FC United cross the Pennines for Tuesday's trip to Frickley

FC United travel to Frickley Athletic tonight looking to get back to winning ways to keep in touch with the teams at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division and the Reds hope to be boosted by the return from injury of Oliver Banks.

Banks missed Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Rushall Olympic after requiring hospital treatment and an x-ray following a challenge by Witton Albion’s Oliver James last Tuesday, a tackle which resulted in a red card. The good news is Banks’ leg was just badly bruised and he may be fit enough to return tonight. The Reds are also hoping international clearance will be granted in time to be able to give a debut to 21-year-old creative midfielder Callum Byrne, who spent last season in the Conference with Hyde as well as a loan spell at Colwyn Bay of the Conference North.

Manager Karl Marginson admitted that he was keen to put Saturday’s defeat behind him. He said: “It was just one of those days - very frustrating. On another day, one of our chances in the first half would have gone in and Rushall would have had to change their game plan. But we have to put it behind us, move on and get ready for a tough game at Frickley.???

Margy did admit though that Saturday’s match had given him things to think about and he would be working on improving United’s response to going a goal down against the more defensive teams. He said: “At the end we were just trying to force a goal and I don’t think it really suits us. I’ll have to have a look at it. We went 3-4-3 at the end and they found it quite easy to deal with. But we needed the ball near the goal as quickly as possible and when we’re forced into situations like that, it possibly goes against what we normally do.???

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s game, United will be encouraged by our excellent record against our West Yorkshire hosts. In 12 encounters over the last five years, the Reds have won eight, drawn three and lost only once and that defeat came in a Northern Premier League Challenge Cup match.

The match takes place this Tuesday at Westfield Lane, South Elmsall with a kick-off time of 7.45pm. Get yourself to that football ground and cheer the lads back towards the top of the table.