FC United relishing trip to league leaders, Solihull Moors

FC United travel to top of the table Solihull Moors on Saturday afternoon as underdogs but the match is a challenge the Reds are relishing.

Karl Marginson’s side will go into the game full of confidence after winning their last two games, scoring 10 goals and moving up to 15th place in the Vanarama Conference North. Everyone at the club will want to avoid a repeat performance of the last away trip where United were soundly beaten 4-0 by Brackley Town.

Thankfully, since then the Reds have put in two fantastic performances to beat Lowestoft 6-1 and Harrogate Town 4-3. Despite being top of the league, Solihull have been having somewhat of a wobble in recent weeks. The West Midlands outfit won 1-0 at Brackley last week but were beaten 6-0 at Harrogate the week before. They were also beaten 3-1 at home three weeks ago by North Ferriby.

FC United will be looking to exploit chinks in The Moors’ armour and keep the momentum up of the last two weeks, which has seen eight different players on the scoresheet. It will be a tough ask but the Reds generally seem to do better against teams higher up the table. For example, Margy’s men took four points off Nuneaton Town when they were top of the league earlier in the season.

Matthew Wolfenden should be back in contention for a place in the squad after overcoming a shoulder injury sustained at Tamworth. However, he may have to play the waiting game as Sam Madeley has been excellent after coming back into the team and Craig Lindfield and Greg Daniels both came off the bench to score against Lowestoft.

Unfortunately, FC United have been hit by the news that Rory Fallon will require an operation on his knee. Scan tests have shown that surgery is needed to correct the issue. More news about the timescales of Fallon’s recovery will be posted when we have it.

Margy has been pleased by the two recent results and the Reds easing away from the relegation zone but he joked: "I won’t be happy until we have got back into our spiritual home of 11th place."

For younger supporters - 11th position has held a special place in Red hearts since the 2008-09 season. During that campaign, our first year in the Northern Premier League, we made the 11th spot our own.

For several weeks, no matter what Karl Marginson’s side did - win, lose or draw - they were left occupying 11th spot. It became very homely and reassuring at number 11 until a late charge of playing four games every 11 days saw the Reds rocket up the table to sixth place.

Disappointingly, even if the Reds win tomorrow, they still won’t be able to reach 11th place, but one step at a time, we’ll get there. In the meantime, Solihull Moors versus FC United of Manchester is at the traditional and supporter friendly kick-off time of three o’clock at Damson Park. Get yourself to that football ground.