Patterson hoping to de-rail Harrogate bid

Source: This is Lancashire

By Liam Chronnell

PREVIEW: FC United v Harrogate Railway: FC United are set to welcome back top-scorer Rory Patterson for the visit of Harrogate Railway Athletic - but are set to lose another striker.

The in-form Rebels hitman, who smashed four goals against Bridlington Town in his last appearance, returns from a three-match ban for the first of the Gigg Lane tenants' two games in four days.

And Patterson's comeback comes just at the right time for the Gigg Lane tenants, who have target-man Stuart Rudd suspended following his red card at Garforth Town.

Following the UniBond League Division North home clash with the Yorkshiremen on Saturday, Karl Marginson's men travel to winless Clitheroe on Tuesday as they continue their climb up the table.

At the weekend, FC, in Challenge Cup action last night against Alsager Town, enjoyed the perfect start to their first ever FA Cup campaign to set up a trip to Fleetwood Town.

United kept on the road to Wembley with a 5-2 victory in their preliminary round clash with Trafford, from the division below, to progress to the first qualifying stage against the UniBond League Premier outfit on September 15.

Rob Nugent, Josh Howard, Nicky Platt, from the penalty spot, Simon Carden and substitute Anthony Hargreaves were all on target in a tie switched to Altrincham's Moss Lane ground to accommodate the 2,238 crowd.

Defender Alex Mortimer, meanwhile, has been released from his contract through mutual consent.

Marginson said: "I can appreciate that Alex wants regular first team football at the age he is and he's too good of a player to sit on the bench.

"That is why I have agreed to release him from his contract."