FC United aiming to start New Year in style as we host Trafford

FC United are looking to start 2015 in the same style that we finished 2014, by recording our fifth consecutive victory as we host Trafford at the Tameside Stadium on New Year’s Day.

The Reds have lost just once in our last 15 matches. The impressive run has seen us progress to the second round proper of the FA Trophy for the first ever time and climb to seventh place in the Evo-Stik Premier Division with games in hand on all but one team above us.

Manager Karl Marginson will be expecting more of the same tomorrow against Trafford and, other than a series of long term injuries, he should have a fully fit squad to choose from. The only exception may be midfielder Matthew Kay who has been struggling with a groin strain in recent weeks.

The Reds are unbeaten in six previous encounters with Trafford, but we have never managed to beat The North at home - with three wins away, two draws at Gigg Lane and one at Shawe View.

The Shawe View draw came in August. James Knowles headed FC United in front after 20 minutes before Shelton Payne equalised from the penalty spot to give our neighbours a share of the spoils.

Payne will almost definitely be the danger man again for the visitors on New Year’s Day as he has 16 goals in all competitions, one behind Buxton’s Liam Hardy, who is the leading marksman in the division.

However, FC United have nothing to fear and, if the form book is anything to go by, the players should be confident of another victory. Trafford have won just one of their last 11 matches in all competitions and currently languish in 23rd place in the league table.

FC United of Manchester versus Trafford is this New Year’s Day with a traditional kick-off time of three o’clock. It’s pay on the gate with prices voted for by our members - £8 for adults, £5 concessions and £2 under-18s. It’s our first home game at the Tameside Stadium, so don’t forget your season ticket if you have one. Get yourself to that football ground and cheer on the players in 2015.