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Deegan and Holden face fitness tests ahead of Hucknall

Ben Deegan (hamstring) and James Holden (calf) will face late fitness tests as FC United look to continue their 100% home record in 2011 as Hucknall Town visit Gigg Lane.

Both players’ performances at Retford were restricted last week due to slight strains but they are hopefully of being available for selection as the Reds look to make it four wins out of four and the third home win of 2011.

All eyes will be on goalkeeper Sam Ashton, not only to see if he can keep his third consecutive clean sheet but to also see whether he can repeat his goal-scoring heroics of last week. Manager Karl Marginson probably hopes not for the sake of everyone’s sanity in the FC United dressing room.

Margy said of Sam’s goal: “I’ll never hear the end of that! He got a great connection on the clearance given the bobbly pitch and it led to a slight misjudgement from their keeper. Obviously, he believes he meant it but I can safely say there’ll be no chance of an outfield appearance like he got at Bolton – I see him play every week in training don’t forget.???

Margy was pleased with the way his team performed last weekend and how they have got underway in 2011 with three wins out of four. He said: “The surface at Retford was a little tricky so I was pleased with the football we managed to play, with a couple of really good goals. We now need to kick on and make it four wins on the bounce today and then take that on to five wins and six wins.

“The belief within the squad at the moment is brilliant and the faster we can get wins on the board and move up the league, the more it will give us confidence and a basis for the rest of the season.???

One player who is obviously unlikely to be involved on Saturday is Richard Battersby. Margy said: “I’m sure most of you will be aware of the terrible ordeal Richard must have been going through this week after his fiancée passed away.

"Her illness is something he’s been contending with since he’s been at the club and I must say that the way he’s conducted himself and handled things in that time has an absolute credit to him. You’ve only got to look at what he’s doing to try and raise awareness with his charity fundraising to see the mark of the man.

“I noticed on his donations webpage earlier in the week that there had been a huge amount given by supporters, and I think that fantastic gesture with people rallying round and posting their kind words will be appreciated.

"I’d also like to thank the board for their decision to donate all Saturday’s proceeds from the development fund barrels to Richard’s choice of charity. It’s that sense of community, which marks this club out as being different from so many others, be it in the backing from the terraces or when fellow Reds are in difficult times.???

FC United of Manchester versus Hucknall Town is this Saturday at Gigg Lane with kick-off at 3pm. It’s pay on the gate as usual. Get yourself to that football ground.



First Posted ~ 16:45 Fri 21 Jan 2011
News ID ~ 3366
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021