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1Doncaster45+2281
2Port Vale45+2080
3Bradford45+1875
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5Notts County45+2072
6AFC Wimbledon45+2070
7Salford45+1068
8Grimsby45-568
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10Colchester45+566
11Bromley45+263
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14Fleetwood Town45+160
15Cheltenham45-760
16Barrow45+258
17Gillingham45-655
18MK Dons45-1451
19Accrington Stanley45-1550
20Harrogate Town45-1950
21Newport County45-2149
22Tranmere45-2348
23Carlisle45-2741
24Morecambe45-3136

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Back at BP!
Back at BP!

Macclesfield Preview

By: Richard Lord
Date: 11/11/2005

THE Mariners will be hoping to get their home form back on track this Friday when Macclesfield visit Blundell Park. A victory would put Russell Slade's men back on top of the League Two pile, albeit for less than 24 hours depending on Saturday's results.

Home > 2005-2006 Season > Previews > Macclesfield (h)

The Opposition

Overview
Macclesfield Town have started the campaign in poor form - in stark contrast to last season when they finished in fifth place. Although they were unsuccessful in the playoffs, it was hoped that they could make a similar effort this year but all has not gone to plan for the Silkmen. Manager Brian Horton made some astute signings during the summer months but the team haven't been performing and it looks as if the season will be a struggle push up into mid-table and avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight.

Their Squad
The four summer signings of Kevin Townson (left), Martin Bullock, Kevin Sandwith and David Beresford looked good on paper but they clearly haven't settled as the manager had wished. Although the players may have added strength and depth to the side, it looks as if the main problem has been losing striker Matthew Tipton. After scoring 50 goals for the club, with whom he had enjoyed three and a half years with, he signed for Mansfield in June but quickly transferred to Bury after making just four appearances for the Stags in August. There appears to be no natural replacement in the side, and most of Macclesfield's goals have come from midfield this season.

Key Player
Martin Bullock will be Macclesfield's main threat on Friday. The Derby-born midfielder rose to fame at Barnsley, during which time he played in the Premiership. After making over 200 appearances for the Tykes he transferred to Blackpool via a loan spell at Port Vale. He joined the Moss Rose outfit in the summer and, despite not being known for goals, he has scored more in 15 starting appearances for Macclesfield than he did in 128 starts for Blackpool. Bullock is clearly a man in form.

Recent Form

TownMacclesfield
LBristol R(h)0-1
DNorthampton(a)0-0
LNewcastle (LC)(h)0-1
LOrient(h)0-1
WCheltenham(a)4-0
Currently 3rd in League Two.
DYeovil (FAC)(h)1-1
WBristol R(h)2-1
DTorquay(a)1-1
WChesterfield (LDV)(h)2-0
LPeterborough(h)0-4
Currently 23rd in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownMacclesfield
Kalala5
Reddy4
Bullock6
Harsley4

Team News

TownMacclesfield

  • Rob Jones needs a hernia operation and will be out for a month. Gary Croft remains sidelined although he is nearing a return. Andy Parkinson remains doubtful with shin splints and Michael Reddy missed training in the week.

  • Slade will welcome back Calvin Andrew to the side after he sat out the FA Cup defeat to Bristol Rovers last weekend at the request of his parent club Luton Town. Jean Paul Kamudimba Kalala is on international duty for the Republic of Congo.

  • Macclesfield are to recall transfer-listed Tony Barras to replace the suspended Danny Swailes in defence.

  • Mark Bailey has shaken off a minor achilles problem and veteran player- coach Ian Brightwell also returns.

    • Probable Teams

    TownMacclesfield
    1Steve Mildenhall
    2John McDermott
    3Tom Newey
    4Simon Ramsden
    6Justin Whittle
    15Gary Cohen
    22Calvin Andrew
    18Ciaran Toner
    8Paul Bolland
    9Michael Reddy
    10Martin Gritton

    Subs

    TownMacclesfield
    25Glen Downey
    14Terry Barwick
    11Andy Parkinson
    23Nick Heggarty
    19Gary Jones
    		 

    Head to Head

    The two clubs have only met twice - those being the two fixtures from last season. Town lost 3-1 away and drew 0-0 at home so they'll be keen to record their first victory against the Silkmen.

    P 2 W 0 D 1 L 1 F 1 A 2

    Macclesfield Head-to-Head (Not on on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    This was the 0-0 draw at Blundell Park on Boxing Day. The game was largely uneventful, with Macclesfield preferring to sit back and soak up the pressure. Town couldn't find a way to break down the visitors' defence and so a goalless draw was the end result - on Martin Gritton's debut for the club.

    Grimsby Team: Williams, Rob Jones, Forbes, Whittle, McDermott, Bull, Fleming, Crowe, Sestanovich, Parkinson (Reddy 72), Gritton
    Subs (not used): Pinault, Coldicott, Gordon, Cramb

    Macclesfield Team: Wilson, Welch, Teague, Strong, Harsley, Carragher, Navarro (McIntyre 78), Potter, Tipton, Sheron (Widdrington 54), Parkin
    Subs: (not used) Fettis, Whitaker, Miles

    Attendance: 5,108    Report

    Prediction

    Macclesfield haven't won away from home this season (apart from their excellent 3-2 League Cup first round win at Notts Forest) but with Town struggling to find any home form whatsoever (and having only recorded one win in their last eight matches, losing five consecutive home games in the process), a draw could be on the cards.

    1-1

    Recent Predictions

    GamePredictionScorePoints
    Bristol R2-01-21
    Northampton1-10-01
    Morecambe1-01-10
    Cheltenham1-14-00
    Wycombe2-20-10
    Shrewsbury2-00-00
    Notts Co1-04-01
    Boston2-11-10
    Spurs1-21-00
    Torquay2-23-00
    		 Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.

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