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Chadwick returns for FC United's trip to Frickley

Club captain David Chadwick is in line to make his third appearance of 2011 as FC United look to get back to winning ways in West Yorkshire this Saturday.

The Reds’ fine run of form – four consecutive victories - came to an end on Tuesday night with a 3-2 defeat at Kendal Town and frustratingly all three goals conceded were from set-pieces. After witnessing Chaddy’s no-nonsense style of play over the last five years, at first glance it may appear that manager Karl Marginson has decided to recall the veteran centre-back to sure up the defence with a bit of experience.

However, Margy says there’s more to it than that: “Karl Munroe is unavailable due to work commitments this Saturday and Martin Parker sustained some ankle ligament damage during the Hucknall game so Chaddy will get the nod.???

Margy was quick to praise his longest serving players. He said: “We’ve had to use Chaddy and Simon Carden more sparingly this year as they’re getting a bit older and they’ve both been very good about it. Obviously, they want to be out there playing but I think by being a bit more selective we are getting the best out of them. Simon has been fantastic in the last few games he’s played but we’ll probably have to give him a rest on Saturday.???

Another veteran player who Margy had a few words about was the retiring Glynn Hurst, who is hanging up his boots at the age of 35 to concentrate on studying for his degree: “We wish him all the best, he’s been a fantastic person to have at the club and he’s got to do what’s right for him. Good luck to him.???

Goalkeeper Zach Hibbert has also left the club to join Clitheroe of the Evo-Stik Division One North but Margy doesn’t expect that to be a permanent move: “It’s an unofficial loan deal. Zach came to us over the summer but then had the operation on his nose and since then Sam’s (Ashton) form has been magnificent. Zach has gone to get some games under his belt at Clitheroe with the agreement that we can have him back if anything happens to Sam.???

Kyle Jacobs has been told he needs a double hernia operation and he is currently seeking funding from the PFA to have the treatment done as quickly as possible. Another injury absentee is Steve Torpey. The midfielder is yet to make a full competitive appearance for the club since his return but is now in rehab. Margy said: “Steve’s still with the club but I have to let him decide when he is ready to come back playing. It might not be this season.???

Centre-back Mark Ayres is keeping match fit at Irlam FC and a number of youngsters; Carl Fitton, Jordan Dainty, Harrison Reeve, and Ryan Lyons are progressing under the watchful eye of former FC United captain Dave Brown as he now manages Rochdale Town. Fellow youth team member Josh Burke is doing the same at Radcliffe.

Margy said: “We’ve got high hopes for many of these lads but if they are going to get better they need to start playing against grown men. It’s very difficult to throw them in at our level so they’ll get some valuable experience a step or two below.???

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game; Ben Deegan (hamstring), James Holden (ankle)and Jake Cottrell (knee) are all facing late fitness tests but Margy is confident that he has the squad to cope to come back from West Yorkshire with all three points.

He said: “I thought we played better on Tuesday night when we lost 3-2 than we did on Saturday when we won 4-1. That happens in football sometimes. We have to cut out silly individual errors and stop giving away cheap free-kicks, if we do that we’re playing good enough football to get up the table.???



First Posted ~ 22:34 Fri 28 Jan 2011
News ID ~ 3380
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021