Five hundred expected at Whitby for FC United clash

 Source: Whitby Gazette

 WHITBY Town welcome FC United of Manchester and an estimated 400-500 travelling supporters to the Turnbull Ground on Wednesday (23 Mar) night.

The Seasiders will be hoping to follow up Saturday’s draw at Chasetown with points against another play-off chasing side.

Tommy Cassidy’s men will also have revenge in mind after a 4-0 defeat to the Red Rebels at Bury FC’s Gigg Lane last month.

The Blues’ manager told the Whitby Gazette: “I don’t think I’m being overly optimistic when I say we can win that game.”

Skipper Tony Hackworth, who returned for the 2-1 win against Hucknall last week, was stretchered off in the first game at United and Cassidy paid tribute to his captain’s display on Saturday.

“The two lads up front did brilliantly. Hacky made a difference and Jimmy [Beadle] worked his socks off.”

However, it was defender Kev Burgess who found the net with an acrobatic bicycle kick.

Cassidy joked: “I think he tried to clear it.

“But no, Kevin had a good game all round, he probably got man of the match.”

The Blues will again be without striker Andy Campbell, but the ex-Middlesbrough marksman may be back for this weekend’s trip to Matlock Town, after picking up a groin strain, two weeks ago.

Seventh-placed United are 11 games unbeaten and famously defeated League One Rochdale 3-2 in the FA Cup first round, before losing out to the division’s leaders Brighton, after a replay.

Sixteen-goal top scorer Mike Norton, their hero at Spotland, netted two more at fellow high-fliers Buxton on Saturday in a 2-2 draw, including a last-minute leveller.

Victory on Wednesday could see them leapfrog the Bucks into fourth spot while a Whitby win also sets up a three place jump to 14th.

The Seasiders have never beaten the Lancashire club, who were set up in 2005 by Manchester United supporters angered by the Glazer takeover and the increasing influence of Sky Television.

Kick-off at the Turnbull Ground is 7.45pm with admission £7.50 adults, £4.50 concessions and £2 under 18s.

Supporters are advised to arrive early on Wednesday as United often travel in number - they had a higher average than landlords Bury in their first season at Gigg Lane and brought 800 fans to Whitby in 2008.

The Blues’ game at Matlock Town on Saturday is a 1pm kick-off as England play Wales at 3pm.