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Baguley brothers blow

FC United go into tonight’s FA Cup replay against Nantwich Town in confident mood but if they are to progress to the second qualifying round they will have to do so without either of the Baguley brothers.

Jamie limped out of Saturday’s stalemate at the Weaver Stadium with a suspected knee cartilage tear and his younger brother Chris, who replaced him, must now serve a suspension for being sent off against Bradford Park Avenue at the beginning of the month.

Despite the double setback, manager Karl Marginson fully believes that he has the strength in depth to cope. Dale Whitehead may return to the team after missing only his second match of the new campaign on Saturday but there is also the possibility that David Neville may finally make his first start for the club following a number of impressive substitute appearances.

Margy will make his final decision closer to kick-off but he hopes whoever he brings in will be able to help keep it tight at the back whilst also helping United unlock a robust Dabbers defence which has conceded just five goals in eight games so far this season.

He said: "The replay will be tight again. If anyone had scored on Saturday I think that would have been enough to win the game and it will be no different in the replay."??

Keeping our second clean sheet of the season was the highlight of the hard earned draw for Margy. "The defence were great on Saturday. Danny (Warrender) was top-class dealing with a winger like Griggs, who is one of the best in this league, and you could tell Simon (Garner) has been playing with clubs like Stalybridge and Fleetwood. Chaddy was as solid as ever and Adam Turner had a magnificent game for such a young lad - he could have won it at the end too."

Of course Sam Ashton was singled out for praise as well. "Sam was excellent. People have said he was at fault for some goals we have conceded lately, me included, but his save in the first-half was world-class and the penalty save earned us a replay. For me he’s one of the best, if not the best, keeper in this league and his attitude is first-class."

And he added: "If we can play like that again at the back tonight, then I think one goal will be enough to nick it and see us through to the next round."??



First Posted ~ 11:00 Wed 17 Sep 2008
News ID ~ 1825
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021