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FC United aiming for vital 'revenge' over Stourbridge

FC United aiming for vital ’revenge’ over Stourbridge FC United have no fresh injury concerns as the Reds aim to maintain the seven point lead at the top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division with a ‘revenge’ mission against Stourbridge at the Tameside Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Glassboys were the last team to beat FC United in the league – via a narrow 2-1 home victory back on 22nd November at the War Memorial Ground, in the only previous meeting between the two clubs.

Since then, United have been on an incredible league and FA Trophy run, losing just once in 25 games – at highly-rated Conference outfit, Torquay United. In the meantime, the fortunes of our visitors from the West Midlands have been very different. Stourbridge currently sit in 12th position and have won just one of their last 12 games.

However, FC United will not be taking anything for granted. The unpredictable Glassboys gave the Reds one of our toughest games of the season and they showed that they can still be a forced to be reckoned with on their day by drawing 3-3 recently with second placed Ilkeston.

Manager Karl Margison knows that the match will be another tough test but he expects the players to do much better against Stourbridge second time around. He said: “They are all tough games at this stage of the season but I’m confident the players can keep on delivering the results that they have.

“I don’t think we helped ourselves the last time we played Stourbridge. We deserved to lose because of the way we played that day but things are very different now. We’re on a good run and the players have benefited from having a week without a game. They are all looking rejuvenated and ready to go.???

With the Evo-Stik League’s transfer deadline passing on Thursday, Margy admitted he resisted the temptation to make any last minute signings. “Someone offered me Radamel Falcao but I turned him down,??? he joked.

“I’m very happy with the quality and the characters that we have at the club. There is no need to even contemplate signing anyone else at this stage. The players have been fantastic this season and there is no need to risk any changes.???

Margy confirmed that centre-back Luke Ashworth was back in training after a recent injury and that striker Mike Norton is ‘about a week away’ from being available again. Tom Greaves is also in line for a recall to the starting XI after being on the bench last Saturday following the birth of his first child, Louis-James.

Margy says the players are keen to put the frustrating 1-1 draw at Stamford behind them. He said: "It was a tough encounter. The surface was almost rock solid and it was a great leveller. We should have won. How the referee hasn’t given a penalty for a foul on Shelton (Payne), I don’t know. I’ve seen the video footage since and it’s an absolutely stonewall penalty. But, sometimes, that’s football. We’ve put ourselves in a great position and we have to see it through now."

FC United of Manchester versus Stourbridge is this Saturday at Curzon Ashton’s Tameside Stadium with a traditional and supporter friendly kick-off time of three o’clock. It’s pay on the gate as usual with prices voted for by our members - £8 for adults, £5 for concessions, and £2 for under-18s. Get yourself to that football ground and cheer on the Reds as they go in search of another victory.



First Posted ~ 16:30 Fri 27 Mar 2015
News ID ~ 6107
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021