Source: Guardian Unlimited
Manager Marginson says fans demand success in knock-out competitions
Tony Howard
Friday March 30, 2007
Guardian Unlimited
FC United will be hoping to earn a place in their first cup final this weekend. They may have won the league at their first attempt and set the pace in their second, but the team has so far struggled with cup competitions - something they aim to correct in the North West Counties League Challenge Cup semi-final against Congleton Town tomorrow.
The tie is poised at 2-2 from the first leg and the Gigg Lane crowd will be hoping their side can secure that final place and set up a possible league and cup double. Last season FC were knocked out of the League Cup by Colne and that disappointment was followed by their early exit from the FA Vase this term at the hands of Quorn FC, who sneaked the game with the last kick.
It has been business as usual in the North West Counties first division, in which they have a comfortable lead (eight points at the time of writing), but the Reds threw away a two-goal lead in the away leg of the cup semi-final. FC had been 2-0 up but The Bears, a nickname owed to Congleton's past as a town of bear-baiters, clawed their way back into the match and will be going all out to cause an upset.
As Manchester United fans, those Reds who swapped Old Trafford for Gigg Lane have been brought up on a glorious cup tradition and FC manager Karl Marginson is hoping his squad can finally get it right this time. Margy has called it the "biggest game for the club so far" and admits he is still trying to get a grip of how to approach cup matches "We feel that we owe our fans a cup final. One of the few disappointments of the club's history so far has been the lack of cup success. We are learning as we go along and haven't had many cup games, so have maybe been naive in the past.
"Perhaps we should have consolidated a bit more instead of going all out. But that's the Manchester United tradition and we aim to entertain our fans in the way they're used to and that means we need to do well in the cups."
The week after the semi-final those fans will travel to the Reds game at Ramsbottom on a steam train from Bury. The service has been run for many years along the old East Lancashire Railway line and Manchester United fans used the football specials that left Bury as recently as 1968. Over 300 supporters have booked on the Rammy Rattler and it's hoped the unusual method of transport will make for an enjoyable day all round as the team could take a giant leap towards the league title.
In the meantime the fans will be busy designing the club's new home shirt for next season. FC held its general meeting last week and supporters voted to change the club's home shirt for the first time, from the start of next season. The red shirt will once again be unique due to the lack of sponsorship across the chest and a competition has been launched for fans to submit their designs to the club by April 5.
It's certainly a busy time in the history of club as they prepare to celebrate their second anniversary. They'll hope for a happy birthday with the team going full steam ahead to that unique double.
· The second leg of the North West Counties League Challenge Cup semi-final takes place at Gigg Lane on Saturday, March 31; kick-off 3pm. Admission on the turnstiles is £7 adults, £5 over-60s and £2 under-18s.
Friday, March 30, 2007
FC on the cup trail
Source: thisislancashire.co.uk
By Liam Chronnell
FC United will be looking to make history when they attempt to reach their first ever cup final.
The breakaway club take on NWCL Division One rivals Congleton Town at Gigg Lane in the second leg of the League Challenge Cup semi-final tomorrow.
The contest is evenly poised after the non-league giants surrendered a two-goal advantage in the away tie to draw 2-2 - but the Rebels possess two crucial away goals.
Karl Marginson's men, who are red-hot favourites to win back-to-back titles, looked certainties for their first final after goals from Rhodri Giggs and Rory Patterson inside 20 minutes put them in control at Witton Albion's Wincham Park two weeks ago.
But United allowed the Bears, who have lost four of their last five games, to hit back and level matters - and Marginson is demanding a better display from his troops as they bid to set up a showdown with Curzon Ashton or Flixton at the Tameside Stadium on Thursday, May 3.
"Every credit to Congleton for the way they came back in the first leg; they showed a lot of character but we should already have put the game to bed," he said. "We didn't take our chances and the players know that I will be expecting better of them on Saturday."
Atherton LR, buoyed by their midweek success against Newcastle Town, will hope to continue to pull away from the wrong end of the table at Trafford.
In Division Two, Daisy Hill will be looking to seal a third League win in a row when they entertain third-placed Padiham at New Sirs.
By Liam Chronnell
FC United will be looking to make history when they attempt to reach their first ever cup final.
The breakaway club take on NWCL Division One rivals Congleton Town at Gigg Lane in the second leg of the League Challenge Cup semi-final tomorrow.
