FC United need belief and hard work to beat Chesterfield in Emirates FA Cup

Belief and hard work are the two vital ingredients if FC United are going to beat League One opposition Chesterfield in the First Round Proper of the Emirates FA Cup, according to manager Karl Marginson.

The Reds welcome the Spireites to Broadhurst Park on Monday night, in a match which has been moved to accommodate BT Sport’s live broadcast of the fixture. It’s the second time in our 10 year history that FC United have made it through to the first round of the oldest cup competition in the world.

Five years ago, Margy’s men caused an almighty upset by beating Rochdale 3-2 at Spotland. Everyone at the club will be hoping to make history again by claiming a League One scalp for the second time on Monday night.

Apart from long term injuries, FC United expect to have a full squad of players available, which will include just two remaining players who were involved in that victory at Rochdale. Five years on, captain Jerome Wright will almost definitely be in the starting XI again, whilst the man he created the unforgettable winner for that night, Mike Norton will be hoping for a place on the bench as he continues trying to force his way back into the squad.

Margy said: “All the players are really up for it and I’ve got another selection headache. We’ve seen over the weekend with Salford (beating Notts County) and Altrincham (beating Barnsley) that with belief and hard work upsets can happen. That’s exactly what we need on Monday. The players believe in themselves but they have to match that with the workrate.???

Like many supporters, Margy admits that having to play the match on a Monday isn’t his favoured day of the week. He said: “We would have preferred for the match to have been on Saturday or Friday but we approach the game just like any other.???

Numerous supporters have signalled their intentions to boycott some or all of the game to highlight their disapproval of the match being moved to Monday night. Margy understands the protests but is concentrating on his job.

He said: “It hasn’t affected our preparations for the match. In a democracy people have the right to protest and I understand their reasons. However, we have a job to do. We’ve entered a team into the competition and, as always, we’ll be looking to win the match.???

The FA Cup has provided a welcome break from poor league form for FC United. The Reds haven’t won in the league for nearly two months but victories in the previous rounds of the FA Cup over Buxton and Sporting Khalsa as well as Glossop North End (on penalties) in the Manchester Premier Cup mean United have won three out of their last six matches.

Chesterfield come into the game with the same form, three wins and three defeats from their last six, albeit against teams three divisions above FC United. The Derbyshire club are 11th in League One, 79 places above the Reds who have slipped down to 17th in the Vanarama National League North.

The match sees a welcome return to FC United for two former players, Charlie Raglan and Ollie Banks. Both moved directly to the Spireites from the Reds and continue to hold FC United in high esteem.

Raglan told Chesterfield’s official website: “We’ll treat FC United with the utmost respect. I know playing at that level that when you do get a team from a higher league you do tend to get a lot more out of every player. As much as it’ll be nice to go back, the emotion will go to one side once we’re warming up and once we’re there.???

Speaking about FC United and the fans, he added: ““It’s all friendly, it’s a football club that wants to win but they see the bigger picture and that’s why they fell out of love with modern football. You don’t get that amount of away or home support at that level, everywhere you went, even playing Frickley on a Tuesday night, they make it an atmosphere like Old Trafford, for me that may be the closest I’ll get to playing there.???

FC United of Manchester versus Chesterfield is this Monday at Broadhurst Park with a 7.45pm kick-off. The match is all ticket.