Reds' focus is total ahead of trip to Stamford

FC United of Manchester travel to Stamford this Saturday for an away game at the new Zeeco Stadium, at which the hosts expect to see the biggest crowd ever at their new home.

The Reds currently lead the Evo-Stik Premier League by seven points with a game in hand and face 18th placed Stamford who are 35 points behind United having played a game more than their opponents. Despite the gap between the two sides, FC United manager Karl Marginson won’t be taking the Daniels for granted. “Like every side we play, we’ve had Stamford watched and the reports back from their 2-2 draw with Trafford last week suggest that they are a useful side,??? said Marginson.

“It’s nice for our supporters to be visiting a new ground and that’s something to look forward to for them so like last week at Halesowen we should expect a decent turnout. For our part, we’re focused on continuing in our good run of form so that we achieve the targets we set ourselves at the start at the season.???

Margy is pleased with the hard work and togetherness being shown by his side, no more so than during the battling 1-0 midweek home win over Workington AFC. “That was a great three points from a hard fought game,??? he said. “we probably should have won more comfortably than we did given the chances we had. We also allowed a few mistakes to creep into our play towards the end of the game but I’m not too concerned about that. When we are creating chances it doesn’t worry me one bit. Even at 1-0 up we were still going forward at the end of the game trying to get more goals and you have to be pleased with that.???

FC’s players are gaining confidence from the run of results they’ve been getting and it’s a confidence that is permeating the whole squad. No-one will be getting carried away however and the old football cliché about taking every game as it comes has never been more relevant. “I know it’s boring to say it but we really are just taking each game as it comes,??? said Marginson. “If you start looking too far ahead then you lose focus and things can start to go wrong. The run we are on speaks for itself and the results we are getting shows that the focus is there and the messages that the coaching staff are putting across to the players are being taken on board.

“Saturday is all about us. If we perform then we should deliver. The players know that. We have pretty much a full squad to choose from, which gives me a few selection headaches, but you are going to get that with a good squad. And it is about the squad; it’s never ever going to be about 11 players. Our players understand that and the lads who miss out will all be there supporting their team mates to get the result we need.???

Stamford v FC United of Manchester kicks off at 3pm at the Zeeco Stadium, Borderville Sports Centre, Ryhall Road, Stamford. Get there early as a large crowd is expected and cheer on Margy and his side to another three points as the Reds bid to extend their lead at the top of the table.