Preview: FC United of Manchester (A)

Warrington Town make the short trip to Broadhurst Park this Saturday as they face FC United of Manchester in the Northern Premier League (3pm kick-off).

The Yellows booked their place in FA Cup second round qualifying last time out, beating Shildon 4-0 at The GXO Stadium in a replay on Tuesday evening, following a 2-2 draw played out between the two clubs in the north-east last weekend.

Focus now switches back to league matters for Paul Carden's side, who travel to an FC United side still searching for their first league victory of the season.

Below, we've compiled everything you need to know ahead of the fixture.

Paul Carden preview

Photo credit: Colin Keown (Pyramid Pix)

Article first published in the Warrington Guardian

A trip to face the division’s bottom side who remain without a league win this season may seem an enticing one for Warrington Town from the outside.

However, manager Paul Carden knows Saturday’s hosts FC United of Manchester too well to think it will be that straightforward as he prepares to face his former assistant manager Mark Beesley and a raft of his old players.

The weekend’s trip to Broadhurst Park will be Town’s latest reunion with ex-manager Beesley, who initially joined as Carden’s number two for his first spell in charge before taking the top job when Carden left for AFC Telford United in 2021, steering Yellows into the National League North in 2023.

But with seven former Town players in the FC squad, Carden knows they will be facing a motivated side but insists his squad will match that, aided by the return of some key men.

“Not at all,” he said when asked if he reads anything into FC’s poor start.

“We see so many games in which there’s fine margins and not a lot in it.

“I went to watch them play Avro recently and I left when they were 3-1 up with nine minutes left – Avro hadn’t really hurt FC at that point and then I get a phone call to say they’d won 4-3.

“That’s how quickly a game can change and when it’s not going for you, those things can happen. I’ve experienced it, and we’ve experienced it as a team and a club.

“We know the quality they possess and what a good coaching staff they have.

“I know they will be right up for it, but so will we and we’ll have players back to strengthen us further.”

Team news

Photo credit: Colin Keown (Pyramid Pix)

The Yellows are hoping to welcome back a number of key individuals for Saturday's trip to Broadhurst Park.

Lewis Earl is expected to feature after being sidelined in recent weeks, while Ben Elliott could come back into the mix after missing Tuesday night's game with a minor knee complaint.

Reece Daly is also expected to start having served a one-game suspension in midweek.

Fellow midfielder Bobby Bjork is also now fit enough for 90 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute on Tuesday night.

Match information

Saturday's Northern Premier League fixture at Broadhurst Park kicks off at 3pm. Match tickets, available to buy online or at the turnstiles, are priced as follows:

• Adults: £15
• Concessions: £10.50
• 18-21 yrs: £5
• Under 18s: £3
• Under 5s: Free

NOTE: All Under 14s must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Unfortunately, there will be no Yellows Radio commentary for tomorrow's clash. Supporters can follow live updates from the game on our X (Twitter) feed.