The contest is evenly poised after the non-league giants surrendered a two-goal advantage in the away tie to draw 2-2 - but the Rebels possess two crucial away goals.
Karl Marginson's men, who are red-hot favourites to win back-to-back titles, looked certainties for their first final after goals from Rhodri Giggs and Rory Patterson inside 20 minutes put them in control at Witton Albion's Wincham Park two weeks ago.
But United allowed the Bears, who have lost four of their last five games, to hit back and level matters - and Marginson is demanding a better display from his troops as they bid to set up a showdown with Curzon Ashton or Flixton at the Tameside Stadium on Thursday, May 3.
"Every credit to Congleton for the way they came back in the first leg; they showed a lot of character but we should already have put the game to bed," he said. "We didn't take our chances and the players know that I will be expecting better of them on Saturday."
Atherton LR, buoyed by their midweek success against Newcastle Town, will hope to continue to pull away from the wrong end of the table at Trafford.
In Division Two, Daisy Hill will be looking to seal a third League win in a row when they entertain third-placed Padiham at New Sirs.
Rebels turn eyes to first cup final
Source: Manchester Evening News
Stuart Brennan
29/ 3/2007
FC United bid for a place in their first cup final on Saturday when they host Congleton Town at Gigg Lane in the second leg of the NW Counties Challenge Cup.
The tie is nicely poised after a 2-2 draw in the first leg so manager Karl Marginson will draft in several fringe players for tonight's game against Silsden at Keighley.
The game marks a hectic spell of ten games in the final 30 days of the season, or 11 if they reach the cup final.
The Rebels have chalked up an unbeaten run of 15 games and Marginson says: "It's less than 48 hours before the semi-final so we will rest some of the lads.
"They have been fantastic in that run and some deserve a rest."
Stuart Brennan
29/ 3/2007
FC United bid for a place in their first cup final on Saturday when they host Congleton Town at Gigg Lane in the second leg of the NW Counties Challenge Cup.
The tie is nicely poised after a 2-2 draw in the first leg so manager Karl Marginson will draft in several fringe players for tonight's game against Silsden at Keighley.
The game marks a hectic spell of ten games in the final 30 days of the season, or 11 if they reach the cup final.
The Rebels have chalked up an unbeaten run of 15 games and Marginson says: "It's less than 48 hours before the semi-final so we will rest some of the lads.
"They have been fantastic in that run and some deserve a rest."
Thursday, March 29, 2007
FC United boss in horror smash
Source: Manchester Evening News
Stuart Brennan
29/ 3/2007
THE manager of breakaway football team FC United has escaped a terrifying motorway smash.
Karl Marginson was working in his day job as a fruit and veg delivery man when a wheel came off his company van on the M60 at 6.30 am yesterday.
The vehicle swerved violently across two lanes of the motorway before coming to rest on the hard shoulder close to the junction with the M56 near Wythenshawe.
Shaken but unhurt, Karl helped to transfer his load of milk, bread, fruit and vegetables to another van and continue with his round.
Karl, 36, will also be able to resume his footballing duties when he leads his team out for a league match in Keighley, West Yorkshire, tonight.
"If it had been just half an hour later I am pretty sure I would have ended up in hospital, because the traffic was fairly light at the time it happened," he said.
"I heard a crunching noise from the wheel and the next thing I knew it had sheared off and I was shooting across two lanes. It was very frightening."
The father-of-two was appointed manager of FC United when the club was set up in 2005 by disgruntled fans of Manchester United who could not accept the takeover by American tycoon Malcolm Glazer.
He steered the club to promotion in their first season in the North West Counties Football League Division Two and they will go 11 points clear at the top in Division One if they win tonight.
Full load
Karl was heading to Parrs Wood Technology College in Didsbury for his first call of the day when the accident happened.
He was doing about 60mph and said his van had a full load.
"It all happened very quickly, it's only afterwards you think about what could've happened," he said.
"The weight of the van went straight on to the brake on the side where the wheel had been so if that had come off and the axle had dug in it might have tipped the van over.
"I was standing there waiting for a mechanic and within half an hour the motorway had filled up.
"So if it had happened a bit later the crash could have been a lot worse."
Last year the rebel club's manager was named Manchester's Sports Personality of the Month.
Leading the praise then was his boss, FC general manager Andy Walsh, who said: "No-one foresaw just how big the club was going to get. Lesser men might have buckled."
Stuart Brennan
29/ 3/2007
THE manager of breakaway football team FC United has escaped a terrifying motorway smash.
