Giant killers set to start as Reds eye second spot

With Bamber Bridge in FA Cup action this weekend, a win for FC United against Ossett Albion would see the Reds leapfrog the West Yorkshire side into second place and Karl Marginson hopes to do just that by sticking with the team that dumped Blue Square Premier outfit Droylsden out of the Manchester Premier Cup on Tuesday.

United put on arguably their best display of the season to claim the scalp of the cup holders and last season’s Conference North champions and Margy says he will repay his young side for that: "After the way they played at Droylsden, I can’t envisage any changes. Unless there’s any injuries the same team will start because they all deserve another chance."??

That means former Manchester United striker Aaron Burns should finally get to make his home debut in front of the United faithful and he will be looking to add to his tally of three goals in just two games. Margy has been full of praise for the 19-year-old since his arrival. He said: "Aaron’s been a God send. He’s been impressive to say the least. He’s a magnificent player and he’s a smashing lad who has fitted straight in with the rest of the lads so that is a real bonus."??

United’s other new striker, Peter Thomson will have to be content with a place on the bench for now but Margy is sure that the former Luton Town and Altrincham man will make a big impact when he’s given his chance. Margy said: "He’s a man mountain, some people might look at him and think that’s all they’re going to get but he’s pacey as well, he’s strong and he’s got a fantastic shot on him."??

And Margy revealed another reason why he was pleased to get Thomson, who has also played for Dutch side NAC Breda, on board: "He’s originally from Bury and he’s a dye in the wool Red. Barrow let him go and Stafford Rangers were interested in taking him back but he rang me and said that he really wanted to play for the club and pull on the red shirt, so I asked him to come down for us to take a look at him. There’s no questions over his commitment."??

Former Salford City midfielder Jamie Baguley is likely to sit alongside Thomson on the bench, whereas United’s other latest signing, Colin Bell will have to wait to make his debut as he needed stitches to a shin injury sustained in a practice match recently.

The signings have come at a vital time for FC United who are still waiting for Stuart Rudd and captain David Chadwick to have scans on knee injuries. Club physiotherapist Mark Cooney suspects that Chaddy has a cartilage problem and will be out for around six weeks, however it is feared Rudd may have suffered ligament damage which could rule him out for the rest of the season. More will be known once the scans have taken place and the results have been received.

Margy is obviously disappointed to lose two of his best players especially because of the experience that the pair bring to his young team, whose average age on Tuesday night was 22 - even with Dave Brown in the side. Margy said: "It’s very disappointing but it’s part and parcel of football. It’s really pleasing for us going forward that we have got such a young side but I’m looking to bring in a little bit more experience because you need that mixture and it would be a tough ask to expect these young lads to go all season."??