Thursday, November 26, 2009

Club kits out charity drive

Source: Bury Times

3:10pm Thursday 26th November 2009


A BURY football enthusiast has flown to India to donate soccer kits to children in Bhopal.

Mark O’Rourke is travelling for a series of events to mark 25 years since a pesticide manufacturing plant leaked 27 tons of the deadly gas, methyl isocyanate, into the air.

Thousands of people died and, ever since, children in the city have been born with serious deformities.

Mark, a supporter and founder member of FC United of Manchester, will be re-establishing links between the club and the Bhopal Medical Appeal (BMA), set up to raise funds to help the survivors.

The BMA was FC United’s main sponsor in its first season and even wrote a curry recipe — the Bhopali Chicken FC United Wallah — specially for the club, using the match day programmes to tell a whole new audience about the disaster.

Now fans of the club — based at Gigg Lane — raised money and sent two complete kits to Bhopal where a new children’s team, FC United of Bhopal, has been established.

Father-of-three Mark, aged 51, who volunteers help for FC United junior section and its development fund, has taken a set of club shirts to Bhopal. They will be given to children who have been treated in a recently-built clinic.

He said: “I went on holiday to India in 2000 and fell in love with the place. To me, Bhopal is linked with FC United.

“I’m taking the shirts for the children in Bhopal, who have very little. So, they know people on the other side of the world are looking out for them and thinking of them.”

Mark, who lives in Chesham, added: “We had a great response from fellow supporters who donated money to pay for the kit and I’d like to thank everyone who helped. I hope the children will be excited to receive the shirts.”

FC United is holding a fundraising curry night at Veena’s in Heywood on Wednesday, December 2, in aid of the BMA. Tickets cost £15 with £5 being donated to the charity. For information: e-mail office@fc-utd.co.uk or visit www.fc-utd.co.uk

Rebels look to bounce back

Source: Bury Times

8:10am Thursday 26th November 2009
By Staff Sports Reporter

FC United must turn their attentions to moving up the table after they crashed out of the FA Trophy.

The Rebels are just one place above the drop zone but eight points off the play-off places in the UniBond Premier League.

Karl Marginson’s side have a great opportunity to gain ground on their rivals if they can defeat seventh-placed Kendal Town at Gigg Lane on Saturday.

But they must overcome their weekend’s disappointment after being dumped out of the cup by Harrogate Town in their second qualifying round tie.

The Blue Square North side were 3-0 up after 52 minutes through Craig James, Rory Coleman and Adam Novakowski.

Simon Carden hit a quickfire brace in the last 10 minutes to set up a frenetic finale, but it proved in vain as Harrogate held on.

FC were due to face Kendal on Tuesday night but their Challenge Cup clash was a victim of the weather.

Midfielder Adam Carden, meanwhile, has left the club.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

FC United Cup game called off

Source: Manchester Evening News

Phil Howarth

November 24, 2009
FC UNITED'S UniBond League Challenge Cup match at Kendal Town has been postponed following a pitch inspection.

Standing water was found on various parts of the pitch at the Lakeland Radio Stadium, with further heavy rain forecast for Tuesday afternoon prior to the game.

The match has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 8, kick off 7.45pm.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Misery for Reds in FA Trophy

Source: The Bolton News

7:38pm Sunday 22nd November 2009

FOOTBALL: FC United crashed out of the FA Trophy, despite a late fightback by Harrogate Town.

Craig James, Rory Coleman and Adam Novakowski put the Yorkshire side into a three-goal lead after just 52 minutes in front of more than 1,100 fans at Gigg Lane.

Simon Carden hit a quickfire brace in the last 10 minutes to ensure a frenetic finale, but Karl Marginson’s men had left themselves too much to do.

Radcliffe Borough were beaten 2-1 by Prescot Cables in UniBond League Division One North.

Aaron Rey and Phil Cooney had given the visitors a first-half lead, and Jody Banim’s strike two minutes from time proved a mere consolation.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

FC United 2 Harrogate 3

Source: Manchester Evening News

November 21, 2009

A BRAVE second-half fight back was not enough to save FC United as they crashed out of the FA Trophy at home to Harrogate.

The visitors cruised in to a 2-0 lead before half time and then added a third shortly after the break, but a rousing final half-hour from the Rebels saw them pull two back courtesy of a Simon Carden double.

However, despite throwing everything at the Sulphurites in the closing minutes, FC were unable to force a replay.

