by Jeff King
It’s Derby Day Return at The Ford Quarry Hub on Saturday. Just over a week ago the two sides met at a very heavy difficult Moor Park and battled out a 1 – 1 draw. This time the surface is going to be somewhat different as Town already know to their cost.
When the two rivals met on Boxing Day it was Town in the ascendency. A place above United on goal difference. After the game the status remained the same. That was until last Saturday when United won and Town lost.
United’s 1 – 0 at Darlington Town after playing 65+ minutes with ten men a really resilient and commendable win. Meanwhile at The Ford Hub Town went crashing to a 3 – 1 defeat against Sunderland West End despite taking a first half lead.
It all means that going into today’s game United now lie in 7th place in the Second Division table three points and two goals better off than their more established long-term Northern League rivals.
Town had and still have ambitions to make the Play-Offs at the end of the season. Their festive results have not helped that cause so they’ll be looking to bounce back against United in the second Derby of the season.
United after a run of three 1 – 0 away wins plus the Boxing Day draw come into the game in good form and heart but are wary that if they are to maintain their surprise run at the Play-Offs they have to start putting more wins together at home.
Both teams are missing key players through suspension. Town had left back Luke Collins sent off on Boxing Day so he misses out whilst the creative Dec Bisset is also suspended for the encounter.
United are without Harley Lawton through suspension after he was dismissed at Darlington Town and received a 4-match ban whilst Brandon Young picked up a bad ankle knock and is very, very doubtful indeed.
But at this time of the year with games coming thick and fast it’s about squads and ‘next-man-up’ for both Clubs as a much-anticipated game looks like a mouth-watering prospect for fans of both Clubs. Kick-off is at 15:00pm.
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