FC United aiming for play-off place with Worksop 'cup final'

FC United welcome Worksop Town to Gigg Lane for Saturday’s Youth United Day - where under-18s attend free of charge – knowing that a victory will either put the Reds into the play-off places for the first time since September or leave them just one point behind potentially three of their promotion rivals.

Karl Marginson’s side currently lie in sixth place, one point behind Bradford Park Avenue, who they beat 5-2 twice this season, and three points behind Chorley and Hednesford, the latter who they beat for the second time this year just last weekend.

With third placed Chorley entertaining fourth placed Hednesford, only a draw in that match will prevent FC United from leapfrogging one of the two sides, if they take all three points against Worksop because the Reds have superior goal difference than all of their closest promotion contenders.

Although, a stalemate at Victory Park between their play-off rivals could in fact be the best result in the long run as it will allow United to make up ground on both the Magpies and the Pitmen.

United will be in confident mood going into the fixture having won four of the last five and being undefeated at home since 7th January. The Reds have a very strong record against Saturday’s visitors too with six wins, one draw and just one defeat against the Tigers since the sides first met in September 2008, including a 3-2 victory in November during our first ever visit to their actual home ground at Babbage Way.

But Margy knows his players still have it all to do and they must not be complacent. He said: “I keep saying it, and it is a cliché, but every game from now until the end of the season is a cup final. We have to win each one. Worksop come here on Saturday with no pressure on them and they will be keen to upset our apple cart.???

Everyone was delighted with the result last Saturday and Margy revealed the inspiration for victory came from Old Trafford, although not from United. He explained: “We’ve been working a lot recently on pressing and closing down the opposition. The squad watched the United – Athletic Bilbao match together the other week and it was evident for all to see what those type of tactics can achieve. We have got a group of players who understand the importance of working hard and they all really want to do it, which is excellent.???

And Margy was full of praise for the players’ attitude off the pitch too: “I know we have the players to make the play-offs and the team spirit at this time of the season is absolutely first class. We have players that not only play at a high standard but they also get what this club is about.

“The scenes at the end of the Hednesford game last Saturday sum up what this club is about, with players and fans celebrating together. Not only was it an important three points but we had also received the great news about the £1.6m community shares target being hit. The players live for this club, just as the fans do, so any kind of news like that definitely has a positive effect on them too. It spurs them on because they want to be part of this club’s future.???

The Reds expect to have a fully fit squad to take on Worksop on Saturday, with Carlos Roca available for selection again after missing last week’s trip to the West Midlands due to a bout of flu.

FC United of Manchester versus Worksop Town is this Saturday at Gigg Lane with a 3pm kick-off. It’s £8 adults, £5 concessions and people under the age of 18 pay absolutely nothing to watch our team of red shirted heroes continue their charge towards a shot at promotion to the Conference North. Get yourself to that football ground.