A miserable first half for the Rebels was compounded when Phil Marsh missed a penalty with Harrogate 2-0 up.

FC also began the second period poorly, and slipped further behind before Carden turned home Rob Nugent’s header from a corner to make it 3-1 in the 63rd minute.

Midfielder Carden then capped a fine team move for his second of the afternoon with six minutes remaining, but Harrogate held on to advance to the first round.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Harrogate survive FC United scare

Source: BBC

Harrogate Town survived a nervous six minutes of stoppage time to beat FC United of Manchester 3-2 at Gigg Lane to reach the FA Trophy first round.

Craig James, Rory Coleman and Andy Nowakowski gave Town a 3-0 lead before Simon Carden scored two for the hosts.

Aaron Ratchford's penalty save for Town just before half-time proved crucial.

Town manager Simon Weaver told BBC Radio York: "We could have been four, five or six (up), but in the end we defended very, very well."

Weaver added: "It was very demanding on our defenders and goalkeeper (at the end), they threw everyone forward and had nothing to lose."

Carden's second goal came on 85 minutes, but Town then had to defend for another eleven minutes.

"I do believe in this back four and the goalkeeper," Weaver added, "but it's cup football and they ended up playing four up (front).

"I was saying "don't go gung-ho," because we were still throwing bodies forward in the last couple of minutes. It's outrageous sometimes."

Weaver felt the penalty was a dubious decision, but was delighted to see Ratchford make what turned out to be a critical save.

"I just had a funny feeling when (FC United's Phil Marsh) stepped up, Ratchford looked pretty big in those nets and he pulled off a fine save."

And now the Harrogate boss is looking forward to the next round.

"I just want a spirit to run though the club. We're really grafting to make something that was nothing at the beginning of the season.

"We've had a few hard knocks. The ones here now are the ones who were strong enough to have taken them and to get better in their own performances."

Hucknall boss Chambers admits tactical gaffe

Source: This is Nottingham
Friday, November 20, 2009, 07:00


HUCKNALL Town manager Bryan Chambers today took the blame for last week's home defeat to FC United of Manchester and insisted: "I won't make the same mistake again."

Chambers is one of the most experienced managers on the non-league scene and reckons he has clocked up close to 2,000 games in the dug-out.

But he says the 3-2 Watnall Road defeat shows he is still learning – even with his vast knowledge.

The boss has always prided himself on doing his homework on opposing teams.

But against United he chose instead to concentrate on his own team's strengths – and his lack of scouting quickly backfired.

Hucknall trailed 3-0 at the break but after a tactical change only lost 3-2 and missed a penalty.

Chambers is convinced the Yellows would have won if he'd prepared for the game in his normal manner.

"I have to hold my hands up and say to the fans it was a mistake on my part, just as I have told that to the players," he said.

"I usually know everything about the opposition, but on this occasion I decided not to worry about them and concentrated on us.

"As soon as I had seen how they played in the first half, I changed it around and put three in midfield.

"I told the players to get their heads up and said we would still get something out of the game with the new tactics – and we should have done.

"We won the second half 2-0 and missed a penalty and the majority of the fans praised the way we played and the entertainment we gave them.

"But I have learned a valuable lesson and I shall be making sure I do all the scouting I need to from now on."

Tomorrow, Hucknall visit an Ashton side who are third in the table, even though they have a goal difference of minus six.

Chambers is expecting a tough time of things at Hurst Cross. He said: "When we played them at our place we should have won comfortably but missed a lot of chances (losing 2-1).

"The fact they are so well placed shows they are not a bad side, even though they have lost a fair few games.

"There's not a lot of difference between the top and bottom – and that's reflected by the spread of points.

"I think the reason is that some of the sides, like us, have over-achieved for the money they are paying out and other big-spending sides have lost a few games unexpectedly.

"Put those two things together and that is why there is not much to choose between all the sides."

Adrian Hawes should be fit after being carried off against FC United with a leg injury but Gary Sucharewycz joined Grantham earlier this week.

From The Bolton News

Edited from: The Bolton News

...

FC United will look to put their FA Cup disappointment behind them when they hit the Wembley trail again.

The Rebels missed out on a glamour televised tie with Charlton after crashing out against Northwich in the previous round.

