Bridlington 0 FC United 3

Stuart Brennan

5/11/2007
FC UNITED have top spot in their sights after racking up a sixth successive win and pulling off their first league double of the season.

The Rebels can edge ahead of leaders Curzon Ashton on goal difference if they win at Clitheroe next week, as the Tameside outfit are involved in the FA Cup.

And FC manager Karl Marginson says there is a healthy rivalry growing with Curzon, who were promoted with his team last season and lost a tense League Challenge Cup final as the Rebels did the double.

"We haven't played them yet, but they have done really well so far and are still unbeaten in the league. But I saw them at Bamber Bridge recently when they were lucky to get a result," he said.

"We have already had a form blip, and it will be interesting to see how they cope when their comes. They also have three of our old players in Rhodri Giggs, Alex Mortimer and Joz Mitten, so that all adds a bit of spice to the rivalry." Against Bridlington, who were hammered 6-0 at Gigg Lane in August, Aaron Burns made it five goals in five games since he joined FC on a temporary basis to set them on their way to another victory, and Jerome Wright added a second shortly after the interval.

That set the stage for the Rebels' own showman Rory Patterson, who confirmed himself as top scorer in the UniBond League first division north with his 16th of the season, a classy lob over the keeper with the outside of his foot.

"That was typical Rory," said Marginson. "He had his back to goal, and just sneaked a little look over his shoulder, saw the keeper off his line and came up with a great finish. He comes up with unexpected goals like that all the time."

Now FC are sweating on the results of the scan on last season's top scorer Stuart Rudd, who damaged knee ligaments a fortnight ago and may be out for the season.

The scan had to be delayed until the swelling on the knee reduced, and there has been a further delay in waiting for the specialist's report, but Rudd is expecting a result later today.