On the march with Margy's army... FC United host Chorley

FC United enter our seventh FA Cup with Budweiser campaign on Saturday as we host Evo-Stik Premier Division leaders Chorley at Gigg Lane and we’ll be hoping to match the extraordinary achievement of our 2010/11 season, which saw us reach the dizzy heights of the second round proper.

In what was our best ever FA Cup run, the Reds beat Radcliffe Borough, Gainsborough Trinity, Norton & Stockton Ancients, and Barrow in the qualifying rounds before an unforgettable Bonfire Night at Spotland saw Karl Marginson’s side edge past League Two club Rochdale 3-2 in the first round proper with an injury time Michael Norton winner.

United then held soon to be League One champions Brighton & Hove Albion to a 1-1 draw at the Withdean Stadium in a category C classic before finally surrendering to reality and going out 4-0 in the replay at Gigg Lane. No doubt supporters and players will be dreaming of a similar run this year.

First things first though, and United have a tricky tie in the first qualifying round against Chorley. The Reds have a good record against the Magpies, who we’ve met nine times over the last six years and beaten six times, including in the 2012 play-off semi-final.

However, Garry Flitcroft’s side are hotly tipped for success this year and currently lead the Northern Premier Division after eight games. They also have the psychological boost of having won last season’s league fixture at Gigg Lane 3-1 in March.

United have fallen at the first qualifying round twice before – in our first two campaigns, against Fleetwood in 2007 and Nantwich in 2008. However, since then we’ve got to the fourth qualifying round twice and of course, the second round proper in 2010, so hope and expectation will be high of victory on Saturday.

The Reds will be without centre-back Charlie Raglan who will be out for a number of weeks after suffering a fracture and ankle ligament damage during Tuesday’s 2-1 victory at Frickley Athletic, so Tom Davies will expect to start alongside Andy Pearson.

Chorley’s visit will see the return of former FC United favourites Jake Cottrell and Sam Ashton. We hope both players, who gained FA Cup player of the round awards for their performances in our matches against Rochdale and Brighton respectively, will receive a warm welcome from supporters.

FC United of Manchester versus Chorley in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup is this Saturday at Gigg Lane with the traditional kick-off time of three o’clock. It’s pay on the gate as usual. Get yourself to that football ground and don’t forget your scarlet ribbons.