The UniBond Premier League side have another chance to progress in a cup competition — and a £4,000 pay day — when they take on Harrogate Town from the division above at Gigg Lane tomorrow in their third qualifying round clash.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Chasetown Scholars 1 FC United of Manchester 2

Source: The Lichfield Blog

FC United of Manchester came from behind for a 2-1 victory over Chasetown’s young guns in the Conference Youth Alliance North at Great Wyrley.

The Scholars held sway for much of the first half, but their opponents were well up to the task and eventually proved the stronger in a close-run contest.

The first chance fell to the visitors as a move by Jay Walcott and Scott Cheetham saw the latter fire over the bar, before on 15 minutes Lee Wright’s shot went wide.

Much of the first half’s play was very evenly matched as Chasetown took the game to their rivals, Todd Evans and Jack Pearce blocking the attack of Ferre Edwards on 21 minutes, and three minutes later the Scholars were ahead. A ball in from the right was deflected away by keeper Mark Simms and Chad Degville was there to fire the loose ball high into the net.

The Reds’ response was immediate with Dale Faultless diving low to stop a shot from the speedy Stefanos Ioannou, and Chasetown continued to impress with Zach Cogger going close only to see his shot forced out for a corner by Edwards and Pearce blocking Gage Eme’s shot on 38 minutes.

The hosts held onto their lead until half time, with Cogger unfortunately suffering a neck injury following a challenge in the closing moments of the half.

The scores were levelled just four minutes after the break when Walcott fired a low shot past the diving Faultless into the far corner, and the Reds began to push ever harder to take the lead.

Troy Hemus tried a speculative shot for the Scholars and Degville looked for a second but fired over, while substitute Mark Potts was stopped by Edwards at the point of shooting as Chasetown tried hard to restore their lead.

It was the Reds who were next to find the target, however, as a well-placed header on 68 minutes cleared the Scholars defence allowing Walcott to fire his second goal past Faultless.

An appeal for a penalty was then turned down after some apparent pushing in the area following a Scholars corner, and a further corner from Theo Robinson was headed just wide by Jack Farmer. The visitors kept up the pressure, however, and managed to hang on for victory as Chasetown began to tire in the closing minutes.

Chasetown: Faultless, Farmer, Hemus, Lane, Evans, Pearce, Degville, Westwood, Cogger, Robinson, Wright. Subs: Potts (Cogger 45), Black (Lane 74), Becque, Scragg (Wright 60), Moorhouse, Gaur, Wiggins.
FC United of Manchester: Simms, Shambaer, Banda, Clarke, Buckley, Edwards, Ioannou, Booth, Eme, Walcott, Cheetham. Subs: Guthrie (Buckley 70), Williams, Francis, Bright (Clarke 41).

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Supporters bus available for Kendal Town trip to FC United of Manchester

Source: Westmorland Gazette

5:29pm Wednesday 18th November 2009

By Patrick O'Kane

Kendal Town supporters wishing to travel to next Saturday's game against FC United of Manchester at Gigg Lane, Bury, should contact the club.

Fans can leave messages declaring their plan to travel on the bus on the club's fans' forum page.

Tickets for the bus cost £10 for adult non-members and £8 for supporters club members and children.

Any supporters travelling on the bus should be at Parkside Road for noon next Saturday, November 28.

At present only one bus is travelling to the match so tickets will go on a first come first serve basis.

It’s full time for football liasion police officer Tony

Source: Bury Times

10:59am Wednesday 18th November 2009

A police officer has blown the final whistle on his career after spending almost a decade keeping an eye on the terraces at Bury FC.

PC Tony Brown has retired from Greater Manchester Police after 20 years.

Much of his work involved keeping visitors to Gigg Lane safe in his role as Bury FC’s football liaison officer.

The officer joined GMP in 1990 after serving with the Military Police and all his career was spent working on Bury division which included an eight year stint as a neighbourhood officer in Ramsbottom.

He travelled the country with Bury FC and helped establish FC United at Gigg Lane in 2005.

He said: “I have enjoyed every minute of my career and have made many lifelong friends in the community, football and in the force.

“I am looking forward to spending more time with my family. However, I will miss the camaraderie between officers and staff at Bury. I will also miss the challenges the job brings and the feeling of satisfaction that comes from successfully tackling criminals and making the borough safer.”

Bury FC secretary, Jill Neville said: “We wish Tony the best for the future and I can speak for everyone at the club when I say we have always thought of him as more of a good friend rather than a work colleague.”

