Rebel Reds on brink of goal milestone

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

FC UNITED will be aiming to join the 100 club when they entertain lowly Newcastle Town at Gigg Lane tomorrow.

The prolific Reds have struck 97 goals in all competitions this season and three more would take them past the century mark in their 29th game of the campaign.

But manager Karl Marginson will put goalscoring feats to the back of his mind as he concentrates on closing the gap on new Division One leaders Salford City.

United trail the table-toppers, who have played four games more, by three points but, with Salford facing a tough trip to Flixton, the breakaway club will be eyeing a return to the summit before the New Year festivities begin.

Atherton Collieries' new signing David Campbell will make his home debut against third-placed Nantwich Town.

Colls boss Phil Brown, who hopes to make a further addition to the squad before tomorrow's clash, will also welcome back defender Nick Dyson, but will be without the suspended Barry Massey, who serves the final match of his three-game ban.

Atherton LR will hope to build on their hard-fought point in the Boxing Day derby with Colls. Struggling Rovers, three points above the drop zone in 18th, travel to Squires Gate - one place and eight points above the Crilly Park club.

Daisy Hill boss Tommy Moore will be desperate for some Christmas cheer when his young side entertain Bootle in Division Two. Hill are stuck in the bottom two and will need to turn things around quickly if they are to avoid a relegation battle in 2007.