FC United eye fourth place on Tuesday night

FC United will move up to fourth place in the Evo-Stik Premier Division if they can beat Kendal Town at Gigg Lane on Tuesday night as the Reds play one of several games-in-hand where they will be looking to record their sixth consecutive victory.

Karl Marginson’s side are in fine fettle, having started 2013 with four wins out of four. With that added to their mid-December win over Grantham, the resurgent Reds have climbed into the play-off places and now the team is looking to cement its place in the top five and possibly even mount a title challenge.

United have at least three games-in-hand on all of the teams about them and victory in those would put them into third, above Witton Albion and Marine, but behind North Ferriby United and Hednesford Town.

Margy is enjoying seeing his players getting the results he knows they are capable of. He said: “We showed another side to our game on Saturday during the 3-0 win at Buxton. It was a difficult pitch but we dug in. In the first half, we were trying to be a bit intricate but after the break we used the ball better. We can also do the graft and dig out chances and, when you have the quality we have up front then, you are always going to get goals.???

Michael Norton capped his 100th appearance for the club with two goals, taking his tally up to 69 during his two and a half years with the club, and seemed to relish playing alongside another recognised striker at the weekend. Margy was impressed: “I thought Mike Norton and Tom Greaves showed signs of knitting together well, which is very positive considering it is the first time they have played together for a decent amount of time. They can only get better as that partnership builds.

"The fact that I was able to bring both of them off and replace them with two other quality players in Rhodri Giggs and Greg Daniels, tells a very good story about the strength of our squad.???

And Margy knows that being able to rest players will become increasingly important as we get into the business end of the season. He said: “Games are going to come thick and fast after all the postponements we have had. The depth of our squad was also evident at Ashton when we went to a notoriously tricky place and came out winners.

"Scott Cheetham, who hasn’t had as many chances in the first team, was magnificent and I think it bodes very well for our future.???

Kendal have struggled of late, with a 6-0 win over Eastwood at the weekend coming off the back of seven defeats. However, as always Margy will warn his places of complacency against sides which are struggling for form in the league. He said: “We are on a good unbeaten streak at the moment and we hope to continue that on Tuesday. Kendal have undergone a lot of upheaval, and they were in a bit of turmoil.

"However, the new manager has come in and they thumped six past Eastwood on Saturday. They have a number of quality players on loan from the likes of Blackpool, so they will present a very tough encounter for us. But as I always say, we need to concentrate on doing what we do best and then we will be okay.???

FC United of Manchester versus Kendal Town is this Tuesday 5th February at Gigg Lane. As usual, it’s pay on the gate with prices £8 for adults, £5 concessions and just £2 for under-18s. Get yourself to that football ground.