FC United aim to finally beat Buxton at home in FA Trophy

FC United are hoping to finally record a home win against Buxton at the eighth attempt as we welcome our Evo-Stik Premier Division rivals to Bower Fold this Saturday afternoon for the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy.

The Reds will be without striker Michael Norton, who is expected to be out until February with a ruptured cruciate ligament, as we face the Bucks for the third time in three months. However, Matthew Wolfenden is available for tomorrow’s game before serving a three match suspension for being sent off against our opponents at the beginning of the month.

Both teams gained a place in the second qualifying round courtesy of 2-0 home wins, with FC United beating Padiham and the Bucks defeating Ashton United. The two teams have met each other 14 times before in the last six years, and the Bucks hold the upper-hand with six wins to United’s four. Ominously, Karl Marginson’s sides have never beaten the Derbyshire outfit at home – despite seven attempts, five of which we’ve lost. That’s something we’ll be looking to put right tomorrow.

The good news is FC United are unbeaten in the last seven matches, although we did lose on penalties to Curzon Ashton in the Doodson Sport Cup on Monday night, whilst Buxton have lost two matches in the same period – away to Grantham Town and Rushall Olympic.

The Bucks are flying high in the league but United have matched them twice this season with 1-1 draws at home and away – both times with 10 men as Andy Pearson and Wolfenden were sent off. If the players can keep their discipline and stick to the task with 11 men on the pitch, there is no reason why FC United can’t record our first ever home victory over the Silverlands club.

Margy said: "It promises to be a cracking tie. It is a one-off cup game so league form doesn’t matter, but the closeness of our sides in terms of competitiveness was there for all to see when we came away from Silverlands with a 1-1 draw a couple of weeks ago. We will take heart from that result with 10 men."

FC United versus Buxton is this Saturday at Bower Fold with the traditional, supporter friendly kick-off time of three o’clock. It’s pay on the gate as usual with entrance prices voted for by our members - £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and £2 for under-18s. Get yourself to that football ground.