Macclesfield Town (H) F.A.Cup 1st round, 5 Nov 3pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

Ah, the F.A.Cup......the proper cup competition, the original, the traditional, the real McCoy! For this, the 1st round proper, we have a home tie against the Silkmen who currently occupy 10th place in the National League. Between 1996/7 and 2011/12 they had Football League status, and at the time of their relegation to the Conference they were the longest-standing members of League 2. Macclesfield's away form is not to be dismissed lightly as they have wins at Solihull Moors, Guiseley, Bromley and Braintree this season, coupled with a 1-4 result at fellow National League North Ferriby United in the F.A.Cup qualifying match which gave them entry to this 1st round proper.

I've noted two connections linking Walsall with Macclesfield Town - those Saddlers supporters with very long memories may well recall Colin Askey, a 5ft 8in right winger who appeared in 83 matches for Walsall between 1958 and 1962, scoring 12 goals. Colin is still around at the tender age of 84 years, and it's his son John Askey who is the manager of the Silkmen, following a playing career which included more than 500 appearances for them. The other connection concerns the one and only time we've lost to Macclesfield - this was an F.A. Cup replay (which took place at Glanford Park, Scunthorpe for reasons which are unclear). Anyway, we managed to lose that 0-1, and Macclesfield's goalkeeper that day was a certain Jonny Brain (shiver).....

Current League form for the Silkmen is very much "up and down" - at the beginning of October they were only a point behind the leaders, but the most recent 5 games have been winless and they find themselves 10 points behind leaders Forest Green.

So what will Jon Whitney's team sheet look like this week? The absence of Amadou Bakayoko last week is worrying - I've seen the cause given as "personal reasons", which could mean anything. Has Simeon Jackson's thigh injury now fully ceased to be a problem? How serious was the injury to Kieron Morris after it caused his withdrawal during the Coventry City game? Will we have the pleasure of seeing a fully fit Florent Cuvelier or Osbourne/Osborne/Osborn in the near future? The answer to these and other questions will be provided at around 2.20pm on Saturday........

Prediction? Well, in our 7 games against Macclesfield we have managed to win 4, draw 2 and lose just the one referred to above, all starting with the 0-7 win at Moss Rose in 1997. I can't honestly see a repeat of that particular scoreline, but I think it's within the realms of possibility that we should qualify for the 2nd round of the F.A. Cup following a 3-0 result, with goals from Oztumer (of course), Makris (it's got to happen some time), and Laird.

UTS :D

[Barren Flak]

Top stuff Welsh.

I'm looking forward to this one, and crossing fingers for a non-obscured view from the stand that you could still mistake for Glandford Park.

Not too concerned about the knock to Morris, as we are likely to get next week off and he'll be back, I'd give Ginelly a run in this one, his pace should give them bother, especially if he can maintain it for 90 mins. Assuming we can play all our loans, and next weekend will be off for International Commitments, a strong XI may well be picked. Preston got a game at this stage last year, and scored if I recall correctly, though my view was obscured by the silent youth. I'd have him playing too. Upfront is a concern, as we don't know on Baka, mind Jackson looked fine for his cameo on Saturday. I may consider sticking Makris out on the wing, he created two goals (against Bury) in his last start there, and could do with being cajoled along and given a bit of love. The boy looks a little lost to me at the mo.

Narrow home win. Some headed goals. Scratchings to be sold out by half-time. Blame to be apportioned to closure of the Upper/Middle Tier of the Tile Choice.

[WarsawPact]

Lots of Championship and a few Prem scouts are expected to be in attendance.
I wouldn't be surprised if they left disappointed - with Ozzy being rested and Makris playing behind Jackson or Bakayoko.

Love First-Round day, me.

:)

[clawtheolder]

Where have you got the Glandford Park game from, surely we lost in a replay 1- 0 at the Bescot the only time they`ve beaten us

[Tom_1992]

Hopefully a comfortable win to keep this run going. I would go with:

Etheridge

McCarthy
Toner
O'Connor
Laird

Osbourne
Edwards

Makris
Oztumer
Morris

Jackson

2-0, with Morris and Bakayoko from the bench to score.

Think the crowd will be around the 2,800-3,000 mark. Macc should bring 400.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Where have you got the Glandford Park game from, surely we lost in a replay 1- 0 at the Bescot the only time they`ve beaten us

That's exactly what I would have thought......and if it was Bescot (as it should have been) then I stand corrected.

My source was the website http://www.11v11.com/matches/walsall-v- ... 06-275755/
They definitely state Glanford Park, Andy D'Urso as referee, and attendance of 3,114.

It must have been seeing the name Jonny Brain that threw me!! :mrgreen:

[clawtheolder]

Where have you got the Glandford Park game from, surely we lost in a replay 1- 0 at the Bescot the only time they`ve beaten us

That's exactly what I would have thought......and if it was Bescot (as it should have been) then I stand corrected.

