Reds look to continue play-off push on People United Day

With less than 10 weeks and just 16 games of the season remaining, FC United are looking to continue their late push for the play-offs – next up it’s Burscough at Gigg Lane for People United where under-18s gain free admission.

Manager Karl Marginson will have to make at least one change to the side that pulled off a sterling comeback against Chasetown on Wednesday night. Youth team graduate Matthew Tierney will have to be replaced as he begins to serve a three match banned for being sent-off at Hucknall. Nicky Platt and Simon Carden will both be hoping to come into the starting line-up.

Centre-back Scott McManus will be playing his last game before serving a two game suspension for receiving two yellow cards at Frickley Athletic and Richard Battersby will also be available before he misses out due to being sent off in midweek.

Despite the recent flurry of red cards, Margy has been very impressed with his team, particularly their performance on Wednesday. He said: “We played some great football against Chasetown and the spirit the players showed when we went down to ten men was superb.

“Early on in the season we suffered setbacks like that and failed to deal with them in the correct manner but we’ve showed that we’ve learnt and improved as a team.

“Now we’ve got 16 games left and we’re looking like a team that should be up near the top. Our confidence is there after recent results but it’s also a case of the players getting an understanding with each other. That takes time. Hopefully we’re now seeing the fruits of the hard work we put in over the summer.???

Margy was full of praise for the entire team but also singled out Mike Norton, who scored his 20th goal of the season on Wednesday. He said: “Norton had them on the back foot all night. He thoroughly deserved his two goals and could have had more.

“Norts’ work rate is absolutely unbelievable. If all 11 players put in a shift like that then you’re not going to be too far away, it’s not just about goals with him, he’s a pleasure to work with.???

Although the Reds are riding high, Margy is keen that his side do not become complacent. He said: “Given our form people are saying we’ve got four winnable games coming up but it counts for nothing unless we put in the same work and application as we have recently.

“If we approach these matches in the correct manner then we could find ourselves in a very good position in early March but for now we have to resort to the old cliché of taking one game at a time. We’ve seen things change round very quickly a number of times in recent years and no-one’s getting carried away.???

FC United versus Burscough is this Saturday at Gigg Lane. It’s pay on the gate with prices at £8 for adults, £5 for concessions and people under the age of 18-years-old gain free admission. Get yourself to that football ground.