Cup joy for Rebel Reds

Source: Manchester Evening News

October 13, 2009
JUBILANT FC United boss Karl Marginson saluted his red-hot Rebels after they'd booked an FA Cup trip to Northwich a week on Saturday with a stunning 1-0 third qualifying-round replay victory at Stalybridge last night.

Marginson's men made light of the fact they lie 29 places below Bridge in the non-League pyramid to deservedly advance to the Cup's fourth and final qualification stage for the first time in the club's brief but colourful history.

Jerome Wright was FC's match-winner, firing high past Celts' keeper Paul Phillips in the 33rd minute after Carlos Roca's free-kick had fallen invitingly to him on the edge of the box.

Stalybridge struggled to respond, although they might have had an equaliser late on when skipper Keith Briggs somehow contrived to shoot straight at Sam Ashton.

The only blot on FC's copy-book was a red card shown to Adam Carden seconds after the game had finished after he appeared to confront a crestfallen opponent.

Said Marginson: "This has to be one of our finest hours and all credit to the boys for performing so magnificently on the night.

"Few people would have expected us to come here and win after Bridge held us at our place on Sunday, but I always had faith in our players and I don't think many of the 1,923 fans inside Bower Fold would argue we weren't worthy winners."

Meanwhile, Cup minnows Salford City themselves now face a replay at Blyth Spartans next Tuesday after holding the Geordies 2-2 at Moor Lane.

The UniBond North side twice trailed to goals by Steve Harrison (10 mins) and Mark Doninger (25), but hit back on each occasion, first through Ian Fitzpatrick (12) and then Rhodri Giggs (42).

The winners will entertain AFC Telford.