Two games in three days as Reds look to build some momentum

FC United come off the back of a run of five games without defeat as we face two tough matches in three days over the coming weekend. Craig Phillips provides this preview...

On Saturday the Reds welcome Witton Albion in what is usually an entertaining contest before making the short trip to Curzon Ashton on Monday evening for a Doodson Sport Cup fixture.

Despite going five unbeaten since losing away at Ilkeston, United have drawn three of those games (all in the league) and know that we need to turn the single points into three if we are to make a push up the league at the turn of the year.

Saturday sees an ideal opportunity to do this against an old rival, who have always been part of great contests whenever the two teams have met before. The Reds have faced Albion 10 times with both teams holding four victories, but those 10 games have seen an astonishing 43 goals scored between the two teams, with United currently averaging just under 2.5 goals per game against Saturday’s opponents.

The teams met four times last season with an FA Trophy replay going the way of Albion, but United took six points from the team they beat in the play-off semi-finals in the 2012/13 season with a 3-1 win at home and a 5-2 victory away from home later in the season.

Witton have struggled so far this season in the league with just 13 points from their first 18 games, but anybody looking at the table thinking this could be a walkover will need to think again as Witton always bring their A game whenever they face United.

So get yourself down to that football ground on Saturday afternoon for what promises to be another exciting contest.

United then take a break from league games as we make the short journey to Curzon Ashton on Monday evening for a Doodson Sports Cup tie.

Going to the Tameside Stadium always brings back great memories for United fans as it’s where we lifted the North West Counties League Challenge Cup back in 2007.

The Nash are enjoying a great start to the season and currently sit fourth in the league with 32 points, which is five points clear of United before the weekends games, so this represents a really good challenge for the Reds and one that won’t be taken lightly.

Having said that, the Nash have recently hit a sticky patch form wise - with just one win in their last four games and will come into Monday’s game on the back of the long away trip to Kings Lynn on Saturday.

It’s a little surprising that the two teams have only met five times, with United winning all five of the meetings, but three of those by just one goal. The teams last met in 2008 with United edging a 3-2 contest thanks to a brace from Rory Patterson and a second half goal from David Chadwick against a Curzon Ashton team that featured what would become familiar names over the coming years in Carnell, Giggs, Birch and Norton.

Monday’s game is pay on the gate and is the usual 7.45pm kick off, so get yourself down to that football ground on Monday for what promises to be a tasty local derby.