FA Trophy Preview: Darlington

Darlington v City of Liverpool

FA Trophy 2nd Round

Wednesday 16th Dec. 8PM KO

COVID-19

Unfortunately due to Covid-19 restrictions this game is Behind Closed Doors. However we will have twitter updates via @Purpsmatchday. We will also go live at around 7:50PM and have full radio coverage via PurpsFM. To access that you can download the MIXLR app or via the MIXLR website and search “colfc”.

Preview

So here we go Purps! Arguably this is the biggest game in our clubs short but illustrious history. Bigger than cup finals, bigger than Chester in the FA Cup and bigger even than Irlam. That’s certainly my view and I will debate anyone who says otherwise!

City of Liverpool booked their place in the 2nd round on the back of an incredible away performance at Buxton and due to a last minute worldie from Jack Hazlehurst.

Jack had put the Purps ahead on 20 minutes rounding off a devastating 5 move pass that started at the edge of the Purps own 18 yard box and resulted in Mitch Bryant rounding the keeper to square unselfishly for Jack to side foot home.

Buxton grabbed a late equaliser from the lively Diego De Girolamo as the game edged toward extra time. But Jack Hazlehurst had other ideas. I’m not even going to try and describe just how incredible his goal was I’m just going to direct you to watch the video below. Jack Hazlehurst doing Jack Hazlehurst things.

The Purps have certainly not had an easy FA Trophy run so far. Drawn away twice to teams a league above in Atherton Colls and Buxton hasn’t detered them however. Michael Ellison has set his team up not just to frustrate and try and nick a result but to show we can compete at this level and showcase the strengths of this team.

Not bad considering all the distruption with Covid has limited him to just 6 games as manager.

Speaking just after the win at Buxton and before the draw Ello had this to say on any possible tie- “..whoever we get we will get after them.”

Darlington are currently playing 2 leagues above the Purps but he season so far for them has almost been a tale of two teams. Whilst they are languishing at the bottom of the National League North, their cup form this season is impeccable.

They reached the FA Cup Second Round for the first time in nearly 10 years. On the way they beat Prescot Cables, Tadcaster Albion and Cambridge City to progress to the First Round proper where they drew an away trip to League 1 side Swindon Town.

Not to be detered by the magnitude of the fixture The Quakers secured a famous 2-1 victory and were rewarded with another away trip this time at League 1 side Bristol Rovers. That was to be a step too far however as Bristol Rovers ultimately ran out 6-0 winners.

Whilst City of Liverpool have only existed as a club for 5 years our opponents have been around a tad longer. Darlington where first formed in 1883 and have existed for 137 years. A varied and rich history almost came to and end in 2012 as they entered administration and where almost liquidated.

The fans rallied round and took over the club despite the FA imposing an unprecedented relegation of 4 divisions, dropping Darlington from the Conference to the Northern League Division One. They have been fan owned ever since as they worked their way back up the leagues.

Past Meetings

This is the first official meeting between Darlington and City of Liverpool.

Travel

Unfortunately this game is behind closed doors.

#UTP