Fans bay for Squires Gate blood

Edited from blackpooltoday.co.uk

MORE than 3,000 rival fans will be baying for Squires Gate's blood tomorrow.

They're banking on Gate becoming their 14th victims in 15 matches as the FC United of Manchester bandwagon rolls on towards a second successive promotion in the North-West Counties League.

Crowds at Bury's Gigg Lane ground for the first division leaders' last two Saturday home games have been 3,381 and 3,268 but Gate manager Stuart Parker believes that tomorrow's bumper gallery could have little to shout about.

"It's a big occasion but we're not just going there to enjoy it or make up the numbers – we'll try to win," said Parker, who played 26 times for Bury in the early 80s.

"I don't expect my players to be intimidated. Many are young but experienced. Some played under me at Blackpool Mechs in biggish games in the League Cup two years ago and last season we made the last eight of the FA Vase.

"They've nothing to be afraid of. They'll savour the occasion rather than worry about it and I'm expecting a good performance."

Gate centre-half Mark Moretti knows what to expect because he skippered Mechs at Gigg Lane last season when 2,266 watched FC United win the second division game 4-2.

Goalkeeper Peter Summerfield has rejoined Gate on his return from America and stands by tomorrow because of doubts over regular no.1 Ben Morris, who has missed the last two games following a kick on the head.

Out injured are Kevan Ford, Lee Catlow and Craig Boothby