A Nuge boost

Tony Howard

13/12/2007

FC UNITED’S influential centre half Rob Nugent has been passed fit for the promotion six-pointer at Ossett Albion on Saturday, December 15.

The cancellation of last weekend’s game against Chorley has given Nugent an extra week to recover from an on-going injury and he will replace the suspended Adam Turner at the heart of United’s defence as they travel to Yorkshire in the UniBond First Division North.

Nugent’s inclusion is a welcome boost as the reds will be without top scorer Rory Patterson up front and in-form winger Jerome Wright. They will both serve suspensions for amassing five bookings.

Ossett are on equal points with FC in the last two play-off places and go into the clash on the back of an impressive 4-1 drubbing of Garforth Town, who defeated United 1-0 in the league back in August.

Manager Karl Marginson said: “Nuge coming back is a huge boost for us and the Chorley match being called off is a rare stroke of luck in that respect.

“However, we were gutted by the cancellation because we were coming through a bad patch and wanted to carry on with that.

“Ossett are a good side and they showed that by beating Garforth, who impressed us earlier in the season at Gigg Lane.

“Nugent will add strength to our defence with Adam Turner missing through suspension.

“Adam has taken his chance this season and done himself a lot of favours. It’s a shame he has to serve a suspension for a red card that was unjustly awarded.

“We’ll obviously miss Rory up front so big Peter Thomson will get his chance to impress. He’s shown already that he’s a good player with a great first touch for such a big man and I can assure the fans that there’s more to come from him as he gets his match fitness.

“We are looking forward to getting back into action and it’s a big game in terms of the promotion places so it’ll be a cracker.”

The game will take place at Ossett’s Queen’s Terrace ground. On the gate admission is free for children and costs £6 for adults.

The match will kick-off at 3pm.