Salford City will be hoping to extend their unbeaten start to this year’s Vanarama National League North to three games when they take on FC United of Manchester tonight.
In what represents a game as fascinating off the pitch as it is on, the game represents two teams linked to Manchester United but in totally different ways.
While the teams have met before in the NWCFL and in the FA Cup, this will be the first time that Salford and FC will have met since the Class of ‘92 took over The Ammies.
Read: Unbeaten Salford City stun Stalybridge with 4-0 demolition job
It makes for an interesting dynamic, but is difficult to tell what the atmosphere will be like.
Will FC welcome Salford, with their former heroes investing in their local rivals? Or will they be hostile to a club who are almost the opposite of everything the Red Rebels stand for?
On the pitch both sides have made a good start to the season, with FC United in sixth and Salford City ninth; just one point seperates the two teams.
That means if other results go their way, both teams have an opportunity to go top of the table tomorrow night.
Both sides also won and drew their last two, with the visitors beating Stockport County on Friday evening, and drawing at home against AFC Telford United on Tuesday night; Salford won their game against Stalybridge 4-0, and draw 1-1 with Gloucester on the opening day of the season.
The game also marks a return to Salford City for Karl Marginson, with the FC boss having a spell at The Ammies as a player.
Speaking about his return to Moor Lane, the manager said: “I’m looking forward to going back, I remember a few old faces there that i’ll be happy to see again. I also went a couple of games last season so it’ll be nice to return, but obviously I want to win”.
Both teams also have a history of providing entertaining football when they play, with an average of 4.8 goals per game between the two teams during the five times they have met.
Managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley will also be keen to notch up their first win against Marginson as well, the FCUM manager has never lost a game against the managerial duo in the times they have met.
Kick-off 7.45pm, Moor Lane, Kersal, M7 3PZ.
Main image: @SalfordFCPhotos/Charlotte Tattersall