Karl Marginson was working in his day job as a fruit and veg delivery man when a wheel came off his company van on the M60 at 6.30 am yesterday.
The vehicle swerved violently across two lanes of the motorway before coming to rest on the hard shoulder close to the junction with the M56 near Wythenshawe.
Shaken but unhurt, Karl helped to transfer his load of milk, bread, fruit and vegetables to another van and continue with his round.
Karl, 36, will also be able to resume his footballing duties when he leads his team out for a league match in Keighley, West Yorkshire, tonight.
"If it had been just half an hour later I am pretty sure I would have ended up in hospital, because the traffic was fairly light at the time it happened," he said.
"I heard a crunching noise from the wheel and the next thing I knew it had sheared off and I was shooting across two lanes. It was very frightening."
The father-of-two was appointed manager of FC United when the club was set up in 2005 by disgruntled fans of Manchester United who could not accept the takeover by American tycoon Malcolm Glazer.
He steered the club to promotion in their first season in the North West Counties Football League Division Two and they will go 11 points clear at the top in Division One if they win tonight.
Full load
Karl was heading to Parrs Wood Technology College in Didsbury for his first call of the day when the accident happened.
He was doing about 60mph and said his van had a full load.
"It all happened very quickly, it's only afterwards you think about what could've happened," he said.
"The weight of the van went straight on to the brake on the side where the wheel had been so if that had come off and the axle had dug in it might have tipped the van over.
"I was standing there waiting for a mechanic and within half an hour the motorway had filled up.
"So if it had happened a bit later the crash could have been a lot worse."
Last year the rebel club's manager was named Manchester's Sports Personality of the Month.
Leading the praise then was his boss, FC general manager Andy Walsh, who said: "No-one foresaw just how big the club was going to get. Lesser men might have buckled."
Fans set to 'steam' their way to Rammy
Source: thisislancashire.co.uk
By Lindsay Southall
IT is full steam ahead for hundreds of FC United of Manchester fans when they arrive in Ramsbottom on Easter Saturday to watch their table-topping side.
A steam train, The Rammy Rattler, is fully booked with more than 300 supporters of the Red Rebels ahead of their game with Ramsbottom United on April 7.
Supporters will board the train at Heywood East Lancashire Railway Station at 11am arriving at Bolton Street station in Bury at 11.20am.
It will then reach Ramsbottom 25 minutes later and continue up to Rawtenstall before returning back to Ramsbottom for 12.30pm.
The fans will then pack into the Riverside Ground for the 3pm kick-off.
The Rammy Rattler has been arranged by the Bury and District Supporters Branch for FC United. Member Mark O'Rourke said: "The idea came from a chat over a pint last season when FC United looked likely to join Ramsbottom United in the North West Counties Football League Division One.
"We thought that, as supporters, we couldn't let this local fixture pass without doing something a bit different to mark it.
"I contacted the people at the East Lancs Railway who at first looked at me as though I was mad and then they could see I was serious in trying to re-enact the days when almost every fan made their way to the game on the train, the infamous Football Special'."
The plan was to fill one carriage with 64 fans but numbers continued to creep up as more heard about the idea until the train ended selling out with 320 supporters.
Ramsbottom United chairman Harry Williams said it would be the biggest attendance in the club's history.
"We have a capacity of 1,750 and entrance will be by ticket only.
"It is a big day for the club, and has taken a lot of planning, but we are really looking forward to it."
He added with a smile: "The bakers will probably have to work a nightshift on the Friday as we hope to sell plenty of pies."
By Lindsay Southall
IT is full steam ahead for hundreds of FC United of Manchester fans when they arrive in Ramsbottom on Easter Saturday to watch their table-topping side.
A steam train, The Rammy Rattler, is fully booked with more than 300 supporters of the Red Rebels ahead of their game with Ramsbottom United on April 7.
Supporters will board the train at Heywood East Lancashire Railway Station at 11am arriving at Bolton Street station in Bury at 11.20am.
It will then reach Ramsbottom 25 minutes later and continue up to Rawtenstall before returning back to Ramsbottom for 12.30pm.
The fans will then pack into the Riverside Ground for the 3pm kick-off.
The Rammy Rattler has been arranged by the Bury and District Supporters Branch for FC United. Member Mark O'Rourke said: "The idea came from a chat over a pint last season when FC United looked likely to join Ramsbottom United in the North West Counties Football League Division One.
