FC look for glory on historic cup day

Source: This is Lancashire

By Liam Chronnell


KARL Marginson has hailed FC United's first ever appearance in the FA Cup as one of the biggest days in the breakaway club's history.

The Rebels take their first steps on the road to Wembley when they take on rivals Trafford in the preliminary round at Altrincham's Moss Lane on Sunday.

The Gigg Lane tenants have had to wait until this year to enter the famous old competition. Rules stipulate that clubs must be in the FA Vase for a season before they can graduate to the more illustrious trophy.

But Marginson, whose side need to win five games before reaching the first round proper, is delighted the wait is finally over.

"It's an historic game with it being our first ever tie in the FA Cup," he said. "That's the beauty of managing a club that is brand new - everything we do is a first."

Marginson will be without the suspended Rory Patterson for the clash with the unbeaten North West Counties League outfit. The striker serves the second match of a three-game ban, reduced from 35 days on appeal.

But the Reds boss has no other injury problems and his side will go into the tie buoyed by two victories in three days.

He added: "We do go into the game feeling very confident. There was never a doubt in my mind that we would bounce back but you never know with players who have been so used to winning how they will react."

Marginson's men returned to winning ways in style with a superb 6-0 home victory over Bridlington Town on Saturday.

Patterson was the match-winner with four goals, while substitute Anthony Hargeaves and Matty Taylor's penalty completed the scoring.

Three days' later, Nicky Platt's late penalty secure the points in a 2-1 triumph against Rossendale United in front of a bumper crowd of 2,023.

The midfielder coolly stroked home an 85th-minute spot-kick after Stuart Rudd had been hauled down in the area.

Rudd had earlier given the visitors the lead from a free-kick on 70 minutes, but Rossendale levelled matters five minutes later through Mark Drew.

FC are also in action on Wednesday when they take on Alsager in the Challenge Cup, in a game which has been moved to Radcliffe Borough's Stainton Park ground.