Rebels' final crunch

17/ 4/2008

FC UNITED boss Karl Marginson is expecting a "blood and thunder" clash when the Rebels take on Radcliffe Borough in tonight's President's Cup final.

An inexperienced FC side beat Radcliffe 2-0 on Tuesday in the league to keep promotion firmly on the agenda.

And Marginson has demanded that the senior players rested for that game display the same hunger and commitment when silverware is on the line at the Tameside Stadium.

Marginson said: "It's going to be totally different in the cup game. It's a final and I expect it to be blood and thunder cup football. I'm just hoping that the players that come back into the side match the work-rate we showed on Tuesday."

Stuart Rudd and Rory Patterson should regain their starting spots up front, but there is unlikely to be any change in goal after Sam Ashton's star performance on Tuesday.

His heroics enabled FC to record their first victory in four games this season against a stubborn Radcliffe outfit.

Ahead of the fifth meeting Ashton was backing the fans to be out in force, and said: "It's a big game and I'm sure all the fans will be there with their scarves."