My source was the website http://www.11v11.com/matches/walsall-v- ... 06-275755/
They definitely state Glanford Park, Andy D'Urso as referee, and attendance of 3,114.

It must have been seeing the name Jonny Brain that threw me!! :mrgreen:

Definitely Bescot I went to both games 0-0 away and replay 0-1 at home. I usually use soccerbase for my info memory not as good now. was on sky Monday night soccer, not sure whether that was the game where they kicked the balls into the ground, only bit of entertainment all night.

[Walsallone]

Ah the name Colin Askey brings back some happy memories. His header on the 26th of April 1961 still lives in my memory.It helped to secure our promotion at Shrewsbury to what was then Division 2!!. He played 38 games that season and scored 4 goals from the right wing.Glad to see he is still going strong.
The replay referred to earlier was at Bescot....it was one of the worst games I have ever seen!!! We are playing like Real Madrid compared to that performance. I do hope we are slightly better on Saturday!!

[Exile]

The football prank was at Macclesfield.

https://youtu.be/5broQyIryCM

[saddlerphil]

Tough game this one!!

I will go for...

ATT: 4290 (239)

2-2

Walsall
Chris Shuker
Ian Brightwell

Macclesfiled
Kyle Lightbourne
Tony Barras

Our Jonny Brain will save a long punt up from Richard O'Donnell in the last minute.

[nottmsaddler]

It's probably because they are so similar that neutrals can't tell them apart.

Come to think of it, has anyone ever seen The Banks's and Glanford Park in the same room?

[IHTC.]

Lots of Championship and a few Prem scouts are expected to be in attendance.
I wouldn't be surprised if they left disappointed - with Ozzy being rested and Makris playing behind Jackson or Bakayoko.

Love First-Round day, me.

:)

JW is going to play his strongest eleven with the exception of perhaps Morris.

[reedswood sadler]

I love these FA cup games against non league opposition form and league positions mean nothing.

Over the years I have seen plenty with quite a few humiliating defeats in there so no prediction for me.

[Cheesebag]

The scouts have come to see Makris! £££££££££ :mrgreen:

[Andy_Petterson]

I love these FA cup games against non league opposition form and league positions mean nothing.

Over the years I have seen plenty with quite a few humiliating defeats in there so no prediction for me.

Why don't you predict a humiliating defeat?

[swampysaddler]

Walsall 1 Macc 2.

[killers left foot]

The scouts have come to see Makris! £££££££££ :mrgreen:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[chunkster]

The scouts have come to see Makris! £££££££££ :mrgreen:

ye, and they will be meeting up with the girl guides after the game :lol:

[Ancient Moaner]

Preston in for O Connor, Makris bench warming, Ginnelly in.
was a good chance to get Baybyro some match time but he's gone for Jackson instead.
Can't see Macclesfield being a problem to us, I predict a 2-0 scoreline, Jackson & the Turkish Messi with the goals, second half.
Less than 4,000 in the stadium, it's cold, windy, and it's bonfire night...entrance fees already spent on fireworks. :mrgreen:

[Guest]

1Etheridge
3Laird
32Toner
16Preston
5McCarthy
7Chambers
2Edwards
44Moussa
10Oztumer
18Ginnelly
9Jackson
Substitutes
6Dobson
13MacGillivray
14Osbourne
15Kinsella
20Bakayoko
24Roberts
33Makris

[Ancient Moaner]

Crikey, the interest in this match is overwhelming, I've struggled sooo much to get on the site!

Interesting line up for little Whitehawk ( leading 1-0) like the league of nations!! :lol: :lol:

[SaddlerCraig]

1-0 Macclesfield another set piece we cant deal with..

[Ancient Moaner]

1-0 Macclesfield another set piece we cant deal with..

What a bummer............. :evil: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
We should be 'dealing ' with the likes of an average Conference side! Makes my blood boil it really does, lets hope it's just a blip on the way to a victory?

[chunkster]

1-0 Macclesfield another set piece we cant deal with..

What a bummer............. :evil: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

well they do play in the vanarama :mrgreen: brackley are 2-1 up at gillingham

[saddla]

This is exactly why Whitters doesn't play Preston!
Terrible header back to the keeper. :evil:

[chunkster]

They are completely outplaying us and should be 3-0 up :|

[Ancient Moaner]

Reading the stats, they appear to be all over us like a rash, sounds familiar dow it?
I think we are in for a long hard season of ineptness, but that's the Walsall way aye it! :?

Only hope we are not amongst the list of giant killing victims, if we are we may as well kiss our season one under Whitters goodbye! :(

[deldras]

Fortunately we're fielding a strong team today :shock:

[Ancient Moaner]

Fortunately we're fielding a strong team today :shock:

Yeah seems like it don't it!
If Macclesfield can beat us at home, how embarrassing are our games against the likes of Bolton/Bradford etc going to be?

[chunkster]

I shall reserve my thoughts until the end of the game :|