Rebels await FA verdict

Source: M.E.N.

Stuart Brennan
4/ 4/2007

FC UNITED could clinch promotion by Easter Monday if an FA decision goes in their favour.

The Rebels, who face Nelson away tonight, are awaiting news of the outcome of the League's Committee meeting being held at Soho Square, which is expected to give the green light to three teams from the North West Counties League moving up to the newly-expanded UniBond League next season.

Wins at Nelson tonight and at Ramsbottom on Saturday would seal a top-three finish for the alternative United.

There is even a possibility that FC could virtually secure promotion tonight, if the league's committee presses for four clubs from the NWCL to go up.

The league itself is likely to resist any such move, as it is concerned it would leave itself short of numbers.

Victory tonight would move FC onto 93 points, and only three clubs can overtake that figure. Trafford could match it, but their goal difference of 43 is a long way behind FC's difference of 92.

Promotion

FC boss Karl Marginson says there will be no celebration until promotion, and the league title, are in the bag. "The aim is promotion, but we have got ourselves into a position where we would be disappointed not to win the title as well.

"Everyone is targeting top spot as that is the only place that will guarantee promotion at this stage, and that means winning every game.

"Monday's match against Maine Road could be a promotion decider and we need all the support we can get to give the lads a final push."

Strikers Stuart Rudd and Rory Patterson, who both picked up ankle injuries after scoring in the League Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Congleton at the weekend, are both fit for tonight's game and Jerome Wright returns after being cup-tied.