Goal kings gunning for Rebels

Source: M.E.N.

Stuart Brennan
3/ 5/2007

THERE are 101 reasons why FC United may not clinch the double when they face Curzon Ashton at Tameside Stadium tonight.

Curzon's strike force of Mike Norton and Steven Moore have stolen some of the Rebels' thunder this season by taking the top two spots in the goal-scoring charts, with 51 and 50 goals respectively in all competitions.

And with FC's 45-goal top scorer Stuart Rudd suspended for the League Challenge Cup final following a red card, Curzon boss Gary Lowe is hoping that his deadly duo will out-gun Rory Patterson - who has emerged as favourite to be named the league champions' player of the season.

"For both lads to top 50 goals is an unbelievable achievement," said Lowe, whose side lost both league games to FC, but has finished runners-up and will join them in the UniBond League's first division next season.

"It's hard enough scoring 50 goals in Sunday football so to do it at this level is terrific. They are both very different. Steven is very low-key, and sometimes appears as if he is hardly moving, but he is technically very good.

"Mike is a real workhorse who puts teams under pressure, is good in the air for his size and a good finisher.

"I have nothing but respect for FC and their manager Karl Marginson.

"But I think it could all come down to whether Patterson can take the chances they create, and whether our two lads can take theirs."