Witton look to progress through to the Fourth Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Challenge Cup on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Vanarama League North FC United of Manchester. The last time the club reached the last Qualifying Round was in the 2011/12 season before losing to Barrow at Wincham Park and ironically, they overcame Spennymoor Town on the way as they have this time around. FC United are not having the best of seasons so far and find themselves bottom of the Vanarama League North having won only one league game to date. They progressed to this stage by beating Evo-Stik League West Colne FC at Broadhurst Park and the goals in that game are they only ones they have managed in their last four competitive fixtures.The two clubs have only met once before in the competition during the 2015/16 season with FC United progressing on that ocassion by three goals to one. The club are now under the caretaker managership of former player David Chadwick, following Tom Greaves departure and a lot of their well-known players have moved on but they are still a higher ranked club although Witton will feel that they have a very realistic chance of getting through. There is no reason why they can’t add another scalp and get into the hat for Monday’s draw. It won’t be easy and Witton will have to perform at their best or FC United will punish them and they will want to bounce back from Tuesday’s defeat at Scarborough Athletic. The team will be giving it everything they have got and they are more than capable of winning this one and adding to the financial aspect which is so important and of great benefit to a club at our level. Kick off at Broadhurst Park is 3pm.
FC UNITED OF MANCHESTER,
BROADHURST PARK,
310, LIGHTBOWNE ROAD,
MOSTON,
MANCHESTER,
M40 0FJ.
Directions: From the M60 - Clockwise. Exit M60 at junction 20. Turn onto the A664. At the traffic lights turn left onto the A6104. Continue straight on and then at the Greengate Roundabout, take the 4th exit onto Lightbowne Road, the B6393. Carry straight on for around a half a mile and Broadhurst Park is on your left. From the M60 - Anti-Clockwise. Exit M60 at junction 22. Continue straight on to Hollingwood Avenue, the A6104 . Continue straight on and then at the Greengate Roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Lightbowne Road, the B6393. Carry straight on for around a half a mile and Broadhurst Park is on your left. (Total Distance - 33 miles).
Parking: There is limited car parking at the ground, so we would be grateful if you would bring the following to your supporters’ attention. Supporters should NOT park on St Mary’s Road or Nuthurst Road or the streets off these two roads. There is secure parking at a cost of £3 at St Matthew 's RC High School on Nuthurst Road - Postcode: M40 0EW, or on-street parking is available on Lightbowne Road near to the ground entrance,
Admission Prices: Adults £12, Over 60’s £7, Under 18’s £3.
Matchday Programme: The club produces a full colour match day programme for most home games - Cost: £2 and programmes are available from volunteers both inside the ground and on the approach to it.
Social Club: Since this is a non-segregated match, visiting supporters are welcome to have a drink and usual football food in our function room which overlooks the pitch. The function room will open at 1pm but will close before kick off. Please note: As this is an FA Competition, alcohol will NOT be permitted on the terraces and the bar will remain closed while the match is in progress.
Refreshments:The “Dry Bar” under the main stand will be open during the game for hot food & non-alcoholic drinks.
Additional Information: Should the game be drawn, the replay is scheduled to take place at Wincham Park on Tuesday, 9th October - 7.45pm kick off and will then be played to a finish with penalties if scores are still level after extra time. Should Saturday’s game be decided, we are scheduled to host Mickleover Sports in an Evo-Stik Premier Division fixture - also 7.45pm kick off. That fixture is also dependent on the outcome of Mickleover Sports FA Challenge Cup Third Qualifying Round tie.
Please note: There is a strike on Saturday by Northern Rail. Anyone thinking of travelling to the game by train/tram could face disruption.