"We thought that, as supporters, we couldn't let this local fixture pass without doing something a bit different to mark it.
"I contacted the people at the East Lancs Railway who at first looked at me as though I was mad and then they could see I was serious in trying to re-enact the days when almost every fan made their way to the game on the train, the infamous Football Special'."
The plan was to fill one carriage with 64 fans but numbers continued to creep up as more heard about the idea until the train ended selling out with 320 supporters.
Ramsbottom United chairman Harry Williams said it would be the biggest attendance in the club's history.
"We have a capacity of 1,750 and entrance will be by ticket only.
"It is a big day for the club, and has taken a lot of planning, but we are really looking forward to it."
He added with a smile: "The bakers will probably have to work a nightshift on the Friday as we hope to sell plenty of pies."
Rebels turn eyes to first cup final
Source: M.E.N.
Stuart Brennan
29/ 3/2007
FC United bid for a place in their first cup final on Saturday when they host Congleton Town at Gigg Lane in the second leg of the NW Counties Challenge Cup.
The tie is nicely poised after a 2-2 draw in the first leg so manager Karl Marginson will draft in several fringe players for tonight's game against Silsden at Keighley.
The game marks a hectic spell of ten games in the final 30 days of the season, or 11 if they reach the cup final.
The Rebels have chalked up an unbeaten run of 15 games and Marginson says: "It's less than 48 hours before the semi-final so we will rest some of the lads.
"They have been fantastic in that run and some deserve a rest."
Stuart Brennan
29/ 3/2007
FC United bid for a place in their first cup final on Saturday when they host Congleton Town at Gigg Lane in the second leg of the NW Counties Challenge Cup.
The tie is nicely poised after a 2-2 draw in the first leg so manager Karl Marginson will draft in several fringe players for tonight's game against Silsden at Keighley.
The game marks a hectic spell of ten games in the final 30 days of the season, or 11 if they reach the cup final.
The Rebels have chalked up an unbeaten run of 15 games and Marginson says: "It's less than 48 hours before the semi-final so we will rest some of the lads.
"They have been fantastic in that run and some deserve a rest."
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Fan to design Rebels shirt
Source: M.E.N.
Stuart Brennan
27/ 3/2007
NON LEAGUE FC United will change their home shirt next season - and one of their fans will design it.
The club's members voted 89 per cent in favour of ditching the original design after two seasons and bringing in a new kit for next term. Now the club are running a competition to come up with a new one.
Members narrowly voted down a proposal that the training kit should carry a sponsor's logo, in line with the policy that the first-team shirts should also be free of advertising.
But as the club seek to raise funds for their own stadium and to help them progress through the non-league pyramid - they are on course for promotion to the UniBond League - members decided it was time for a new home shirt.
"Unlike most football clubs, FC United are wholly owned by their members, and it is the members who decide on major issues, such as whether the club needs a new kit," said board member Scott Fletcher.
All designs should be sent to the club offices at 221 Ducie House, Ducie Street, Manchester M1 2JW or emailed to: office@fc-utd. co.uk by April 5 (5pm).
Stuart Brennan
27/ 3/2007
NON LEAGUE FC United will change their home shirt next season - and one of their fans will design it.
The club's members voted 89 per cent in favour of ditching the original design after two seasons and bringing in a new kit for next term. Now the club are running a competition to come up with a new one.
Members narrowly voted down a proposal that the training kit should carry a sponsor's logo, in line with the policy that the first-team shirts should also be free of advertising.
But as the club seek to raise funds for their own stadium and to help them progress through the non-league pyramid - they are on course for promotion to the UniBond League - members decided it was time for a new home shirt.
"Unlike most football clubs, FC United are wholly owned by their members, and it is the members who decide on major issues, such as whether the club needs a new kit," said board member Scott Fletcher.
All designs should be sent to the club offices at 221 Ducie House, Ducie Street, Manchester M1 2JW or emailed to: office@fc-utd. co.uk by April 5 (5pm).
Monday, March 26, 2007
FC strengthen grip on title
Source: thisislancashire.co.uk
By Liam Chronnell
FC UNITED stretched their lead at the top of the Division One table to eight points with a convincing 4-0 victory against bottom club Stone Dominoes.
Stuart Rudd's 38th goal of the season handed the breakaway club, who have three games in hand on their rivals, the lead in the 17th minute.
Strike partner Rory Patterson added a second on 33 minutes, and the contest was effectively over four minutes later when Jerome Wright bagged the visitors' third.