Bury divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Jon Rush commented: “Tony has been a great asset to this division and will be missed by his many friends and colleagues in Bury.”

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

WONDER SAVE: Hucknall Town penalty heartbreak - VIDEO

Source: The Star

Published Date: 17 November 2009
By Bob Westerdale

WATCH this super save which stopped Hucknall Town from a chance to draw level after they had trailed 3-0 to FC United of Manchester.
The Notts side looked well and truly out of last Saturday's Unibond League, Premier Division game at half time.

A stirring rally brought them two goals - and the chance to level or even win as the tide turned their way.

But Laurie Wilson's hard-hit spot-kick was sensationally saved by FC keeper Sam Ashton, much to the delight of 400 travelling Mancunians.

Watch Sam Ashton's double-handed save - this video can also be viewed on the iPhone. CLICK HERE.

Retford United are currently top of the division with Stocksbridge Park Steels in fifth. Worksop Town are 15th.

Do you have any amazing video clips of sporting action during your local league matches? E-mail us video clips, up to 8mb, or above that send your links tostaronline@sheffieldnewspapers.co.uk

Monday, November 16, 2009

Football round-up and FC United tickets to be won

Edited from: Manchester Confidential
...
In the Unibond Premier League there was happier news for FC United, who clung on to a half time 3-0 lead at Hucknall Town to run out eventual 3-2 winners – though only after goalkeeper Sam Ashton had saved a penalty.for the Rebels, and the team had endured a nail-biting final few minutes after Tyreisse Nightingale (Is this crazy name week? Ed) grabbed a second for the hosts. Former Old Trafford striker Phil Marsh had earlier bagged a first half brace for FC.

The win pulls the Rebels up to sixteenth place in the Unibond Premier with two or three games in hand over their rivals following the team’s unprecedented FA Cup run. A few wins under their belt might make a promotion challenge look feasible.

FC’s next Unibond Premier League home game is against Kendal Town on November 28, and we have two tickets to offer Confidential readers, plus the chance to meet manager Karl Marginson and his men - courtesy of those nice chaps who run the club.

For the chance to win them, all you have to do is fill in the form below. Closing date is noon next Monday, 23 November. (click the link to the original article (top of page) to access the form - ed).

Back to the drawing board for beaten Town

Source: Hucknall Today

Published Date: 16 November 2009

HUCKNALL Town can expect a couple of stringent training sessions this week after failing to build on their superb victory at high-flying Retford United.
Town thought they had put their dismal run of form behind them last midweek when winning 2-1 at Retford, who are now the Unibond League, Premier Division leaders.

But instead they took another step backwards when suffering a 3-2 defeat at home to lowly FC United Of Manchester at Watnall Road on Saturday (November 14) – and also missing a penalty.

The outcome was effectively sealed in the first half when United, who began the game in the relegation zone, surged into a 3-0 lead.

Phil Marsh picked up a loose ball to slot home from 12 yards in the eighth minute. Jake Cottrell doubled the lead on 27 when Town failed to clear a cross from the left. And man-of-the-match Marsh netted again, from close range, in first half injury-time.

The Yellows rallied after the break in front of their biggest crowd of the season of 573, which was swelled by more than 300 travelling fans supporting the visitors.

Recalled striker Antwon Bonnick cut the deficit on 67 when firing home from 15 yards. And they should have scored again eight minutes later when Laurie Wilson's spot-kick was brilliantly tipped round a post by United 'keeper Sam Ashton.

Town did finally pull another back three minutes from time, through top scorer Tyeisse 'TJ' Nightingale. But it came too late to salvage a point.

The Yellows now face a difficult trip to third-placed Ashton United in their next Unibond match this coming Saturday (November 21).

TOWN LINE-UP (4-4-2) – Haystead/ Walters C., Shiels, Hawes, Meikle/ Wiggins-Thomas, Ward, Wilson, Hawkridge/ Nightingale Bonnick. Subs: McCormick, Smedley, Kelly, Pembleton, Ibrahim.

Friday, November 13, 2009

YELLOWS PREVIEW: health scare ahead of FC United clash

Source: Hucknall Today

Published Date: 13 November 2009
PIG-sick Hucknall Town are hoping they don't get struck down by swine flu on the eve of their eagerly-awaited clash with rebel club FC United Of Manchester at Watnall Road on Saturday (November 14).
The match is sure to attract Watnall Road's biggest crowd of the season because FC United always take hundreds of fans with them for away games. And it will be a big boost for The Yellows to ease their cashflow problems.

