Margy eyes last 16 as FC meet Chorley in FA Trophy - GAME IS ON

FC United manager Karl Marginson admits he is relishing the opportunity to reach the last 16 of the FA Trophy for the first time ever as FC United travel to Chorley on Saturday afternoon looking to cause an upset.

The on-form Reds are in the second round proper for the first ever time after beating Padiham, Buxton and Barwell before comfortably overcoming Conference North side Harrogate Town 4-0.

Now Margy wants his team to cause another upset by beating The Magpies, who are currently fifth in the division above, after pipping FC United to the Evo-Stik Premier Division title by one point last season. As the underdogs at Victory Park, Margy’s side have nothing to lose and, with five wins out of the last five, he feels that the pressure is on Chorley to stop FC United rolling into town and coming away with another victory.

The Reds have faced the Magpies 12 times since we first met in 2007 and have a very strong record of seven victories, two draws and just three defeats. What’s more, FC United have beaten Chorley five times at Victory Park and lost just once. Margy said: "To make it through to the last 16 would be a real achievement and would put us in the hat with the best teams in non-league football."

Whilst the Reds were racking up four wins out of four of the festive period, Chorley were left frustrated with just one game surviving the weather - a 2-1 Boxing Day victory over Bradford Park Avenue. Margy said: "I’m sure Chorley manager Garry Flitcroft will present that as a positive to his players and rightly so. But whilst they have been having a rest we have been building momentum, so I’m sure we’ll give them something to think about."

Whilst having their last three matches postponed has been far from ideal, Chorley are on a decent run too with three wins, one draw and one defeat. The hosts joined the competition two rounds later than FC, beating Stalybridge Celtic and Guiseley to gain a passage to round two.

The Magpies have no fewer than five former FC United players in their ranks with goalkeepers Sam Ashton and Aaron Grundy, former Reds’ captain Kyle Jacobs, midfielder Jake Cottrell and the recently signed Astley Mulholland.

Other than several long term injuries, Joe Fox should be the only FC United player unavailable for the match, due to a hamstring strain. Captain Dean Stott will be available after being rested for the last two games due to illness.

Margy praised the attitude of his players who have put together a run of 16 matches with just one defeat, which has seen the Reds not only through to the second round of the FA Trophy but also begin to mount a serious promotion challenge.

He said: "Things weren’t going for us earlier in the season when we were dropping points. To bounce back from those setbacks shows the strength of character the players have. We also have excellent coaching staff instilling the right messages to help the players to keep believing and not to let things get to them.

"We’ve built a great spirit within the squad, which has taken time over the years. We’ve identified players who realise football is a squad game and that we work together and achieve success as a squad. That has been paying off in recent weeks but the standard has been set and the players have to maintain it."

Chorley versus FC United of Manchester for a place in the last 16 of the FA Trophy is this Saturday at Victory Park, Chorley, with kick off at three o’clock. It’s pay on the gate, so - get yourself to that football ground.