FC United aim to extend lead at top of table with win at Rushall Olympic

FC United are looking to extend our lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division table on Tuesday night as we travel to Rushall Olympic in search of a club-record-equalling 12th consecutive league victory.

The Reds are currently three points clear at the top of the table and, with nearest rivals Skelmersdale United and Workington not in action until Saturday, a win could put FC United six points clear. That will depend on how fourth placed Ilkeston, who are five points behind the Reds, get on away at Blyth Spartans.

Regardless of how our rivals perform, Karl Marginson’s side know that the league title is in their own hands with 14 games to go. However, there are plenty of tough games still to come including tonight’s trip to Rushall.

FC United have met The Pics seven times previously since 2011 and the West Midlands outfit are one of the few clubs in the Evo-Stik league that have the upper hand in our head-to-head record. The Reds have lost three times to Rushall whilst beating them twice and there have been two draws. Margy and the players will be looking to level up that record tonight.

Whilst the Reds have been flying high, our hosts have been in mid-table for most of the season but they have enjoyed three wins and one draw in their last five games including a 4-0 win at Kings Lynn on Saturday and a 2-1 home victory over Curzon Ashton two weeks ago.

Other than long term injuries, Margy expects to have a full squad to choose from. Winger Craig Lindfield should be available after a thigh strain kept him out of Saturday’s win at Grantham and centre-back Lewis Lacy is expected to recover from a knock, which saw him substituted in the same match. However, Margy may consider recalling Chris Lynch to the first team following his impressive goal scoring appearance at Grantham as a substitute for Lacy.

If FC United do win tonight, the victory will equal a club record of 12 consecutive league victories, which has been achieved twice before - en route to our second title in the North West Counties League during August to October 2006 and in February and March last year when we missed out of the Evo-Stik Premier Division title by just one point.

If you can make the trip to the West Midlands tonight, get yourself to that football ground to cheer on the lads – it’s pay on the gate as usual.