But illness could yet affect the contest after Town manager Bryan Chambers revealed that winger Nathan Kelly has been struck down with the notorious swine flu bug.

Kelly was sick on the Watnall Road pitch after going on as a 79th-minute substitute during The Yellows' 1-1 draw with Nantwich Town on Saturday November 7. He was also sick after the game.

Chambers said: "His mum phoned me the day after and told me he has swine flu. Hopefully no-one else has picked it up off him, although Gary Sucharewycz has had a bit of flu recently.

"I hope we don't get an epidemic in the squad because then the kids from the academy will definitely have to come in!"

FC United and their travelling bandwagons will roll up hoping, like Town, for a good result to get their season going.

For they have flattered to deceive so far this term and sit in the relegation zone of the Unibond League, Premier Division. They have 17 points from 14 games, having won five, drawn two and lost seven.

Managed by Karl Marginson, FC United were formed in 2005 by disillusioned Manchester United supporters who were unhappy at Malcolm Glazer's USA takeover at Old Trafford.

Marginson, a former player with Blackpool and Rotherham United, has been manager since FC United were founded.

They play at Gigg Lane, the home of Coca-Cola League Two side Bury, where they have an average attendance of 1,969 in the league this season.

At three of their eight homes games, the crowd has swelled above 2,000.
In their six away games, the average crowd figure is 743, with two of the games seeing crowds above 1,000.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Rebels slump further

Source: Manchester Evening News

November 09, 2009

FC United have slipped to second-bottom of the Unibond Premier League after a 1-0 home defeat to Buxton, writes SAM WILLIAMS.

The Rebels dominated for long periods of the game, but were undone in the 52nd minute when a mix-up allowed Buxton ace Gavin Knight to chip Sam Ashton from 20 yards.

"We didn't deserve to lose the game," said boss Karl Marginson.

"On another day, we would have scored three or four and gone away with the three points."

Phil Marsh, Simon Carden, and Tong all had good opportunities to equalise but Buxton stood firm.

Saturday, November 07, 2009

Some changes are just too hard to swallow

Source: Irish Times

The Irish Times - Saturday, November 7, 2009

SOCCER ANGLES: Some supporters have been so disillusioned with the direction their clubs have taken, they have walked away and formed their own, writes MICHAEL WALKER

THERE ARE weeks when you simply feel like walking away. This is one of them. This has been one of those weeks when you feel old, out of time and beyond comeback. You feel that the accumulation of dissatisfaction at the way the game has gone, and at who is leading it wherever, means that you will never be able to recover the enthusiasm that brought you grinning with anticipation to the grounds in the first place.

There are small landmarks along the way that you notice individually and collectively. You shake your head but you move on because that is what you do.

Sponsorship on shirts – that was a big moment (just how clean and attractive did Liverpool’s sponsor-less jerseys look in Lyon on Wednesday night?). And for all of us there comes a point where you start asking yourself about the whole thing, the game as a whole.

Does it matter to you in its morphed form the way it used to? Why is it frequently so irritating? Why do businessmen keep wanting to change it to cover up mistakes they have made? It shouldn’t be like this. We should be revelling in the intrigue of the most interesting Premier League season, arguably, since its inception 17 years ago. Manchester City and Liverpool are almost worthy of daily commentaries on their own – and often receive them.

There is a puzzling feel to Manchester United’s form, while Arsenal’s upsurge will be measured afresh when they host Chelsea at Ashburton Grove at the end of the month.

Ashburton Grove. This is one of the streets that circles Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. For a short time, prior to the selling of ‘naming rights’, that is how Arsenal’s new home was known – Ashburton Grove.

For those inclined not to refer to limited companies when they discuss goings on at grounds, Ashburton Grove fulfilled/fulfils a purpose. Keeps you connected.

But already you sense that year by year, as Emirates embeds itself in the collective consciousness, references to Ashburton Grove will dwindle.

Emirates, an airline, have signed a 15-year deal with Arsenal to sponsor the stadium. Fifteen years is a long time and in the continual loop of 24-hour football coverage it means that the word Emirates must be mentioned nationally dozens of times a day, maybe hundreds of times on matchdays.

Does this make you want to get to Heathrow pronto? I don’t know, but it does means that the term Emirates will be linked, in fact entwined, with Arsenal to all of those born this century.

