Rebels boss takes no chances

Source: M.E.N.

Paul Gallagher
15/ 3/2007

FC United face one of the biggest games in the club's brief history tonight as they bid to reach their first cup final.

The Rebels take on Congleton in the first match of a two-legged semi-final in the NWCFL Challenge Cup at the Britannia Carpets Stadium in Northwich.

With the Division One title on the cards, manager Karl Marginson is aiming to round off the club's second season with a league and cup double.

"I've made it clear to the players how important this is to the fans," he said. "And the players all want to get to a cup final. It is a special occasion and it is a little distraction from the league games we have coming up."

Marginson's team have been drawn away from home in every round of the cup so far but have reached the semis without conceding a goal, brushing aside Nantwich, Colne and Silsden.

Advantage

They will not have home advantage if they can overcome Congleton either, as league officials have announced the final has been moved from its traditional venue of Gigg Lane.

The showpiece match on Thursday, May 3, will be played instead at the 4,000-capacity Tameside Stadium, home of Curzon Ashton who play either Flixton or Oldham in the other semi.

The £3.5m Tameside Stadium opened in July 2005 and has already proved a happy hunting ground for FC United this season, with the club notching league victories over Curzon in September and Squires Gate last Saturday.

Promotion into the Unibond league will mean the club may have to look at securing a similar purpose-built stadium for themselves in the coming years if they continue to climb up the football ladder.

FC United are three points clear at the top of NWCFL Division One with 12 matches to play, and have four games in hand over second-placed Salford City.

Kick-off is 7.45pm and admission is £6 (adults), £4 (OAPs/under-16s), and £2 (under-12s). Seating is available for £1 extra.

The second leg weill be at Gigg Lane on Saturday, March 31 (3pm).