visitors.

But Luke Ashworth made sure the evening ended on a high note as he rose well in stoppage to time to head home a corner and give the fans something to take away from the action on the pitch.

In truth, the evening itself should and could have been so more. The fact FC United had reached the FA Cup first round for the second time in 10 seasons and to get the tie at our own ground should have been a momentous occasion, but this was sadly taken away from us by the rules and demands of those that have the power over the game we all share and love.

The Reds must now stand united once more as it’s back to league action on Saturday where they look to break a run of six successive league defeats.

Website Man of the Match: Dean Stott – Rarely has a bad game and despite the result tonight was no exception.

Report by Craig Phillips