Macclesfield v Scunthorpe United

Saturday, August 28, 2004

Football League Two

Macclesfield :
Fettis, Barras, Briscoe, Welch, Bailey, Potter, Widdrington (Sheron 55), Whitaker, Harsley, Parkin, Tipton
Subs not used:
Wilson, Miles, Brightwell, Swadi Fayadh

Scunthorpe United :
Musselwhite, Stanton, Ridley, Crosby, Butler, Sparrow, Baraclough, Kell, Beagrie (Taylor 42), Keogh, Hayes
Subs not used:
Bailey, Byrne, Parton, Evans

SULSESC REPORT

by Mark Borrill at Moss Rose

NO trains, no problem, we'll go by road instead. Only minor delays caused by frozen meat packages and the need to trouser rub coins for the M6 toll.

Anyway, let's move on to the all important match, where United supporters chanting "We are top of the league" encapsulated the somewhat surreal backdrop to the game. Macclesfield v Scunthorpe as a top of the table clash seemed hardly likely but strange things do happen. Witness, for example, frozen meat on the M1.

After a slow, tentative opening, largely on the defensive, United took the lead through a nicely worked passing move. Thereafter, we held on to the initiative until conceding a sloppy equaliser on the stroke of half–time.

Nonetheless, it was the Iron who came out positively in the second period, regaining the lead quickly and looking like the only winners. Naturally, we didn't win, succumbing to yet another penalty against us. So basically, this was a 2–2 defeat.

Whilst I seriously doubt our ability to sustain a position anywhere near the top of the table for very long, there are fortunately a number of encouraging signs which should prevent a repeat of last season.

As a team, apart from a weakness up front, our shape seems largely okay, we are playing a decent brand of passing and movement, and the attitude appears to be positive, so let's enjoy it while it lasts.

Got to go now, as I've only got three weeks in which to rub enough coins prior to Bury via the toll. Wonder where we will be by then; "We are 12th in the league"...