FA CUP MATCH REPORT: Swindon Town 1-2 Darlington FC

SWINDON TOWN’s defensive frailties were exposed once again, as they suffered another FA Cup upset, this time at the hands of National League North side Darlington who ran out 2-1 winners at the County Ground.

A goal from Adam Campbell and an own-goal from Jonathan Grounds either side of a Brett Pitman equaliser saw Town dumped out of the cup. Total Sport Swindon’s Rajan Hothi gives his match report from SN1.  

Ellis Iandolo and Brett Pitman were handed starts by Noel Hunt as Town looked to the FA Cup as a welcomed distraction from the league. Jordan Stevens was a late addition to the starting eleven, as he replaced Dion Donohue who felt his groin pre-match. 

Visitors Darlington had also made an uninspiring start to their campaign in the National League North, winning just one of their opening three games, and they had their ‘keeper Jonathon Saltmer to thank for not being 2-0 down early in the clash. 

Iandolo saw his close-range header from a free-kick brilliantly stopped by Saltmer, before the Darlington shot-stopper was on-hand to prevent Joel Grant from capping off a brilliant Swindon move – which saw a slick one-two with Brett Pitman, as Town stamped their authority early doors.  

However, the National League North side had the ball in the net after 20 minutes courtesy of Luke Charman’s close-range strike, but the offside flag put a stop to the Darlington celebrations. 

After a delay for a change in linesman, great skill saw Matt Smith send through Brett Pitman, but the striker could not get a shot away as the chance passed. 

Town were made to pay for not taking their early chances, as just after the half-hour mark another defensive mistake saw Darlington take the lead. A poor attempted header from Jonathan Grounds back to Matej Kovar left the latter stranded, as Adam Campbell took advantage to put the visitors ahead. 

However, Swindon hit back five minutes before the half-time interval. A lovely defence-splitting pass from Matt Smith allowed Joel Grant to pass the ball across goal where Brett Pitman tapped home to restore parity.  

The sides went into the half-time break level, with Swindon having the better chances, but once again being forced to suffer due to defensive mistakes.  

Swindon started the second-half the stronger, as a nice one-two between Smith and Payne saw the former with space in the box, but the on-loan Arsenal midfielder could not pull the trigger before Darlington cleared. 

Another chance presented itself to Town before the hour-mark, but once again Swindon could not convert. Good work from Jordan Stevens saw him win the ball back, and tee up Joel Grant, but the latter could only fire over from the edge of the box, as another chance went begging.  

Darlington took advantage of Swindon’s wastefulness in front of goal, as they retook the lead in fortuitous circumstances. Campbell’s shot took a wicked deflection off Grounds, and wrong-footed Kovar, as Swindon fell behind again with just half-an-hour left.  

Hallam Hope replaced Jack Payne as Swindon pushed for an equaliser, and the 26-year-old forced a near-post save from Saltmer with Darlington understandably happy to sit back with their lead.  

Darlington had a penalty appeal turned down at the other end as Jarrett Rivers went down under the challenge of Iandolo, but referee Declan Bourne felt the Darlington man went down too easily.  

Town were almost punished for another defensive mistake with 15 minutes left. Akin Odimayo was caught dawdling with the ball, but Kovar made a vital save to prevent Campbell from bagging his brace, and Darlington’s place in round two.  

However, Swindon could not find an opening to get themselves back into the encounter, and they extended their poor form against Non-League sides in the FA Cup as Darlington advanced into round two.