Darlington 3 Fylde 1

Main 26 mins, 1-0, Platt 45 mins 2-0, Wilson 56 mins, 2-1, McGowan 65 mins 3-1

Thanks to tonight's matchball sponsor, the Darl Knight

https://www.thedarlknight.com/

Attendance 1037

Darlington reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in five years with a scintillating display against Fylde.

Quakers produced their best football of the season to go 2-0 up at half time through Cedric Main and Tom Platt, and even though Fylde pulled one back, Quakers kept their composure and Will McGowan scored the third.

Here are the goals:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kroysgzDY8

Here are Terry's thoughts on the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ea0b7eT_MI

Quakers will now play Telford in the fourth qualifying round at Blackwell Meadows on 11th October

Fylde went close in the first minute when Tom Whelan picked the ball up in midfield, ran forward, and hit a right foot shot that went just past the post.

Quakers replied with a free kick by Charlie Lennon that bounced in front of keeper Zac Jones, who saved at the second attempt.

Scott Barrow made a good defensive header from a left wing cross, as Fylde tried to step up the pace.

Quakers nearly broke through on 9 minutes, when Will McGowan found Will Hatfield in the box, and the former Fylde player hit a right foot shot that beat Jones but came back off the right hand post.

Elliot Forbes then tried his luck from 25 yards, but the ball went over the top.

Fylde, still going at a fast pace, attacked again, and Ryan Colclough cut in from the left and hit a right foot shot straight at Jameson.

Quakers countered, and Tom Platt found Charlie Lennon overlapping down the right, and he burst away and whipped a right foot cross into the six yard box where Maskell just failed to connect.

Colclough dribbled down the left and worked his way into a dangerous position, but Toby Lees managed to get a foot in.

Quakers took the lead on 26 minutes, when McGowan threaded a perfect ball through the middle for Cedric Main to cleverly steer past the advancing Jones into the net for his third goal of the season.

It was nearly 2-0 on 29 minutes when the outstanding Lennon cleverly dribbled past three men on the right and crossed into the middle where Maskell headed over from six yards.

Fylde responded with a good effort by Colclough that Jameson saved at the foot of his post.

Lennon again caused panic in the Fylde defence when he picked the ball up, ran at the defence, and fired just wide of the left hand post.

Quakers were now well on top, and went 2-0 up just on half time. McGowan curled the ball in perfectly from the right, for Platt to glance the ball past Jones, only his second goal for the club.

Half time: Darlington 2 Fylde 0

Fylde made two subs at half time, and as expected made most of the early running in the second half. They carved out a chance for sub Danny Mayor, who fired into the side netting from an acute angle, then Jameson made a good save at his near post from a Luca Thomas shot.

Quakers had to make a sub on 54 minutes when Scott Barrow, who had been fouled in the first half, limped off and was replaced by Ben Hedley.

Straight after the restart, Quakers nearly scored when Main cut in from the left and fired just wide.

But Fylde pulled one back on 56 minutes when George Wilson picked the ball up on the corner of the box, and fired past Jameson.

However Quakers bounced back in style. Hatfield won a tackle well inside his own half and found Lennon, who ran 60 yards before pulling the ball back for McGowan to take a to control and then volley past Jones to huge cheers, his fourth goal of the season.

Fylde had a penalty shout when Thomas claimed that he was pushed by Platt, but the referee gave a goal kick instead.

Quakers made their second sub on 75 minutes, Ellis Stanton coming on for Hatfield.

It was nearly 4-1 though when a bouncing ball caused chaos in the Fylde defence, and Jones just managed to block Main’s shot.

Quakers made their third sub on 83 minutes, Tom Allan replacing Main.

Fylde had a couple of free kicks in the closing stages, but Quakers kept their composure and held on for a great win and a place in the last qualifying round for the first time in five years.

Darlington 3 Fylde 1

Team: Jameson, Barton, Lees, Forbes,Barrow (sub Hedley 54), Platt, Hatfield (sub Stanton 75), McGowan, Lennon (sub Rutledge 89), Main (sub Allan 82), Maskell

Subs: Cornish, McGrath, Griffiths,

Booking: McGowan