Rebels take breather

Stuart Brennan

November 24, 2006

BOSS Karl Marginson is set to make up to nine changes to his buoyant FC United team as they take on bottom club Stone Dominoes at Gigg Lane in the North West Counties League.

He has seen his team come through their toughest spell with flying colours, beating promotion rivals Maine Road in the mini-derby, FA Vase holders Nantwich in the League Challenge Cup, and arch- rivals Salford City in the Vase, all away.

And the visit of Stone, who have drawn two and lost 17 of their 19 games this season, has prompted a wholesale switch. Stone have let in 75 goals, while FC have scored 71 in their 18 league games, so a cricket score is being predicted.

But Marginson will rest his front-line players ahead of next Wednesday's home clash with Atherton Collieries, with only goalkeeper Sam Ashton, 18-year-old midfielder Nicky Platt and striker Stuart Rudd set to retain their places from the side that beat Salford.

That will mean a first start for midfielder Gary Sampson, a debut for reserve-team star Danny Allen and rare appearances for Jamie Phoenix, Mike Lomax, Gareth Ormes, Dave Brown, Liam Coyne and Will Ahern.

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Free Red, Manchester, (Accept no imitations) (24/11/2006 at 12:47)

I thought Margie would give some of our other plays a chance. I am pleased because last year we beat Castleton Gabs 10-2 at home and although it was a good laugh, I also felt the match could have been better used by giving some of our fringe players a chance. Stone are a team comparable to the Gabs so I think this is the right decision. Other NWCFL division one ties this Saturday include: Abbey Hey v Newcastle Town. Atherton Collieries v Bacup Borough. Curzon Ashton v Atherton LR. Nelson v Nantwich Town. Ramsbottom United v Flixton. Squires Gate v Silsden. St Helens Town v Glossop North End and another local derby Trafford v Salford City. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Torpey's Ghost, Left Wing Gigg Lane (24/11/2006 at 12:56)

Whilst it's good to use the whole squad I hope we don't go into the game expecting to beat Stone and expecting a lot of goals. That would be disrespectful and is likely to make any side play 10 times harder. Danny Allen and Danny Shannon have been playing very well in the reserves though and the other squad members deserve a game just to remind the boss what they can do. Hopefully we'll still manage a decent win by 2 or 3 goals.

Don, Middleton (24/11/2006 at 15:24)

It shouldn't do us any harm to make a few changes tomorrow. It's a chance to give some reward to our 'fringe' players who, I suspect, could easily play first team football elsewhere. I still hope however that FC fans and players alike give Stone Dominoes the respect that they deserve. Our great club wouldn't exist without opposition after all.

Torpey's Ghost, Left Wing Gigg Lane (24/11/2006 at 15:54)

Stone have hit hard times recently but they have an awesome reputation in developing young players. They sold a lad to Stoke last year from their U18's academy and I believe that Dean Ashton started out there as a young kid as well. I hope they manage to turn everything around.

Free Read, Bury, (Accept no other irritations) (25/11/2006 at 18:05)

I thought Marge would give some of our other plays a chance. I am pleased because last year we beat Castleton Gabs (with fat ole #6 as I recall him) 10-2 at home (Were the Gabs drunk?) and although it was a good laugh (fat ole #6 wasn't laughing), I also felt the match could have been better used by giving some of our fringe players (aren't they all fringe players?) a chance. Stone are a team comparable to the Gabs (That is really sad for Stone) so I think this is the right decision. Other NWCFL division one ties this Saturday include: Crabbey Hey v Sandcastle Town. Atherton Collies v Backup Borough. Curzing Ashton Kusher v Atherton LR. Full Nelson v Santwich Town. Ramsbottom (I thouht FC rammed bottoms?) United v Flixton. Squirrels Gate v Sillysden. St Helens Town v Glossop North End and another local derby Trafford Mall Police v Salford Garbage Collectors City. Viva la revolution, come on FC.

Free Red, Manchester, (Accept no imitations) (25/11/2006 at 23:22)

FC UNITED 7-0 STONE DOMINOES. A much-changed FC team marked the first anniversary of George's passing with 7 of the best and we sang his praises from the terraces. Unfortunately, there weren't any collection buckets at Gigg lane for the 'George Best Foundation' so I made my donation on line. If anyone wants to do the same the connection is www.georgebest.com/anniversary.php God bless George.

Billy no mates, At the gate (26/11/2006 at 08:46)

Wow it could have got very embarrassing yesterday as the boys in white tore into the opposition from the start. 7 goals and it could have been double. I know Stone like to develop young players but they were wearing nappies not shorts. I wondered why they were called dominoes but when one went down they all fell down. Still we looked to have another big crowd yesterday and I am looking forward to curling up in front of a nice warm fire with a cup of ovaltine and watching United play Chelsea today. I am a bit concerned though because we do seem to be attracting a hard core of dare I say it chav's. Well done to the Bury groundstaff for getting the game on despite the torrential rain. At times the pitch looked more like a quagmire. It could have almost been a scene from the Somme (without of course the barbed wire and explosions). Any chance of getting Vera Lynn for the next home games entertainment?

Arrogant red, Ilkeston (27/11/2006 at 09:21)

Free Red I made my contribution by having a skinful in the Two Tuns before and after the game.

Free Red, Manchester, (Accept no imitations) (27/11/2006 at 10:18)

Arrogant blue. Not interested.

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