The Fishy - Grimsby Town FC

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4-4-2 Start?
4-4-2 Start?

Grimsby v Macclesfield Preview

By: Sam Kinnaird
Date: 23/08/2007

MACCLESFIELD Town visit Blundell Park with both sides looking for a first win of the campaign following successive draws in all their games so far. The difference between 2 points and 5 points from 3 games means the winner will have had a good start to the season and the loser a bad one.

Home > 2007-2008 Season > Previews > Macclesfield (h)


The Opposition

Overview

The Silkmen remarkably managed to avoid relegation from the Football League last season after looking to be dead and buried after having to wait twenty games for their first win. Former Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Ince was a surprise choice to succeed Brian Horton when he was sacked in October, and although he lost his first game in charge Macclesfield went on a nine-game unbeaten run, including an FA Cup outing at Chelsea. Macclesfield collected 19 points out of a possible 21 at one point, and managed to survive on the final day of the season with a 1-1 draw at Notts County. The previous season they finished an unremarkable 17th, but the 2004/5 season saw them finished 5th in League Two under Brian Horton and they were unluckily beaten in the play-off semi finals by Lincoln City, having narrowly escaped relegation the season before.

This Season
Paul Ince left for MK Dons in the summer after impressing last season, and former reserve team coach Ian Brightwell (above) took the reigns. Defender Alan Navarro and midfielder Martin Bullock were the only departures from Moss Rose in the close season, with Michael Husbands brought in from Port Vale and Richard Edghill (left) from Bradford. Also signed were Staines pair Levi Reid and Danny Thomas. Fans were more optimistic for the approaching season, taking into account the impressive second half to the last campaign. Successive opening draws have done little to deter this optimism, with a 1-1 draw at Bradford and a 3-3 home draw with Mk Dons the only league games played. The Silkmen did have a Carling Cup game against Leeds however, with a late Ian Westlake goal securing a 1-0 win for United and passage to the Second Round.

Key Player
Francis Green: 27-year-old striker Green was snapped up on a free transfer from relegated Boston United in the summer where he only managed 4 goals in 39 appearances for the Pilgrims. However he earnt his reputation at Lincoln where he became known for his pace and versatility, as well as his short fuse. Green, who can also play as a left winger has also played for Ilkeston Town and Peterborough United in his career. He has started this season in good form, with 3 goals in 3 appearances for the Silkmen.

Recent Form

TownMacclesfield
DBury(a)1-1
LBurnley (CC)(h)1-1
(2-4p)
DNotts Co(h)1-1
Currently 14th in League Two.
DBradford(a)1-1
LLeeds (CC)(h)0-1
DMK Dons(h)3-3
Currently 12th in League Two.

Team News

TownMacclesfield

  • Town Boss Alan Buckley is under pressure to revert to 4-4-2 in an attempt to gain a first win of the season, this would mean Isaiah Rankin or Gary Jones would probably play alongside Danny North.
  • Midfielder Jamie Tolley will be on the sidelines for a few more weeks with a ‘non-footballing’ injury to his hand picked up in the summer.

  • Defender Dave Morley is out with a foot problem until next month, Nick Blackman is also out with a knee injury.

  • Striker Michael Husbands could return to the team after a hamstring injury, Kevin Mcintyre and former Mariner Martin Gritton look to have shaken off illnesses.
  • Probable Teams

    TownMacclesfield
    1Barnes
    5Bennett
    15Whittle
    5Fenton
    3Newey
    7Till
    8Bolland
    11Boshell
    10Toner
    12Rankin
    9North
    1Lee
    3Regan
    2Edghill
    6Dimech
    14McIntyre
    16Reid
    15Murray
    25Dunfield
    8Green
    10Husbands
    9Gritton

    Subs

    TownMacclesfield
    13Montgomery
    2Clarke
    18Hunt
    18Bore
    19Jones
    21McNulty
    30Brain
    17Hadfield
    12Thomas
    26Evans

    Head to Head

    Macclesfield are somewhat of a latterday bogey side for Grimsby. There have only ever been six meeting between the two sides, with Town winning only 1, drawing 3 and losing the other 2. Town are without a win in the last 3.

    P 6 W 1 D 3 L 2 F 7 A 8

    Macclesfield Head-to-Head (83rd on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Macclesfield were on a roll and eased into an early 2-0 lead against the Mariners, who were also on a good run. Kevin McIntyre scored a debatable penalty and a moment of magic from Colin Heath put the Silkmen 2-0 up with an overhead scissor kick. Gary Jones pulled one back for Town, but despite some late pressure it was too little too late.

    Grimsby Team: Barnes, Bloomer, Whittle, Fenton, Croft, Bore, Bolland, Hunt, Toner, Newey, North Subs: McDermott, G. Jones, Murray, Grand, Till

    Macclesfield Team: Lee, Regan, Morley, Swailes, McIntyre, Bullock, Hadfield, Navarro, Mills, Murphy, Heath
    Subs: Doyle, Tipton, Jennings, Scott, Rouse

     Report

    Prediction

    Macclesfield 0-1 Grimsby Town

    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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