Patterson's second goal of the afternoon on 57 minutes completed the scoring.
Atherton Collieries' three-game winning run came to an end when they went down 2-1 at home to Colne.
Goals from Neil Harris and Steve Cunningham handed the points to the visitors, while David Rhodes late strike proved no more than a consolation for Colls.
Atherton LR's staged a brilliant fightback but had to settle for a point after conceding an injury-time equaliser in their 3-3 draw at Glossop North End.
Rovers found themselves 2-0 at the break, before goals from Rob Hope, Ian Berry and Stuart Wellstead looked like they had sealed an unlikely win, only for the home side to grab a share of the spoils in injury time.
Daisy Hill moved out of the bottom two for the first time this year as they overcame Castleton Gabriels 3-2.
John Fairhurst was the hero as he struck twice in the last 10 minutes to ensure Tommy Moore's side leapfrogged Castleton, who had a man sent off midway through the second half, in Division Two.
Dominic Shinks was also on target for the New Sirs club.
By Liam Chronnell
FC UNITED stretched their lead at the top of the Division One table to eight points with a convincing 4-0 victory against bottom club Stone Dominoes.
Stuart Rudd's 38th goal of the season handed the breakaway club, who have three games in hand on their rivals, the lead in the 17th minute.
Strike partner Rory Patterson added a second on 33 minutes, and the contest was effectively over four minutes later when Jerome Wright bagged the visitors' third.
Patterson's second goal of the afternoon on 57 minutes completed the scoring.
Atherton Collieries' three-game winning run came to an end when they went down 2-1 at home to Colne.
Goals from Neil Harris and Steve Cunningham handed the points to the visitors, while David Rhodes late strike proved no more than a consolation for Colls.
Atherton LR's staged a brilliant fightback but had to settle for a point after conceding an injury-time equaliser in their 3-3 draw at Glossop North End.
Rovers found themselves 2-0 at the break, before goals from Rob Hope, Ian Berry and Stuart Wellstead looked like they had sealed an unlikely win, only for the home side to grab a share of the spoils in injury time.
Daisy Hill moved out of the bottom two for the first time this year as they overcame Castleton Gabriels 3-2.
John Fairhurst was the hero as he struck twice in the last 10 minutes to ensure Tommy Moore's side leapfrogged Castleton, who had a man sent off midway through the second half, in Division Two.
Dominic Shinks was also on target for the New Sirs club.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Stone Dominoes 0 FC United 4
Source: M.E.N.
24/ 3/2007
FC UNITED extended their unbeaten run to a club record of 15 games with 4 - 0 win over bottom placed Stone Dominoes.
Man of the match, Rory Patterson netted twice in a straight forward victory for the Reds at Lyme Valley Stadium.
Karl Marginson's team now have to win 7 of their remaining league games to guarantee the NWCFL Division 1 title.
With United playing against a youthful Dominoes team which has only managed 6 points this season, the 840 strong crowd was expecting an easy run for the rebels. But the hosts made a match of it in the opening period until United took the lead on 18 minutes when Stuart Rudd prodded home a loose ball in the box.
The match became an increasingly one-sided affair when Rory Patterson hit his first on 34 minutes shooting low into the corner.
Jerome Wright added a third four minutes later with hard left foot drive.
Stone Dominoes brought on two subs and rearranged the team at half time, only for Patterson to quickly score the goal of the game, a brilliant strike from the edge of the area.
The frustrations in the home team boiled over a minute later when Wayne Teague was shown a straight red for lashing out at United's Alex Mortimer.
With three points in the bag, United eased the pressure on 10 man Dominoes in the final half hour, while the singing support led by actor Will Mellor, celebrated another success on the road.
24/ 3/2007
FC UNITED extended their unbeaten run to a club record of 15 games with 4 - 0 win over bottom placed Stone Dominoes.
Man of the match, Rory Patterson netted twice in a straight forward victory for the Reds at Lyme Valley Stadium.
Karl Marginson's team now have to win 7 of their remaining league games to guarantee the NWCFL Division 1 title.
With United playing against a youthful Dominoes team which has only managed 6 points this season, the 840 strong crowd was expecting an easy run for the rebels. But the hosts made a match of it in the opening period until United took the lead on 18 minutes when Stuart Rudd prodded home a loose ball in the box.
The match became an increasingly one-sided affair when Rory Patterson hit his first on 34 minutes shooting low into the corner.
