RAMSBOTTOM UNITED stage their first home game since a freak accident threw their pre-season preparations into chaos when Fleetwood Freeport are tomorrow's visitors in the FA Cup.

Storms during the summer blew off man-hole covers near their Riverside ground, causing sewage to leak all over United's pitch.

That forced the Rams to cancel some pre-season friendlies and they've had to play all of their opening five league games away from home while a band of volunteers mounted a clean-up operation.

Thankfully, the pitch is now playable again although the club face the prospect of having to re-lay a new surface next summer.

"We're glad to be home," said secretary John Maher.

"Obviously, the pitch isn't as good as it would have been at this stage in the season but when I think back to what it was like six weeks ago it's quite miraculous.

"There's still some bare patches about but we are going to have to run with that until the end of the season when I'm fairly sure it will all have to be pulled up and re-done."

United haven't had much luck on their travels so far this season, losing four of their five games to date.

But home advantage tomorrow against a Freeport side going great guns in the league might just tip the scales back in their favour.

"Fleetwood are doing very well so the form book says it should be their day," said Maher.

"But you never know in the Cup, so we'll have to wait and see."

Mark Bedford and Russell Brierley are both missing through suspension but Steve Brennan and Danny Goodhall are back in contention after injury.

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