Darlington ask fans to help root out cup tie hooligans

National League North Darlington are asking their supporters to help them identify the fans who invaded the pitch and set off fireworks during their FA Cup replay with Walsall on Wednesday night.
The Quakers launched an appeal for information, video footage and camera images of the incidents during the 1-0 first round defeat as they prepared to host Gainsboorugh Trinity on Saturday in the third qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Trophy.
Under the headline “Pyrotechnic incidents and pitch incursions – appeal for witnesses”, the Quakers condemned the incidents during the televised tie at Blackwell Meadows on BT Sports as “totally unacceptable and illegal”.
Appealing for help and co-operation, the statement read: “Following the incidents involving pyrotechnics both at the beginning and end of our FA Cup tie against Walsall on Wednesday night, Darlington FC would like help in identifying the people who brought them into the ground and/or threw them on to the playing surface.
“We are all for fans enjoying themselves and creating a positive atmosphere, however this behaviour is inconsiderate to other fans, totally unacceptable and illegal.
“We would also like help in identifying those few individuals who climbed the barrier and entered the field of play at the end of the game.
“Despite the publication of advice on our official website and social media several days beforehand and the matchday programme stating that pyrotechnics and pitch incursions are contrary to our ground regulations, the pyrotechnics were still carried inside the ground and then projected on to the pitch.
“Therefore, Darlington Football Club would like to identify the people concerned, and in turn take the necessary action.
“If you have any video footage or camera images of the incidents, or can help identify the people concerned by other means, then please email, in strictest confidence, Secretary Dave Watson on [email protected]”
Caolan Lavery’s second-half goal sent Walsall into the FA Cup second round at the expense of the Quakers.
The striker Lavery settled their first-round replay with a near-post header to book the Saddlers a home tie against League One Oxford United.
Image courtesy of @Official_Darlo/Twitter