Friday, April 20, 2012

FC United v Vics: preview - FC United of Manchester seek much-needed three points

 Source: Northwich Guardian

 FC United of Manchester v Northwich Victoria (Kick off 3pm)
Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division
Venue Gigg Lane, Bury, BL9 9HR
Away travel Leaves memorial hall at 12.30pm (Adults £8, Concessions £6)
Admission Adults £8, Concessions (NUS/OAP) £6, U18s £2
Odds (bet365) FC United 8/11, Draw 27/10, Vics 14/5
Previous Meeting FC United 1 Vics 0 (April 9, 2011)

FC United (from) Spencer (GK), Worsnop (GK), Battersby, Jacobs, Jones, Krou, Neville, Stott, Cheetham, Cottrell, Grimshaw, Johnson, Platt, Roca, Stones, Norton, Mulholland, Wolfenden
Doubtful none
Injured none
Suspended none
Disciplinary (to end of March 2012) Y54 R7
Top scorer Michael Norton (22)
Form (Past six home in league) D L W W W W
Record (Home) P20 W10 D5 L5 F41 A24 Pt35
Record (Overall) Pos6 P41 W20 D9 L12 F79 A50 Pts69

Vics (from) Hinchliffe (GK), Collins, Disney, Fitzpatrick, Kearney, Law, Smyth, Abbott, Armstrong, Field, Roddy, Woolfe, Budrys, Clarke, Johnson, Evans, Wade
Doubtful none
Injured Riley (knee), Short (groin)
Suspended none
Disciplinary (to end of March 2012) Y50 R5
Top scorer Wayne Riley (17)
Form (Past six away in league) D W L W L W
Record (Away) P20 W13 D4 L3 F37 A20 Pt43
Record (Overall) Pos2 P41 W26 D8 L7 F72 A39 Pts83 (three points deducted)

Match pointers
FC UNITED of Manchester must beat Northwich – and hope Worksop surprise Hednesford – to make safe a place in the play-offs.

The Rebels will take part in any case if Vics’ appeal against expulsion from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, to be held at Wembley on Tuesday, is unsuccessful.

The hosts have lost form at the wrong moment, failing to win any of their past four matches with three of those ending in defeat. It is their longest sequence without a victory this term as well.

Wednesday’s home draw with already-relegated Burscough did little to help, although it did mark the return of top scorer Michael Norton from suspension.

Northwich secured second spot in final table by beating Bradford Park Avenue in midweek, the 17th consecutive Premier Division encounter in which they have scored a goal.

Vics have a better record than anybody on the road against teams in the table’s top half, winning six of nine trips. Only champions Chester have a superior goals per game average too.

Management pair Martin Foyle and Alan Wright are likely to be without injured duo Wayne Riley (knee) and Lewis Short (groin) again, but John Disney is available after serving a three-matches ban.