The Isuzu FA Trophy

FC United keen to keep on causing FA Trophy upsets

Friday 06 Feb 2015
Karl Marginson has taken FC United into The Trophy quarter final
This has been some journey for FC United of Manchester in The FA Trophy.

Eight matches, including two replays, have taken Karl Marginson's side to the quarter finals of the competition for the first time in their short ten-year history.

Torquay United v FC United of Manchester

The FA Trophy
Fourth Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 7 February 2015
Plainmoor, Torquay United
Winners receive £8000 from prize fund

Having seen off Padiham, Buxton, Barwell and Chorley en route to the last 16, the Reds took on Conference North high-flyers AFC Fylde two weeks ago and stormed to a shock 3-1 victory courtesy of a brace from Craig Lindfield and a Jerome Wright penalty.

Their reward: a 270-mile trip to Devon to face the mighty Torquay United. 

The Gulls, who are 14th in the Conference, will be firm favourites to progress to the Semi-Final but United boss Marginson feels his side have the momentum, having beaten three clubs from higher leagues and they will be backed by over 1000 fans in Devon.

"If we come up against a team who are better than us on the day then I'll have no qualms because we've been fantastic in this competition," said Marginson.

"I want the players to go out and enjoy it because they deserve everything that comes to them.

"If we maintain our form and keep doing what we've been doing then we're going to make it difficult for any team we come up against.

"The first half [against Fylde] was one of the most complete performances for a number of years, against an excellent side as well.

"I didn't need to gee the lads up, I'm pretty redundant at the moment with the information I need to give out. 

"They're all there pulling together. It's a great achievement for a club of our non-League stature to be in the quarter finals. We're the lowest-ranked team and no-one will fancy playing against us."

Marginson's side are not just flourishing in The FA Trophy though. They are unbeaten in their 11 outings and have climbed to seventh in the North Premier League table with eight games in hand on leaders Skelmersdale United - so promotion is very much on the agenda.

But for now, it's time for the league to be put to one side as Marginson aims to reach Wembley for the second time in his career, having won The FA Trophy as a player with Macclesfield Town in 1996.

By FA Staff