Marginson will stick with stand-in battlers

Stuart Brennan

November 26, 2007

KARL Marginson will be happy to stick by his makeshift back four as his team head to Mossley for a derby match on Tuesday night.

The Rebels' defence, including debutant Danny Jarrett and 21-year-old Adam Turner who made his first start, shipped four goals against a team which is emerging as favourite to clinch the one automatic promotion spot in the UniBond League's first division north.

It was the second time in six weeks that the Yorkshire outfit - reputed to be the division's biggest spenders - had scored four on FC turf, after their surprising 4-1 FA Trophy rout last month.

But Marginson had nothing but praise for his injury-hit team, which was without four of their six contracted players including goalkeeper Sam Ashton and defensive rock Dave Chadwick.

"I was proud of the way we kept going, and thought a draw would have been a fair result," said the manager philosophically.

"Given all the injury problems we had, I thought we played some excellent football, but I'm afraid you don't always get out of a game what you put into it.

"The defence did well considering it was thrown together at training on Thursday night, and only had 45 minutes to work together before coming up against a team as dangerous as Avenue.

Problem

"We brought Adam in from the reserves, where he was player-of-the-season last term, and I thought he was possibly man-of-the-match, especially as it was his first start in such a big match.

"He grew in stature as the game went on. We will have to see how Rob Nugent is before picking the team for tomorrow night - he was suspended but has a cartilage problem and his ankle strapped, but this game proved to me that we have more than capable replacements with the two lads who came in."

Avenue hit FC with a sucker punch in the first minute, centre forward Mike Moseley heading in the first goal but the Rebels hit back as Turner headed the equaliser from a corner and Chris Baguley forced the ball home to make it 2-1 on 15 minutes.

But Avenue were level before half-time through Steven Connors and went ahead through Darren Hockenhull's spot-kick on 63 minutes when a dubious penalty was awarded against Turner.

Marginson was furious with the decision.

He said: "The lad just ran across Adam and tripped over - no way was it a penalty."

Avenue made it 4-2 on the counter-attack through Moseley again, but FC replied with a Rory Patterson penalty in the dying seconds after battling Simon Carden had been brought down.

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Free Red, Manchester (26/11/2007 at 14:03)

I thought the lads did themselves proud on Saturday against a teams whose unite play was good as it gets in this league although I still think we are better individually. Margy's right when he said a draw would have been a fair result even though we could have been 3-1 up by half time if only Rory could have dinked in one of his well practiced tight angle shots. But it wasn't to be and instead for the second time Bradford scored a controversial equaliser just before half time when their right winger Gaghan took Jerome Wright out with a late tackle that he should have been carded for but the Ref let play go on allowing Gaghan to gaff one in. In the second half Bradfords penalty was unfortunate but the killer blow was their fourth. When they went 2-4 up Bradford seemed to grow in confidence and although out lads never give in I though then the damage was done which proved to be the case. Patterson slotted home our pen to make the score line reflect the match more.

FCUMLeigh, Leigh (26/11/2007 at 16:26)

Marginson OUT

JOHN STENSON (26/11/2007 at 17:30)

I am glad that it isn't just me who was happy with the performance in such difficult circumstances. Totally agree with you, Free Red. How many fans in attendance on Saturday would have twigged that there were just 3 of last season's double winners on the pitch ? Just Rory, Matty Taylor and Jerome Wright. We also had 2 centre-backs making their debuts, which doesn't help in terms of understanding at the back. It looks like it could be some time before we see such as Josh Howard, Stuart Rudd and Dave Chadwick again, so let's hope we can maintain a top five position until they return. With a full strength side - or something approaching it - I feel we should not fear anyone in this division, and that includes Bradford, who in my view are comfortably the best we have faced so far.

nugent (26/11/2007 at 20:32)

Oh look, the imitator returns. Been quiet for a bit, whats up did daddy want use of his pc back.
Still as I say imitation is the best form of flattery.
Imagine being so sad that you have to pretend to be someone else on the internet.

Drifter, Mancunia (26/11/2007 at 22:03)

Saturday was one of those days when everything seemed to go the wrong way. I got to the pub to watch big united to find it was Liverpool who had the early kick off. At the end of the FCUM game I found out big united had lost then to make things worse I found out City won! o'well that's life. I have to agree with Free Red and John Stenson on how the team played. Margy should be proud to give his team credit, as we deserved to get something out of the game. I said would be happy if the FCUM players gave their all for 90 minutes and they did just that so no complaints from me.

Free Red, Manchester (27/11/2007 at 09:51)

Tonight's match going information, MOSSLEY v. FC UNITED, Tuesday 27th November 2007 K.O. 7.45pm. This game is to be played at Seel Park, Market Street, Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, OL5 0ES. Admission is pay on the gate Adults £7 Concessions £4. There are a limited number of seats available at the ground sold at the same price but supporters who come without pre-match purchased tickets cannot be guaranteed a seat although I doubt this will be a problem as last time I went to Seel Park, as elsewhere, the seats weren't used.

Directions: Exit M60 Junction 23 following A635 Ashton-under-Lyne. Take 3rd exit off roundabout then 3rd exit off next roundabout (Asda) and then 3rd exit off next roundabout signed Mossley A670. At junction turn right on to Mossley Road through traffic lights. After approx 2.5 miles drop down hill entering Mossley town centre. Passing the co-op supermarket on the left turn right before next traffic lights. Continue up the hill and left into Market Street. The ground is approx 200 yards on the left.
Train: Trains to Mossley are from Manchester Victoria passing through Ashton and Stalybridge and takes about 20 minutes. When you arrive at Mossley train station turn right as you go out and follow the road round up the hill past a huge stone wall then beating left until you come to a set of traffic lights. Go left at the lights for about 100 meters until you come to Mossley market go left onto Market Street. The ground is approx 200 yards on the left. Note trains back to Victoria after the match are 21:57, 22:57 and 23:47.

Parking: FC United have been advised by the local police that there will be plenty of parking available on the market ground and surrounding streets in top Mossley. There is no parking at the ground itself. The pub next to the ground The Highland Laddie is open for business and welcomes FC United supporters as does the Mossley Social club which will also be open to fans.

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