FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester FC United of Manchester Badge FC United of Manchester Pitch In

FC United look to secure third place against Frickley

FC United look to secure third place against FrickleyFC United host Frickley Athletic at Gigg Lane on Saturday knowing that we’re already guaranteed a place in the Evo-Stik Premier Division play-offs whilst home advantage in Tuesday night’s semi-final will be secured unless the Reds lose and Witton Albion can surpass our goal difference tally, which is currently nine superior.

If United do the business, we will face Witton Albion or AFC Fylde at Gigg Lane on Tuesday night. A home win for Witton against sixth place Rushall Olympic will see the Cheshire club secure fourth place and therefore a fixture against FC United on Tuesday. If Witton fail to win and Fylde beat Hednesford, then Fylde will be our opponents. If FC United lose and Witton do manage to pull off a remarkable leapfrogging win on the last day of the season, the two clubs will still meet on Tuesday but at Albion’s Wincham Park.

It’s also not a done deal yet about which club will take the title and which club will contest the play-offs as runners-up. North Ferriby and Hednesford both have 90 points with Ferriby leading the table due to having a superior goal difference by eight goals. Ferriby host Ashton United knowing that a win will mean automatic promotion, barring an unprecedented double-figured victory by Hednesford away at Fylde. However, if there are any slip ups at Grange Lane and Ferriby don’t take all three points, the Pics could be in line to sneak the title on the last day providing they can better Ferriby’s draw or defeat.

With that all sorted, manager Karl Marginson is looking ahead to the play-offs and admits he has a real selection headache. Margy said: “I’ve given myself a lot of problems with the side I selected for our win at Rushall last weekend. The players who came in did a great job and now I have huge decisions to make on who plays on Saturday and in the play-offs. When I talk to the players I always say that I believe in all of them and, whichever team I pick, I know they will go out and perform. Saturday was a great opportunity to show faith in the players who have been really patient and shown great attitudes this season.

“They repaid it and provided an absolute headache for me but it shows the strength of the squad. I have no idea what side I will be putting out on Saturday. I will have to see how training goes before deciding on a team. There will be no pressure on us, having already secured our place in the play-offs, but I want to see the players staking a claim for a position on Tuesday. I want us to express ourselves and put on a show for you lot. There will be no taking the foot off the pedal from us, I can assure you of that.???

And Marg added: “We have Adam Jones and James Spencer out and it is not the first time we have had key players injured at this time of the season. I would like to think the difference this year is that we have a better squad and goalkeeper Jon Worsnop’s invaluable contribution is proof of that. Jerome Wright is a doubt with an ankle niggle but as everyone knows he will be desperate to play and he will be key to Tuesday night.???

FC United of Manchester versus Frickley Athletic this Saturday is our last league match of the season. It’s pay on the gate as usual at the traditional time of three o’clock with prices voted for by our members - £8 adults, £5 concessions and £2 for under-18s. Get yourself to that football ground.



First Posted ~ 19:57 Fri 3 May 2013
News ID ~ 4886
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021