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Promotion chasing FC United host second place Ilkeston for six-pointer

FC United look to keep the pressure up in the Evo-Stik Premier Division this Saturday as we host second place Ilkeston for a six-pointer at the Tameside Stadium.

The Robins are on an impressive 17-game unbeaten run dating back to 1 November, a sequence that has propelled them to second in the table, eight points behind Skelmersdale United with five games in hand. However, seventh-placed FC United are on a fantastic 11-game unbeaten run of their own and are just six points behind our Derbyshire opponents with three games in hand. As such, a win for either side would be a huge step toward overturning Skelmersdale at the top of the table whilst putting one over their promotion rivals.

Back in October a youthful Robins side raced into a three-goal lead against the Reds at the New Manor Ground and recorded their first ever victory against us. Since then, League scouts have been raving over the Ilkeston youth team graduates. Amongst them is Che Adams, who scored the first goal on that day and is now playing in League One with Sheffield United. He scored twice this week against Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final.

Other than the defeat earlier in the season, United have an impeccable record against Ilkeston and have won all three previous home fixtures against the visitors. FC United manager Karl Marginson is confident his team can keep that 100% home record going. He said: "It’s another big game but they are all big games at this stage of the season. I’ll be expecting the players to put in a similar performance to last Saturday. I honestly believe that first half against Fylde was the most complete performance we have put in for a good couple of seasons. The workrate and intensisty were something else.

"The squad has a real togetherness all the way through and that is something I am really chuffed with this season. We have had a good run but can’t rest on our laurels - the players have to play like that every game. They are capable of achieving great things if they keep matching their talents with the right work rate and attitude."

Margy doesn’t expect to have any fresh injury concerns to contend with but he may vary his personnel slightly to the team that beat Fylde. He said: "The games are coming thick and fast now and it’s important to utilise the great squad that we have. It’s my job to keep the players fresh and use them at the right times."

Shelton Payne will be available after being cup-tied in the FA Trophy, Mike Norton will be looking to get more action after returning from injury and the midfield duo of Callum Byrne and Dean Stott will also be eager to get back into the team. Whoever Margy selects, the Reds are sure to go out and give it their best as we continue our push for promotion. So get yourself to that football ground and cheer them on.

FC United of Manchester versus Ilkeston is this Saturday at the Tameside Stadium with a traditional and supporter-friendly kick off time of three o’clock. It’s pay on the gate as usual.


First Posted ~ 12:02 Fri 30 Jan 2015
News ID ~ 5981
Last Updated ~ 00:47 Tue 16 Feb 2021