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FC United eye place-off places as high-flying Chester visit

This Saturday, FC United entertain the Evo-Stik Premier Division’s most in-form club, second placed Chester at Gigg Lane knowing that a win could move the Reds into the play-off places and right back into the mix for promotion.

Despite the disappointment of our FA Cup exit two weeks ago, United are beginning to show some good form in the league with a run of three victories and one draw. However, although the wins over Burscough, Whitby and Frickley Athletic have all been vital, Chester pose a much tougher task on paper.

Our fellow supporter-owned club are currently enjoying a nine game unbeaten run and haven’t tasted defeat in any competition since 29th August when they lost 4-1 at Nantwich. The Seals currently sit three points behind leaders Northwich Victoria and they will be hoping to take all three points at Gigg Lane which would put them on top of the table for the first time this season, if the Vics come unstuck at Matlock.

Chester boast an average home attendance of 2,559 and will no doubt be backed by several hundred supporters in the away end on Saturday afternoon – an unusual sight for Gigg Lane. But despite having to take on heavily backed, high-flying opposition, FC United’s players, who have a history of rising to the big occasions, will be quietly confident that they can get something out of the match.

The Reds have been boasted recently with the return of top scorer Matthew Wolfenden, who has scored two in his first two starts since recovering from a hamstring injury which kept him out for six games during September. Strikers Ben Deegan and Mike Norton have both been back in the goals with Norton getting the first two at Burscough and Deegan chipping in with two audacious finishes against Whitby and Frickley.

Manager Karl Margisnon was particular pleased with Tuesday night’s victory at Frickley. He said: “The win against Frickley was a very professional performance from the lads and I was impressed with how they went about their business. I’ve been critical of them but they’ve responded excellently.

“Every one of the players did their jobs as we asked, winning their individual battles all over the park which is exactly what’s needed to win football matches. The bare minimum we ask for is that they work harder than the opposition. After that we hope our quality will show through. On Tuesday they did that and got their rewards. We shouldn’t get too over-excited as we would expect to beat Frickley, who are below us in the league but we’ve moved in the right direction.???

United have met Chester three times since their formation last summer but haven’t managed to beat them, with the standings currently one draw and two defeats. Margy believes it’s about time FC United started improving that record and acknowledged the role that our supporters can play in helping the team to achieve that.

He said: “It’s likely that Chester will bring a fair few fans on Saturday but they won’t have seen a crowd like ours for a while, so I’m sure our supporters will rise to the occasion and the players will respond. If we play to the best of our ability then there is no one in this division we can’t beat.???

Margy may be tempted to name an unchanged side from Tuesday night’s victory but he may also consider giving a first full start to Astley Mulholland, who made his debut from the bench at Frickley after recently signing from our Conference North neighbours, Altrincham. The left winger scored more than 40 goals for Flixton in the North West Counties Premier Division last season but has seen appearances limited at Alty since moving back to the club in August.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Holden is now back at the club after a brief spell at Curzon Ashton and will be hoping to force himself into Margy’s plans. And Steve Torpey is hopeful of returning to the action after sitting out our last four matches with a hamstring strain.

FC United versus Chester is this Saturday at Gigg Lane with a traditional three o’clock kick-off. It’s pay on the gate as usual with entrance fees at £8 for adults, £5 concessions and £2 for under-18s. Get yourself to that football ground and cheer the lads on in the biggest game of the season so far.



First Posted ~ 19:00 Sat 15 Oct 2011
News ID ~ 3821
Last Updated ~ 00:47 Tue 16 Feb 2021