When FC United travel to Bacup Borough this Saturday it will be their first league game in almost a month and the Reds will be eager to try to get back on top of the table after an impromptu winter break. Craig Phillips provides this preview...
After a convincing 4-0 victory over Colne in the Challenge Cup at the weekend, it looks as if the recent layoff has allowed Margy€trade;s men to recharge their batteries after a difficult December and they can now look to kick on with the push for promotion.
United are currently three points behind Salford City at the top of the league but have a grand total of six games in hand on their local rivals. The meeting will be the Reds€trade; second against Bacup after beating them 3-0 at home in September, thanks to an own goal, one from Stuart Rudd and one for Liam Coyne.
The match is the first of four in February for United, including three away games that see them travel to Silsden for the Quarter Finals of the cup and third place Nantwich Town in the league. With those two big fixtures on the horizon, Margy€trade;s men will have to be careful that they don€trade;t underestimate Bacup on Saturday.
Although the East Lancashire outfit are currently 12th in the league with 30 points from their 18 games, they have an incredible 13 games in hand over Salford and will be looking to kick start their season with a morale boosting victory over the Reds.
The fixture backlog has been created because seven of their last eight home games have been called off due to a waterlogged pitch. With this in mind, supporters are advised to check this website or call the club€trade;s information line on 0870 626 0295 before setting off on Saturday.
In their last five games Bacup have lost four, all of them, unsurprisingly, have been away from home. Defeats came against Trafford 3-0, Lancaster City in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy 5-2, Ramsbottom United 1-0 and 3-1 to Maine Road. They did however win their last fulfilled home game, which took place on Boxing Day, 2-0 against Colne.
Founder members of the North West Counties Football League in 1982, Borough achieved promotion to Division One in 2003 as Division Two champions and in 2004 they won the League Challenge Cup beating Newcastle Town in the final.
This match arguably represents the start of the title race and United will be keen to settle back in to their early season form in a bid to be crowned champions. One thing€trade;s for sure though, the season€trade;s about to get even more interesting.
Bacup Borough versus FC United of Manchester is this Saturday 3rd February kick off 3pm. The game is all ticket, prices £5 for adults and £3 for OAPs and under-16s, and can be purchased from Piccadilly Box Office in St Ann€trade;s Square as well as at Bacup€trade;s ground between the times of 9am and 1pm throughout this week.
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