Rebels face Kyle crunch

Stuart Brennan

February 05, 2009

FC UNITED may be without top scorer Kyle Wilson as they launch a final push on promotion from the UniBond League.

The former Crewe striker – whose 23 goals have landed him at the top of the premier division scoring charts – tweaked a knee in last week’s win over Guiseley and has minor cartilage damage which may rule him out of tomorrow’s trip to Nantwich.

Youngster Danny Williams will be drafted into the squad, but manager Karl Marginson is also toying the idea of pairing either Jamie Baguley or Jerome Wright with Tommy Turner.

The Rebels also have a new weapon in their attacking armoury after handing a debut to centre half Adam Tong against Guiseley – his repertoire includes a Rory Delap-style long throw.

Tong is expected to continue at the heart of defence alongside skipper Dave Chadwick.

Dave Neville is also missing after receiving a suspension for five yellow cards, with Papis Dieyte and Tunji Moses standing by, while Carlos Roca is another absentee with a hamstring strain.

The club has lost striker Nick Robinson, who has a deal to play semi-pro and coach in Australia, also the destination for former FC midfielder Chris Baguley.

Marginson is hopiong the Rebels can pick up where they left off against Nantwich, after they stormed back from 3-0 and 4-1 down before going out of the FA Cup 4-3 in a replay at Gigg Lane in September.

“We shot ourselves in the foot that night,” says Marginson. “But we have added to our squad in every department since then and are much stronger.”

That strength is manifesting itself in league position, with FC now in the play-off places for the first time this season after five wins from six league games.

Victory in Cheshire tomorrow would see them leapfrog the Dabbers into third place.