'Monster' match is perfect for Flitcroft

 Source: Lancashire Evening Post

 Chorley’s NPL Premier Division semi-final meeting with FC United of Manchester at Victory Park tomorrow has been labelled a ‘monster match’ by manager Garry Flitcroft.

The Magpies are just two games away from sealing a second successive promotion.

Victory tomorrow will see Chorley progress to a the final, where they are guaranteed to play at home against either Bradford Park Avenue or Hednesford Town.

There has been a certain amount of confusion this week as the club didn’t know who they would be facing in tomorrow’s semi-final up until Wednesday.

But with second-placed Northwich Victoria’s relegation to the NPL First Division North ratified, after they were found guilty of contravening a number of financial rules and regulations, sixth-placed FC United will take their place in the season end play-offs.

And Flitcroft feels a meeting against the Red Rebels suits his team fine.

He told the Evening Post: “We are well pleased to have them in a way.

“They have got a fantastic fan base, so there’s going to be a full house at Victory Park tomorrow.

“There’s going to be nearly 3,000 fans at the ground which is just going to be brilliant.

“FC United are a good side. They have got a lot of pace in their team, but we took four points off them this season.

“We have got a home tie and, should we progress to the final, we will be at home in that as well so we’re looking at winning a second successive promotion.

“It’s been a fantastic season for us especially after all the financial problems we have had. I told the lads after we beat Bradford Park Avenue 3-1 on Saturday that I was proud of them.

“Playing in front of a big crowd tomorrow is just what they deserve. It’s going to be a monster game.”

Flitcroft reckons all the uncertainty surrounding their semi-final opponents has not had an adverse effect on his team’s preparations.

“It’s not affected us. We knew we had a home tie and I have watched Hednesford, Bradford and FC United many times over the last couple of months.

“We have only been beaten three times at home this season and I think that’s second only to Chester.

“We feel we can beat anybody. We have got some big match players in our team – we saw that in the Lancashire FA Trophy final.

“We had some big performances that day which saw us beat Kendal Town.”