Rebels look for revenge

By Liam Chronnell


FC UNITED have an immediate opportunity to avenge their Manchester Cup semi-final defeat at hands of Radcliffe Borough.

The UniBond Division One North rivals meet at Gigg Lane for the second time in five days after seeing their treble hopes shattered by Boro.

Nine points behind leaders Skelmersdale with five games in hand, the Rebels will hope to return to winning ways against the division's bottom club. But they will have to do it without goalkeeper Aaron Grundy, who returned to Bury following his one-month loan spell - much to the dismay of manager Karl Marginson.

"His ability is there for all to see but he has a professionalism about him," said the Reds boss, who signed him when Sam Ashton dislocated a finger. "We'd love to keep him."

Super sub Adam Carden grabbed an injury-time winner to keep alive FC's title hopes in a 3-2 win against Newcastle Blue Star at the weekend.

The Reds look to be cruising after top-scorer Rory Patterson struck twice in the opening 21 minutes. But the visitors hit back with just 13 minutes remaining before stunning FC with an equaliser five minutes later.

However, Carden, who had only been on the pitch two minutes, slotted home deep into time added on.


7:03am
20/03/2008