Rinkcavage: Blues should hold no fear over trip to FC United of Manchester
FRICKLEY Athletic boss Peter Rinkcavage believes his side should hold no fear over a trip to face FC United of Manchester on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
The Blues make the trip to Gigg Lane just five days after knocking United out of the Doodson Sport Cup at the quarter-final stage thanks to a 3-1 home win on Tuesday night.
It’ll be the fourth time Frickley have taken on United this season but the first trip to face them across them Pennines.
A typically bumper crowd of almost 2,000 is expected to back the hosts, who are pushing for an Evo-Stik Premier Division play-off spot this term, but Rinkcavage believes it’s a game his side should enjoy rather than fear.
“There’s a bit of a mix with it being a daunting fixture in terms of how good they are as a side and the backing they’ll receive but we should go out there and look forward to a game like this,” said the Blues boss.
“It’s a big challenge for us. I’m looking forward to it. I think both teams will put out similar sides to what we saw in the cup game [on Tuesday] and I’m sure they’ll be out for revenge.”
He continued: “I’ve always said that FC United are beatable but without their ‘A game’. They didn’t have their ‘A game’ on Tuesday and we need to hope they don’t this weekend.”
Frickley’s victory on Tuesday was their first ever against Karl Marginson’s side.
The Red Rebels had won both matches at the Tech5 Stadium earlier in the season, winning the league game 3-1 and FA Trophy clash 4-0.
Tuesday’s cup win will give a Blues side now unbeaten in five matches renewed confidence against the Manchester big-hitters.
But they’ll have to do it without influential midfielder Grant Darley, who suffered an injury late on in Tuesday night’s game after setting up the third goal.
“Grant has been superb for us over the last few matches and it’s a real shame he’s been injured,” said Rinkcavage.
“We don’t know the extent of the injury just yet but it’s not looking good. He won’t be available for Saturday.”
Defender Lincoln Adams will also be missing through suspension but striker Ollie Ryan will be back available after serving his ban.
The Blues boss is also hopeful on the availability of Lee Whittington and striker Peter Knox.
See this week’s Hemsworth and South Elmsall Express for all the latest sports news from around the area.
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