Friday, January 23, 2009

Witton v FC United: preview

12:28pm Friday 23rd January 2009

By Andrew Simpson

Witton Albion v FC United of Manchester (ko 3pm)
UniBond Premier Division
Venue: Wincham Park
Admission: Adults £9, O65s £5.50, U16s £4 U14s Free
Odds (bet365): Witton 9/5, Draw 5/2, FC United 11/10
Previous meeting: n/a

Witton (from):Greg Smith (GK), Scott, Wynne, Dunne, Booth, Pritchard, Schwarz, Warner, King, James, Dunn, Olsen, Smyth, Lugsden, Black, Thompson
Doubtful: none
Injured: Moore (knee)
Suspended: none
Top scorer: Lee Thompson (7)
League form guide (last six home): L L L L L L
League home record: P11 W1 D2 L8 F13 A24 Pts5

FC United (from): Ashton (GK), Warrender, Nugent, Chadwick, Adam Turner, Garner, Adam Carden, Chappell, Moses, Simon Carden, Neville, Roca, Wright, Tommy Turner, Whitman, Wilson
Doubtful: none
Injured: none
Suspended: none
Top scorer: Kyle Wilson (24)
League form guide (last six away): W W L L D D
League away record: P12 W5 D2 L5 F21 A17 Pts17

KYLE Wilson returns to Wincham Park as the runaway top scorer in the UniBond Premier Division.

His 21 league strikes, including two against Albion at Gigg Lane back in October, have taken his side to within a point of a play-off position.

Hosts Witton have the unenviable title of worst home side in the league, winning just one league game at home in front of their own supporters this term. They have lost the past seven in a row.

But Gary Finley’s men have improved of late, winning four of their past five on the road, to move off bottom spot.

Victory tomorrow could take them as high as 15th should other results go their way.

Neil Black returns after sitting out the midweek Cheshire FA Senior Cup defeat at Altrincham, partnering Lee Thompson in attack. Mark Smyth, missing for the past two matches, should return too.

Oliver James, cup tied on Tuesday, could feature at the heart of the midfield.

FC United of Manchester visit Wincham Park for the first time on the back of three successive league victories.

They have yet to concede a goal in 2009.

Tris Whitman, on loan from Eastwood Town, battles in-form Tommy Turner for a place alongside Wilson in attack.

Former Northwich Victoria winger Carlos Roca is likely to start from the bench.