Burscough chief dreads missing United tie

Burscough boss Derek Goulding fears for the mental well-being of his players if there are dumped out of the FA Cup tonight.

The UniBond League part-timers take on Conference side Burton Albion in a rearranged second-round tie after Saturday’s clash was postponed due to a water-logged pitch at the Pirelli Stadium.

That allowed both to go into the hat for Sunday’s third-round draw, and land a plum clash at home to 11-times winners Manchester United.

Goulding and his players from a small Lancashire farming village know it is in their hands “to make the dream come true”.

The former Everton apprentice, who plied his footballing trade in non-league circles with Stafford, Bangor City and Oswestry before moving into management, appreciates the prospect of such a game is “a chance in a million”.

Yet Goulding is also realistic enough to appreciate if Burscough lose out to Burton, he will face a tough task raising his players.

“Quite obviously this is a game I want to win,” Goulding, whose day job is as a plasterer, said.

“There is a huge incentive, with the winners facing Manchester United, which is something I’m struggling to get my head round.

“I hope we can do it because it is something we will remember for the rest of our lives.”