It will then be up to others to explain Highbury, marble and Herbert Chapman.

When we were young we learned this by osmosis. Presumably this is the same process the branding people are relying upon when they persuade businesses to attach themselves to sport. To some of us Formula One is a cavalcade of advertising yet to many fans of that particular enterprise there seems to be no pause whatsoever sparked by the names of Red Bull, Renault and the like. Its part of their scene, part of their culture.

There has never been the same prominence in football, but that is changing and not only at sportsdirect.com@ St James’ Park stadium. (Wow).

Giovanni Trapattoni’s former club were Red Bull Salzburg and once we got over the initial chuckle about that, references to Red Bull Salzburg became commonplace.

What was mentioned less was the club called Austria Salzburg. It was founded in 1933 and formed the basis of what is now Red Bull Salzburg. Red Bull changed the club’s colours to match theirs and the new management reportedly decreed: “This is a new club with no history.” Alienated Austria Salzburg supporters said no thanks to this and, as with FC United of Manchester, waltzed off with determination and pride to form their own new club – called, once again, Austria Salzburg. Starting in the seventh tier of Austrian football, they are now in tier four.

Just as fans of AFC Wimbledon – and FC United – have proved, it can be done. These people had such a strong feeling that the game they loved was wrong, so they walked away. This is intense emotion and at its beginning must entail a thrilling release. It’s sustaining it that must be problematic.

Because the mainstream goes on and you have bought your ticket out of it. And then you look over your shoulder and find that not only is it still going on, it’s bloody interesting too.

But look closer and the problems surface. Bolton Wanderers left Burnden Park for the Reebok Stadium 12 years ago. Last season the average home gate was 22,500, Bolton finished 13th bringing this season a ninth consecutive year in the Premier League. But on Thursday they released their latest financial figures showing they are £60 million in debt.

Why? Essentially because Bolton pay their players too well. This means debt which in turn has led chairman Phil Gartside to seek extra revenue. He is proposing that Rangers and Celtic be allowed into a reconfigured Premier League 2 so that clubs fighting for survival in the existing Premier League have a bigger safety net.

But here’s a question: why not pay your players less? If they don’t accept that, get others. If they’re worse, then accept relegation. Be self-sufficient. Don’t change the league to suit you.

But no. Instead of self-sufficiency, it’s all about how matters as important as the name of Stamford Bridge can be altered as the economic scramble goes on. And who benefits, and for what?

Drogba a good reason to watch

DIDIER DROGBA is 6 to 1 to be first scorer in the Chelsea-Manchester United match tomorrow. That’s the same Drogba who has scored in eight of his last nine Chelsea appearances and who struck another two goals at Atletico Madrid this week.

If there were a vote now for Player of the Season, Drogba would be a contender along with Vermaelen at Arsenal and Bellamy at Manchester City. Drogba’s equaliser at Stoke was as beautiful as it was brutal.

We have known the man from the Ivory Coast for over five years since his £24 million transfer from Marseilles in those early Jose Mourinho days. On many occasions he has been correctly criticised for his willingness to go to ground and his emotional volatility – hence his Uefa ban this season.

But as was the case with Robert Pires when he was at Arsenal, the longer he stayed, the more we appreciated what he brought. It is the same with Drogba: he is some player, some leader and some scorer. A reason to watch.

Rebels focus on promotion

Source: Manchester Evening News

Sam Williams

November 06, 2009
KARL Marginson says that FC United must now turn their attention fully to the main objective of their season - gaining promotion to the Blue Square North.

Despite their exploits in cup competitions, the Rebels have had an indifferent start to their Unibond Premier League campaign and sit in 17th place, albeit with games in hand on the sides around them.

However, Marginson believes that his side can kick-start their title challenge against Buxton at Gigg Lane tomorrow (3pm).

“The league is any team’s bread and butter and it’s paramount to us this season,” said Marginson.

“We have to focus on the league games coming up now, and the sooner we start climbing the table, the better,” he added.

Buxton are currently second-bottom of the league, but Marginson thinks that position doesn’t do John Reed’s side justice and is taking nothing for granted ahead of their clash.

“They’re in a similar situation to us, in that they’ve done well in the cup competition so they have games in hand in the league,” said the FC boss.

“Just as we believe that we’re in a false league position at the moment, Buxton probably think the same.

“They’re a good, experienced side who will put us under a lot of pressure,” he added.

