FC UNITED christen Leigh Genesis’ new stadium tomorrow night, with manager Karl Marginson hoping for a little more luck than they had at the weekend.
The Rebels hit the woodwork an astonishing SEVEN times in the 2-1 defeat at Witton Albion, six of them in the second half, and Marginson is hoping that such ill fortune does not befall his team against the UniBond premier’s bottom club at Sports Village Stadium.
“I can’t remember a game where anyone hit the woodwork so many times,” says Marginson, whose team remain just three points outside the play-offs. “It was just one of those games, and if we had got our noses in front I feel we would have won comfortably.”
Now Marginson is warning his side to be on their guard against a team which has been in freefall, without a league win since October and having lost their last four without scoring, including a 5-0 defeat at Matlock at the weekend.
“It will be a big boost for them, moving into the new stadium, and for the game to be against us as well,” said the FC boss. “They have quite a lot of young lads, and I am sure their manager will be focusing on getting them to play without fear.”
Stalwart defender Rob Nugent will be missing after breaking his nose and being knocked out at Witton, with Adam Turner stepping in to partner Dave Chadwick in defence.
Marginson still has to decide whether to stick with Tris Whitman up front after he marked his first start for the club with the goal at Witton, or whether to restore Tommy Turner to his partnership with top scorer Kyle Wilson.
Marginson’s side has developed an unhealthy knack of under-performing against relegation strugglers – the six teams directly above Leigh have all taken points off them this season.
But Marginson feels that is the nature of the division his team are in: “Quite a few of the top teams have been beaten by those at the bottom.
“Witton beat us, but they have improved a lot since we beat them in October and should climb away from the relegation zone pretty quickly.”
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Free Red, Manchester (27/01/2009 at 12:27)
Nugent suffered a broken nose during United's agonising 2-1 defeat at Witton Albion on Saturday so Adam Turner will be recalled to partner captain David Chadwick as he has done for a large part of the season. It's fitting that the Reds should help Leigh open their new home as it was the Railwaymen who provided FC United's first ever opponents in July 2005. That match was drawn 0-0 but this time around the form book suggests the Reds should enjoy a comfortable victory against a struggling side which is without a league win since October and has lost its last four without scoring, including a 5-0 defeat at Matlock at the weekend.
If FC United were to win they could potentially move up to fifth place, which would be their highest position of the season. However, manager Karl Marginson knows that nothing can be taken for granted and the chance to beat FC United in front of a big crowd in a brand new stadium will provide plenty of extra incentive for the home side.
Margy said: "It'll be a big boost for them, moving into the new stadium, and for the game to be against us as well. They have quite a lot of young lads and I am sure their manager will be focusing on getting them to play without fear.
Margy admits he still has to decide on his starting XI for tonight with the biggest issue being whether to stick with Tristam Whitman up front after he marked his first start for the club with the goal at Witton, or whether to restore Tommy Turner to what was becoming a promising partnership with top scorer Kyle Wilson.
Tonight's match between Leigh Genesis and FC United is pay on the night with tickets needing to be purchased from the ticket office before entry. Prices are £8 for adults, £5 for over-65s and £2 for under-18s. Get yourself to that football ground.