Match Preview

Champions in town

The big day has finally arrived with the eagerly awaited clash against FC United of Manchester only hours away.

A record crowd for a Northern Premier League fixture at Borough Park will welcome the Evo-Stik Premier Division Champions, following FC United’s title winning victory over Stourbridge on Tuesday.

It is still a very big game for both clubs, with Reds hoping to end a brilliant season on a high and Karl Marginson’s squad intending to show that they are worthy champions. Reds still need at least a point to secure the runners-up trophy and home advantage in both play-off matches, should they progress that far.

As it stands, they will play the semi-final on Tuesday at Borough Park but could be overtaken by Ashton United for second place.

Josh Calvert is probably unlikely to make the squad following a reoccurrence of his hamstring problem last week but skipper Dan Wordsworth, who has missed the last seven games, trained on Thursday and is keen to be involved in the final week of the season. Scott Allison and Matty Tymon are expected to recover from the minor knocks sustained at Ilkeston.

FC United can feel immense satisfaction having completed their season with the ultimate prize, but Reds and Ashton United will have to wait and see which other two clubs – from the trio of Curzon Ashton, Ilkeston and Blyth Spartans – will join them in the play-offs.

Kick-off is 3pm.