FC round up

Source: United We Stand

By Tony Howard
Date: 10/4/2006

FC United of Manchester could win promotion on Wednesday if the game against Chadderton at Gigg Lane goes ahead. It's a big 'if' cos every time the reds have been scheduled to play Chaddy the game's been called off for one reason or another.

United need just five points from the remaining four games to make the North West Counties Division Two title safe and four points to secure promotion. But, if results go FC's way elsewhere it could be all over by Wednesday. The most likely challengers are Nelson who have a ridiculous nine games in hand. Flixton are currently third with six games in hand.

If all the teams win their remaining games the table will finish with FCUM on 90 points, Nelson 82 and Flixton 81. We should play Chaddy twice in a week, at Gigg Lane on Wednesday, 7.45pm kick off, £7 adults, £5 OAPs, £2 kids. Then at Oldham's Boundary Park the following week (Wednesday, April 19) with similar kick off times and admission fees. The reds made promotion a step closer with an impressive 3-1 win over Norton United at Port Vale's Vale Park on Sunday. The first half was a debacle in a virtual blizzard with Josh Howard giving FC a 1-0 advantage at the break.

Norton missed a penalty then missed the re-take soon after half time before finally equalising. Jozzer Mitten was thrown into the fray as the weather became tropical, and the former UWS salesman changed the game.

He flicked on for Steve Torpey to put the reds back ahead, then he made a nuisance of himself from a corner by blowing a rasberry at the fat 'keeper to force an own goal which sealed the points.

Over 1,200 braved the bizarre weather, including it seems, a lad called Michael Shields who's dad made a plea over the tannoy for him to return home.

Remaining games are: Chadderton at Gigg Lane (Weds April 12), Chadderton at Boundary Park (Weds April 19), Great Harwood Town at Gigg Lane (Sat April 22) and Padiham at Boundary Park (Sat April 29).

Friendlies have also been arranged away at Clitheroe on Saturday, April 15, Telford United on Saturday, May 6 and in Germany against Lokomotiv Leipzig on Friday, May 12 (a year on from Glazer's take over).