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Margy signs goalkeepers whilst relishing the extra pressure of being league leaders

Margy signs goalkeepers whilst relishing the extra pressure of being league leaders  FC United manager Karl Marginson admits there is extra pressure now that we are top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division with eight games to go but he says it’s something everyone welcomes and should help bring the best out of the players.

The Reds are on 10 game winning run, which saw us move up to top spot on Tuesday night. Next up, we welcome Matlock to Gigg Lane this Saturday, knowing that the title and promotion to the Conference North is firmly in our own hands.

Having signed cover for our strikers last week in the form of on loan Chesterfield striker Jacob Hazel, Margy has this week added two extra goalkeepers to his squad ahead of the Evo-Stik transfer deadline on 27th March. Former Manchester United shot-stopper Nick Culkin has been recruited from Prescot Cables, whilst Andy Robertson joins after spending the season with Trafford and Runcorn Linnets on a dual registration.

Margy said: “There definitely is some extra pressure now that we’re top of the league, rather than being in the chasing pack, but it’s pressure that is well earned and we all welcome it. The players deserve to be top of the league but now they have to continue demonstrating why. They will thrive on the extra pressure and it will help them to keep on top of their game.???

Never one to get carried away, Margy knows his side are now in the driving seat but there is a long way to go. “Nobody should get ahead of themselves, there are eight games to go and there will be plenty of tests ahead, some of our own making and others that aren’t.???

He gave a reminder that sometimes the tests come off the pitch in non-league football, by adding: “On Tuesday night, the traffic getting to Witton Albion was horrific and two or three of the players arrived only 45 minutes before kick-off, which is far from ideal preparation. We came through that test but there will be plenty more to come.???

Explaining the reasons for bringing on board two goalkeepers for the run-in, Margy said: “I really hope I don’t have to use them because Dave Carnell has been immense since he joined but we don’t want to leave anything to chance, so I’ve brought in Nick and Andy for extra cover.???

And FC United’s ever present manager expects to have a full squad to choose from tomorrow apart from the now long term injury absentees of James Spencer, Chris Worsley and Matthew Walwyn, who are all most likely to be out for the rest of the season.

Worsley has undergone an anterior cruciate ligament scan this week and is awaiting results, whilst Spencer is recovering from a similar knee injury and Walwyn has a slim chance of featuring again this season after being stretchered off last week in the 4-0 victory over Stafford Rangers.

United’s opponents this weekend currently lie in ninth position and have an outside chance of making the play-offs. The record between the two clubs couldn’t be more equal with four wins, three draws and 21 goals each in our 11 encounters over the last six years. The Reds will be looking to tip the balance in our favour on Saturday.

FC United of Manchester versus Matlock is this Saturday at Gigg Lane at the supporter-friendly and traditional kick-off time of three o’clock. It’s pay on the gate as usual with prices voted for by our members; £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and £2 for under-18s. Get yourself to that football ground for the title run-in.



First Posted ~ 14:04 Fri 28 Mar 2014
News ID ~ 5438
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021