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FC United aiming for three in three against Rushall Olympic

FC United will be looking to record our third consecutive victory in eight days when we host Evo-Stik Premier Division newcomers Rushall Olympic on Saturday afternoon at Gigg Lane, knowing that a victory could put the Reds on top of the table.

United go into the game on a high after scoring nine goals and collecting six points over the Bank Holiday weekend against our promotion rivals from last season, Buxton and Bradford Park Avenue.

The victories have put us up to fifth place in the table, just three points behind leaders Hednesford but with a far superior goal difference. It sets up an interesting clash with the seventh placed visitors from Walsall, who have made a great start to their first ever season in the Premier Division after gaining promotion via the Division One South play-offs last term.

The Pics have so far only been beaten once, last Saturday at North Ferriby United and they have claimed the scalps of Buxton, Ashton United and Chasetown since gaining a very credible draw at promotion favourites Chester on the opening day of the season.

FC United’s assistant manager Roy Soule continues to deputise for manager Karl Marginson, who is recovering from recent hospital treatment. Soule was impressed with last weekend’s performances and vowed for more of the same on Saturday whilst outlining the threat Rushall will bring to Gigg Lane.

He said: “After two successive defeats it was good to get back to winning ways and we’re in a buoyant mood but we have to keep up those performances levels. From a spectator’s point of view, the Bradford match was great but we made it hard for ourselves by conceding two silly goals, so we’ll be looking to cut out those kind of mistakes.

“Despite the errors, we have a lot of skill and ability and that can get us out of the bad situations we sometimes put ourselves in. The lads are intelligent and they listen and learn from their mistakes.???

Soule praised all of the squad but in particular the players that have been working hard on the fringes of the first team. He said: “We’ve got a very good squad, as the strength on our bench testifies and the quality right through the squad has given us extra impetus.

“The lads who have been on the bench have been right behind the players on the pitch which is really pleasing to see as you don’t always get that. And when they’ve been asked to come on, they’ve taken their chances with both hands.

“Michael Carr’s goal against Bradford was a real belter and it put the cherry on the cake for our performance. Steve Torpey has come off the bench and also scored a couple of beauties this season as well as creating goals for others.???

And turning his attentions to Saturday’s match, Soule said: “Teams come to play us determined to show they will not roll over and Rushall will be no different.

“We just have to make sure we take care of our own house and do the right things. I don’t fear any team in this division barring ourselves. We’re good enough, so it’s down to us if we win. We’re the ones who will shoot ourselves in the foot, no one else. The Chester game proved that – we didn’t play in the first half but in the end could have scraped an undeserved draw.

“We haven’t played Rushall before so it will be a new experience. They’ll keep it tight and seek to quieten the crowd early doors, making it difficult for us to assert our influence. But they don’t know this crowd – no one could shut you lot up, you just keep going and going. That in turn keeps our spirits up on the pitch and we can come up with the answers to unlock whatever they put in front of us.???

FC United versus Rushall Olympic is this Saturday at Gigg Lane with a three o’clock kick-off. It’s pay on the gate as usual with prices at £8 for adults, £5 concessions and £2 for under18s. With England playing Bulgaria on Friday night, there’s no top flight football to distract your friends and family so make sure you get yourself and them to that football ground.



First Posted ~ 12:37 Mon 5 Sep 2011
News ID ~ 3740
Last Updated ~ 00:47 Tue 16 Feb 2021