Marginson does not feel that Wednesday’s hard-fought extra time victory over Lancaster will have any effect on his players’ fitness against Buxton, and he may also have Rob Nugent back as the defender recovers from a dead leg.

“The lads will have had the best part of three days off so they’ll be raring to go again,” said the manager.

“I think Rob might be available, but Dave Chadwick and Danny Warrender are both still struggling” he added.

Friday, November 06, 2009

Buckley gaffe forces Daisy AFC replay

Source: The Bolton News

10:30am Friday 6th November 2009
By Gordon Sharrock »

FOOTBALL: Daisy Hill have been ordered to replay their Division One game against AFC Liverpool, which they won 5-4 in September, because they fielded a player who should have been serving a suspension.

John Buckley, who is on loan at New Sirs from FC United and scored a hat-trick in Daisy’s win, was handed a seven-day suspension in the summer after accruing five cautions playing for FC’s Youth team and Mancat College last season.

None of the clubs were aware the suspension had been handed down, nor was the player, but it was later discovered that the he was ineligible for the game. Daisy Hill have been fined by the Lancashire FA while Buckley has been fined and handed an additional three-match suspension.

The NW Counties League have ordered that all record of the September 5 fixture be declared null and void and have ordered the game to be replayed.

Daisy Hill secretary Bob Naylor insisted neither the club nor the player were aware that he was ineligible for the game.

“We’ve fallen foul of circumstances beyond our control,” he said.

Meanwhile, Daisy Hill are on weather watch in the build-up to tomorrow’s Division One game at home to Chadderton.

Heavy rain forced the postponement of their Co-Operative Lancashire Trophy tie at Marine on Tuesday night and with more wet weather forecast, many of this weekend’s NW Counties fixtures are under threat.

Division One rivals Atherton Collieries are at home to mid-table Cheadle Town, kick off 3pm, and Premier Division Atherton LR whose midweek home fixture against Glossop North End was their third postponement of the autumn, travel to lowly Ashton Athletic.

Rovers League Cup replay against Daisy Hill has been arranged for Tuesday, November 17 at Crilly Park, which has forced the postponement of the league game against Winsford, which was scehduled for that date.

The home game against Bacup Borough, which was scheduled for November 24, has been brought forward to Tuesday, November 10, but LR still have four home and two away matches to be rearranged.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

FA Trophy: FC United trip for Town in next round

Source: Harrogate Today

Published Date: 05 November 2009
HARROGATE Town will travel to Manchester United rebel side FC United in the FA Trophy after FC's 1-0 victory over Lancaster City last night.


Simon Weaver's side will play the contest in front of a bumper crowd at Gigg Lane, home of Bury FC.

The game will be played on November 21.

United waste Trophy chance

Source: Bury Times

FC United threw away a two-goal lead as Lancaster City forced a replay in their FA Trophy clash.

The UniBond League Division One North outfit led 3-1 with seven minutes left at the Giant Axe in the second qualifying round tie.

But Lancaster, from the league below, struck twice late on to send the game to a replay.

The two sides were due to meet again last night with a home draw against Harrogate Town, bottom of the Blue Square North, awaiting the winner.

“We should have seen the game through, but we didn’t kill it off and that’s something the players have to learn to do very quickly,” said manager Karl Marginson.

Rob Nugent, David Chadwick and Danny Warrender were all doubts for the replay with Lancaster and could all miss Saturday’s home league game with Buxton.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

FC United 1 Lancaster City 0 (AET)

Source: Manchester Evening News

Sam Williams

November 04, 2009

FC United are through to the FA Trophy third qualifying round after beating 10-man Lancaster 1-0 after extra time in last night’s second round replay at Gigg Lane.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute when midfielder Chris Ward recklessly challenged Jerome Wright from behind.

FC predictably dominated possession with the extra man. However they failed to seriously test Martin Fearon throughout the remainder of the first half.

The home side began the second half on the front foot and Adam Tong forced Fearon into a great save in the 49th minute.

The Rebels continued to press in search of the elusive opening goal and substitute Simon Carden went close 15 minutes from time, but the visitors stood firm to force extra time.

The breakthrough finally came in the 93rd minute as Ben Deegan headed home Jerome Wright’s cross to set up a home tie against Harrogate Town on Saturday, November 21.

