Tough Trophy task awaits FC United

FC United manager Karl Marginson and his assistant Roy Soule know the Reds are in for a tough FA Carlsberg Trophy match against an unbeaten Newcastle Town on Saturday.

The Staffordshire side are currently riding high in the division below FC United with an unbeaten record which stretches back to last season.

However, the Reds are full of confidence after two high scoring victories against Ossett Town and Norton & Stockton Ancients, so Margy and Soule know the win is there for the taking.

Soule says: "We’ve done our homework, I’ve been to watch Newcastle a couple of times since the draw so they are not new to us. But I prefer to concentrate on our team.

"The quality is there but we’ve got to find the consistency. We need to be more clinical in front of goal when we’re enjoying possession and creating chances. The players have also got to work hard. There may be some who think they can coast along but they’ll soon realise it will be at their own expense."

United face a couple of fitness tests ahead of the match but Margy doesn’t expect Karl Munroe to be available so Martin Parker may be recalled despite the fact the centre-half has just been sent out on loan to North West Counties side New Mills in order to keep match fit.

Club captain David Chadwick and midfielder Steve Torpey are recovering well from groin strains and are around two weeks away from resuming full training. Soule expects that a couple of midweek friendlies will be arranged to ease the pair back into the action.

Margy knows that the Trophy provides United with a great opportunity to do well on a national stage. He said: "You look at some of the teams in the Conference these days - Luton, York, Grimbsy - there’s a lot of money involved and a lot of professional clubs, so it’s a tough ask.

"But we go into it knowing that anything can happen in a cup competition and, whether it’s right or wrong, there’s prize money up for grabs in each match meaning that if we do well we’ll get to Ten Acres Lane quicker - that’s the ultimate goal."

FC United versus Newcastle Town is this Saturday at Gigg Lane with kick-off at 3pm and it’s pay on the gate. We’re on the march...