FC United of Manchester - Home
Season 12 (H) 27/11/10 FA Cup R2 - 1-1 ~ Sandaza
You may know that in recent years, Man Utd had a few probs off the pitch with disgruntled supporters objecting to US owners from the Glazer family. Well, they broke away and set up their own football club a few seasons ago. United played in grassroots leagues and quickly climbed up the footy pyramid. They started this tie over 100 places below Albion but had easily sold their allocation of 900 tickets and probably coulda got enough support for 1300 seats. On the day, over 5300 turned up on a freezing cold afternoon but Withdean's vulnerable frost-pocket pitch had been covered, so there was no real worry of postponement.
Brighton dominated play in the first half but didn't make most of chances that regularly cropped up. Then would you Adam & Eve it, United scored first with a free shot from outside the area (40min). Gus Poyet put ex-SPL striker Sandaza on from start of the second period with orders to get goals. He had opportunities but didn't notch immediately. On the hour mark, Hart also got on to bolster a powder-puff attack. Ten mins later visitors were reduced to ten men for violent conduct (70min). For the last quarter of an hour, Battipiedi next joined BHA ranks in search of that illusive score. Brighton battered non-league opponents defence, which was all their numbers but one up front of the away outfit. Then asst mngr Taricco, who was returning to pro football after years of not playing, got off a header and Sandaza bagged a late equaliser (83m). Hey, it wasn't over until it was over and Ref only gave sad Seagulls a penalty deep in stoppage time. Goalie saved Bennett's spot kick and the sure FCUM custodian was voted MoM - for this last block from a string of fine stops. Perhaps United were lucky but could you say Albion were merely unlucky from another below par cup tie?
Brezovan, Taricco, Elphick, Dunk, Painter, Bennett, Kishishev (Battipiedi), Bridcutt, Baz (Hart), Barnes, Murray (Sandaza).

FC United of Manchester - Away
Season 12 (A) 8/12/10 FAC2 replay - 4-0 ~ Sandaza, Calderon, Bennett, Sparrow.
This second meeting was held at Bury's Gigg Lane ground, on a very cold evening when record attendance was given as 7k. TV cameras covered the contest live and so all efforts were made to get the game on in a week of freezing temperatures nationwide. Saturday's previous league match at Withdean got snowed off, so Gus Poyet was thus able to field a strong team in lieu of squad players like before with rounds 1&2. The pitch quickly became frozen, which made the result slightly unpredictable. Useful travelling support got along to add renditions of 'good old Sussex by the sea' to a buzzing cup-tie atmosphere. Locals hoped for an upset but would have been glad to celebrate a goal under any circumstances really.
Albion took the game to United from k-o, where the home side fell back behind the ball. Bennett went forward but it was Sandaza who pounced in predatory style inside half an hour (25min). Just before h-t, Calderon sneaked upfield unmarked to head home Bennett's cross (45m). United pressed a bit more in the second period and were given a penalty with plenty of time left to score twice. Unfortunately the ball rebounded off a post and B'ton knew our luck was in favour tonight. Poyet made a couple of subs to keep up pressure as an attacking force. In late stages, league1 table-toppers enjoyed superiority and increased the winning margin fairly easily. Bennett was set up by Sandaza (86m), then Hart squared for Sparrow to tap in at the death (90m). The home side were not disgraced in a match that kinda er, slipped away from 'em. Ref also had a good one and no cards were shown either in treacherous conditions. This was cut and thrust of the Cup, played in a true spirit of fair competition.
Brezovan, Calderon, Greer, El-Abd, Painter, Bennett, Bridcutt, Kishishev (Smith), Bennett (Baz), Murray (Hart), Sandaza.