Final say for rampant FC

Tony Howard

13/ 3/2008

FC UNITED are on course for a treble after they progressed to the UniBond League President’s Cup final with a 3-1 win at Goole.

The reds, playing in a rarely seen blue third strip, had a classy brace from midfield dynamo Chris Baguley to thank for their easy victory.

The pick of the two Baguley belters was an audacious chip from nearly 40 yards out, which caught the home keeper stranded in no man’s land.

Baguley had already given United the lead in the first half, smashing in from close range.

Rory Patterson added the third to round off the win and set up a final with Radcliffe Borough at a venue yet to be confirmed.

FC are already in the semi-final of the Manchester Premier Cup, where they will also meet Radcliffe. That away game will be played on Tuesday, March 18, kick-off 7.45pm.

Manager Karl Marginson is standing by his prediction of treble glory for his side.

He said: "We go into every game believing we can win and that will not change.

"We’ve got to concentrate on the league as we want to win the title and go up a division.

"But the cups offer us a nice distraction and we all love a good cup final.

"We’re on a good run and we need to keep it going.

"If we keep our players fit we will be okay but we’ve got a lot of games to come so it’s going to be a big test."

United were also celebrating after the UniBond League decided against deducting points for the postponement of their match against Woodley on February 6.

A mix up with landlords Bury meant the Gigg Lane fixture was not fulfilled. The league fined FC £500 plus £65 costs but it had been feared that they would have points taken away.

FC play Newcastle Blue Star at Gigg Lane in the UniBond League Division One North on Saturday, March 15, kick-off 3pm.

United’s match at Ossett Albion, which was scheduled to be played last night, Wednesday, March 12, was called off due to the inclement weather in Yorkshire.