Jerome Wright added a third four minutes later with hard left foot drive.
Stone Dominoes brought on two subs and rearranged the team at half time, only for Patterson to quickly score the goal of the game, a brilliant strike from the edge of the area.
The frustrations in the home team boiled over a minute later when Wayne Teague was shown a straight red for lashing out at United's Alex Mortimer.
With three points in the bag, United eased the pressure on 10 man Dominoes in the final half hour, while the singing support led by actor Will Mellor, celebrated another success on the road.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Reds boss calls for title push
Source: thisislancashire.co.uk
By Liam Chronnell
MANAGER Karl Marginson has called for a final push as FC United chase their double dream.
Just 12 games stand between the rebel club and League and Cup glory this season.
The Gigg Lane outfit are top of the NWCL League Division One table and in pole position to reach the Challenge Cup final, after drawing the away leg of the semi-final 2-2 with Congleton Town.
And Marginson has urged his players to keep up their outstanding form as FC reach the business-end of the campaign.
"We in a fantastic position and just need to see it home now," said the Reds boss, whose team travel to bottom club Stone Dominoes on Saturday.
"We've been superb for the biggest part of the season. Now we've got to do it when it really matters."
United increased their chances of achieving back-to-back titles with a resounding 5-1 victory at Abbey Hey at the weekend.
The breakaway club, who have four games in hand on their closest rivals, Salford City, were two up inside 17 minutes thanks to goals from Simon Carden and Josh Howard.
The home side pulled one back eight minutes later through Steve Lesters, but Stuart Rudd put paid to Abbey Hey's hopes of a fightback when he grabbed a third a minute after the restart.
Top-scorer Rudd added his second just before the hour mark and Howard sealed a convincing victory when he completed his double with 19 minutes left.
"It was a good result and, more importantly, it was a good performance," said Marginson, who had been unhappy with his players after they threw away a two-goal lead in the semi-final at Congleton two days earlier.
"I was disappointed with how we handled the semi-final; we took our foot off the gas but we were a lot more professional against Abbey Hey."
Three more points seem a certainty on Saturday, as the free-scoring Reds travel to basement club Stone Dominoes, who have the unenviable record of possessing the division's leakiest defence after shipping 112 goals in the league alone.
But Marginson insists he will not be taking anything for granted ahead of United's clash at the Lyme Valley Stadium.
He said: "I think they have just been a little bit naive this season. They are quite a young side but have some talented players.
"But one thing Stone will definitely do is get the ball down and play football, and that will suit us."
By Liam Chronnell
MANAGER Karl Marginson has called for a final push as FC United chase their double dream.
Just 12 games stand between the rebel club and League and Cup glory this season.
The Gigg Lane outfit are top of the NWCL League Division One table and in pole position to reach the Challenge Cup final, after drawing the away leg of the semi-final 2-2 with Congleton Town.
And Marginson has urged his players to keep up their outstanding form as FC reach the business-end of the campaign.
"We in a fantastic position and just need to see it home now," said the Reds boss, whose team travel to bottom club Stone Dominoes on Saturday.
"We've been superb for the biggest part of the season. Now we've got to do it when it really matters."
United increased their chances of achieving back-to-back titles with a resounding 5-1 victory at Abbey Hey at the weekend.
The breakaway club, who have four games in hand on their closest rivals, Salford City, were two up inside 17 minutes thanks to goals from Simon Carden and Josh Howard.
The home side pulled one back eight minutes later through Steve Lesters, but Stuart Rudd put paid to Abbey Hey's hopes of a fightback when he grabbed a third a minute after the restart.
Top-scorer Rudd added his second just before the hour mark and Howard sealed a convincing victory when he completed his double with 19 minutes left.
"It was a good result and, more importantly, it was a good performance," said Marginson, who had been unhappy with his players after they threw away a two-goal lead in the semi-final at Congleton two days earlier.
"I was disappointed with how we handled the semi-final; we took our foot off the gas but we were a lot more professional against Abbey Hey."
Three more points seem a certainty on Saturday, as the free-scoring Reds travel to basement club Stone Dominoes, who have the unenviable record of possessing the division's leakiest defence after shipping 112 goals in the league alone.
But Marginson insists he will not be taking anything for granted ahead of United's clash at the Lyme Valley Stadium.
He said: "I think they have just been a little bit naive this season. They are quite a young side but have some talented players.
"But one thing Stone will definitely do is get the ball down and play football, and that will suit us."
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