Equalling the ten league game unbeaten run (away from home) a feat recently set under the management of Curtis Woodhouse, Bishop's young charges matched the run, and look to extend that with a positive result in Moston. Woodhouse's side picked up five wins and five draws in that sequence of ten games without defeat, Bishop's side though have managed seven wins and three draws, scoring 25 times conceding 0.5 goals a game.
Saturday's test will be difficult, like all games in the league, up until Tuesday night, FCUM were right on the coat tails of the Holy Blues, but with the points deduction depriving the Rebels of three of their previously earned points, the gap has opened up, but the Holy Blues will be keen to look up, as with a victory, Bish's boys could be sitting pretty! New signing Fraser Preston will have benefited from a training session with his new team mates having met up with the squad for the game against Nantwich on Tuesdays. And with George Hornshaw pushing for a place, Neal Bishop will have a few decisions to make regarding selection.
A bumper crowd is expected at Broadhurst Park: The Maitlands are performing live from 2pm on the stage at the ground, which will add to the atmosphere! And with a decent crowd due, FC United reminded us that there is a free shuttle bus to and from Manchester City centre, for any supporters making their own way to the game.
Opposition
Managed by Neil Reynolds, the former Bamber Bridge boss, FC United of Manchester are a supporters owned club, formed in 2005, seventeen years ago. Initially rising up through non-league, the red Rebels made the National League North in ten seasons, before being relegated back to the Northern Premier League in 2019, where the two sides will lock horns on Saturday.
Dangerman Regan Linney has so far out scored Trinity's leading marksman Clayton Donaldson; though the Blues have shared the goals around more. Also within FCUMs squad is Alex Wollerton, a summer signing from the Holy Blues. Making nine starts and a host of appearances off the bench, there's always the hope, he doesn't come back to haunt us!
Elsewhere
With the second round of the Isuzu FA Trophy, taking place this weekend, it is fair to say it is not a full schedule of Pitching In Northern Premier League action, but in any case there are still plenty of fixtures to whet the appetite- at both ends of the table.
Ashton United vs Bamber Bridge
Atherton Collieries vs Stalybridge Celtic
Belper Town vs Whitby Town
Radcliffe vs Nantwich
South Shields vs Stafford Rangers
Warrington Rylands vs Morpeth Town
Preview written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)