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

FOOTBALL STAR CELEBRATED GOAL ALONE

Source: Daily Star

THERE has been the dive, the one-hand salute, the aeroplane and the cartwheel somersault, but a clip of a non-league football player doing something else has been found.

Matt Russell, playing for Castleton Gabriels in 2005, scored a goal against FC United midway through the first-half.

Despite trailing 3-0, he ran away from his team mates to celebrate on his own by jumping over advertising boards and sat down in an empty stand.

He then started clapping, as if he was a supporter applauding the goal he had just seen.

Unfortunately, his celebration failed to grab the headlines - FC United won 10-2.

Lancaster City 3-3 FC United

Source: Lancaster Guardian

Published Date: 02 November 2009

LANCASTER CITY (1) 3
Sharrock 45, 86, Connerton 83
FC UNITED (2) 3
Yoffe 15, 21, Roca 75
FA TROPHY 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND
AN 86TH MINUTE equaliser from Roger Sharrocks kept Lancaster City in the FA Trophy at Giant Axe on Saturday.

Sharrock's second goal of the game and a superb strike from Jordan Connerton silenced FC United's travelling masses and forced a replay at
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Gigg lane, to be played this Wednesday.

The Dolly Blues got off to a nervy start, and were punished, they were two-nil down after 21 minutes.

First Joseph Yoffe caught City's back-line flat-footed, latching on to Jake Cottrell's pass he clipped a neat shot in off the right-hand post.

Six minutes later Yoffe struck again, the usually impeccable Martin Fearon fumbled a cross which fell at the striker's feet for an easy finish.

City did force a couple of good chances; first Paul Jarvis stung the 'keeper's gloves with a rasping effort, then Mike Rushton's shot was tipped onto the woodwork by Sam Ashton in the FC United net, he stood no chance of saving Connerton's header but again the bar denied City.

Fearon atoned for his earlier error with a stunning double save to deny Cotterell and then Phil Marsh as the game flew from end to end.

City finished the half on a high, nerves seemingly banished they started playing football and deservedly pulled a goal back through Roger Sharrock who poked home Connerton's fumbled strike.

The Dolly Blues showed excellent fighting spirit in a cracking second-half. They had the lion's share of the ball and territory and it looked like broken hearts all round when Carlos Roca hit a stunning third for the visitors.

However City do not give up this season, and they still pressed and pressed forward. Connerton, who else, hit back in style on 83 minutes.
Deftly taking Adam Farrell's pass with his heel he swivelled and half-volleyed an unstoppable effort into the net.

Sharrock secured the replay three minutes later after he found space and converted Max Rothwell's pass.

LANCASTER CITY: Fearon 6, Henry 7, Marshall 7, Teague 7, Stringfellow 7 (Rothwell 80), Ward D 8, Rushton 7 (Farrell 65), Ward C 7 (Wilson 80), Connerton 8, Jarvis 7, Sharrock 7
Subs not used: Beesley, Heffernan

FC UNITED: Ashton, Warrender, Qusitin, Moses, Tong, Nugent, Roca (Mack 84), Cottrell, Yoffe, Wright, Marsh (Deegan 69)
Subs not used: Carden, Garner, Neville

Referee Chris Backhouse

Attendance 743

STARMAN Dominic Ward Never stops running, some key interceptions

Monday, November 02, 2009

Injury worries for FC United

Source: Manchester Evening News

Sam Williams

November 02, 2009
FC UNITED may be without the injured Rob Nugent, Dave Chadwick and Danny Warrender for their FA Trophy replay with Lancaster on Wednesday.

The defensive trio all picked up knocks in Saturday's thrilling second qualifying round tie which finished 3-3.

The Rebels led 3-1 with just seven minutes remaining, but a late fight-back from the home side saw them draw level to set up the replay at Gigg Lane.

"We should have seen the game through, but we didn't kill it off and that's something the players have to learn to do very quickly," said FC boss Karl Marginson.

Joe Yoffe bagged a brace inside the opening 21 minutes for the Rebels.

Roger Sharrock pulled one back for Lancaster, but Carlos Roca looked to have put the tie beyond them with a superb effort 15 minutes from time.

However, goals from Jordan Connerton and Sharrock in the final minutes snatched an unlikely draw

Debutant Neil Chappell was a two-goal hero for Salford City as they eased into the third qualifying round with a 5-3 victory over Clitheroe.

Leigh and Witton Albion also went through, while Mossley will host Brackley on Tuesday in a replay.