FC United chase double glory

Source: thisislancashire.co.uk

By Liam Chronnell

KARL Marginson watched FC United seal promotion to the UniBond League and then said: We want the double.

The Rebels boss saw his side celebrate a second successful campaign with a 3-0 victory against derby rivals Maine Road on Easter Monday.

That came two days after the breakaway club had secured a top-three finish with a narrow 2-1 victory at Ramsbottom United.

But now Marginson wants his players, who top the NWCL Division One table by 13 points and are in the final of the League Challenge Cup, to add silverware to their success.

The Gigg Lane outfit need just two more victories to wrap up the title, though if closest rivals Curzon Ashton, who United also face in their first-ever final on May 3, slipped up at Formby last night then FC could win the league at Colne on Saturday.

"We're in a really strong position and it would be really unprofessional to take our foot off the pedal now," said the United manager.

"We can get to 114 points and that is what we will be aiming for. We're also in a cup final and, although it's a one-off game, we have every chance of doing the double.

"The goal when we started was to get two promotions in three years, so do it a year earlier is excellent. The players have been fantastic both seasons. Now we need to go on and get a bit of silverware."

Atherton Collieries, meanwhile, will be aiming for a fifth successive victory when they entertain Maine Road.

After a superb Easter period, which saw Phil Brown's in-form side win four times in eight days, Colls will be confident of overcoming sixth-placed Maine Road - two places and nine points above them in the table - at fortress Alder House.

Atherton LR have the weekend off while, in Division Two, Tommy Moore's Daisy Hill side travel to Eccleshall.