Rail' gear up for the United rebels

By Staff Copy

FC UNITED and potentially 900 travelling fans will flood Station View tomorrow, with chairman Rob Northfield predicting a miserable trip back to Manchester for the visiting hoards (3pm kick-off).

Despite their lowly position Northfield envisions a 2-1 win for Vinnie Brockie’s side and a passionate performance by Rail’ to avenge their 2-0 defeat at Gigg Lane earlier this season.

Northfield is in bullish mood as is manager Brockie after Rail’s 3-1 County Cup quarter-final victory over NCE Premier outfit Thackley on Wednesday night.

Carl Fox, Richard Marshall and Byron Littlefair’s last minute strike set-up a mouth-watering semi-final against arch rivals Harrogate Town at Wetherby Road in March.

Neil Aspin’s men will enter the contest desperate to set the record straight after their 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup ‘Battle of Harrogate’ last October.

First for Rail’ though is the anticipated visit of United with Northfield expecting a monster gate packed with passionate home and Mancunian support.

United have been in dominant form this season particularly in front of their partisan home crowd.

The rebel side, formed in the aftermath of Malcom Glazer’s takeover at Manchester United, are eyeing their third straight promotion despite only forming in 2005.

Karl Marginson’s men are in scintillating form and in 25-goal hit man Rory Patterson boast one of the most fe ared strikers in the division.

“It’s a big game for the club and I had a meeting this week with Vinnie, Dave Morgan and the rest of the management team about it and we’re all positive,” said Northfield.

“We’ve heard loads of different reports on how many fans they’re going to bring but I think there will be a crowd of about 1,200 here with about 200 to 300 of our fans who are interested in the game.

“They look to be bringing in the region of 900 which will make for a great atmosphere but I’m sure our players will rise to the occasion.

“They have some good players and Rory Patterson is one but I’m sure Vinnie has someone in mind to cope with him.

“But we’re all confident and I think the players will be able to up their game. I think we will win the game 2-1.

“The one disadvantage they have is they’re used to playing in front of big crowds every week but our team is not.

I think our players will be more up for the game playing in front of a big crowd than them and I am sure we can use it to our advantage.”

The full article contains 422 words and appears in Harrogate Advertiser newspaper.

Last Updated: 31 January 2008 11:13 AM