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Margy eyes FA Cup upset against old club

Sunday’s FA Cup sponsored by E.ON fourth and final qualifying round tie against Barrow is undoubtedly one of the biggest games in FC United’s short history and manager Karl Marginson says his players are eager to cause an upset against one of his old clubs.

Margy played 78 games for the Bluebirds during a three-season spell in the late 1990s and rates Barrow’s supporters as amongst the best in the country. However, there will be no room for sentiment on Sunday as the two teams battle it out for a place in the first round proper and the chance to take on a club from the Football League.

The Reds go into the match full of confidence on the back of three consecutive victories which includes 14 goals scored with just three conceded. Barrow on the other hand haven’t won a match for over a month and find themselves in the relegation zone in the Conference Premier without an away win all season.

Despite the current form, Barrow are the current FA Carlsberg Trophy holders and, being two divisions above FC United, they are the highest ranked club the Reds have ever played in a competitive match.

Due to this Margy knows that getting a result on Sunday is a huge challenge. He said: “From a footballing point of view it’s going to be a very tough ask for us but you never know with cup football and all the cliches that go with it. It’s definitely a game for us to look forward to and go in with no pressure on us.

“It’s just a case of going into it with the attitude of – enjoy the day, enjoy the occasion and give a good account of ourselves. Obviously, you go into any game with thoughts of winning the football match, and that will be no different against Barrow. It would be a major achievement if we could beat them.???

With no fresh injury concerns, Margy must decide which 11 players he wants to start with. With nine goals between them in the last two matches, Ben Deegan and Mike Norton look likely to start up front although Glynn Hurst will also be in contention having scored five goals in seven appearances.

The defence looks settled with possibly just Martin Parker and Karl Munroe battling it out to partner Scott McManus. So it seems to be the midfield that gives Margy his biggest selection headache. Winger Jerome Wright is currently enjoying a rich vein of form which was highlighted with three assists in the 5-0 drubbing of Newcastle Town last Saturday, so it is to be expected he will start, which leaves three other places up for grabs.

Last year’s player of the season Jake Cottrell has fought his way back into the team after being dropped to the bench following the crushing defeat at the hands of Stocksbridge Park Steels in September whilst Carlos Roca has also started in the last three matches, scoring twice.

So, going off current form, it would appear that James Holden, Nicky Platt and Richard Battersby are all presently competing for the fourth place in the middle of the field. But as we’ve seen already this season, Margy may opt to firm up the midfield against tough opposition rather than playing two wide-men.

Whoever Margy decides to go with, one thing is for sure – Sunday promises to be another lively FA Cup encounter with two sets of noisy supporters. Margy added: “Having played up at Holker Street and knowing the fans up there, it will be interesting to see the contest off the pitch between the supporters, in terms of how loud they are.

“I’m sure people up there have heard about FC United fans and their constant singing, so it will be a challenge for Barrow fans to see if they can come up with something and set down a marker with their support as well. It should be a great atmosphere, that’s for sure.???

FC United of Manchester versus Barrow AFC is this Sunday at Gigg Lane with 3pm kick-off. It’s pay on the gate with prices £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and £2 for under-18s. Scarlet ribbons at the ready...



First Posted ~ 14:23 Fri 22 Oct 2010
News ID ~ 3175
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021