Goals
None
Bookings
9 - Mike Edwards - Foul
35 - Gary Alexander - Foul
Sendings Off
None
Match Report
City failed to create any real clear cut chances and as a result had to settle for a draw against Macclesffield at a typically wet Moss Rose. Depsite dominating the Second Half, the Tigers failed to capitalise on the amount of posession and territorial advantage they had and could not find a way past Steve Wilson in the Macc goal.
Justin Whittle replaced Matt Bloomer and Lee Philpott came in for Ben Petty in the only changes to the side that lost 3-0 at Derby in mid-week. Lawrie Dudfield shook off a nasty cut to his knee and started up front along side Gary Alexander.
Theo Whitmore had the first chance of the game, superbly beating 4 men before having his shot well held by Wilson. The former City keeper received a good reception from the 800 or so Tigers fans congregated in the open terrace behind one of the goals and (luckily) round the corner in the seats. It soon became apparrent that the referee was a whstle-happy type, and proceeded to make a lot of poor decisions during the game, mostly to us.
The game was pretty even, but the hosts were starting to create an impression up front, and carved out a good opportunities in quick succession, with Richard Tracey heading over when he should have hit the target, and Kyle Lightbourne seeing his header held on the line by Matt Glennon. And minutes later, Karl Munroe volleyed wide after receiving Lightbourne's knockdown, when it looked as though he may have scored.
City were still having plenty of the play however, but could not create any chances at the other end, despite forcing numerous corners. So Brian Little was probably happy to go in at the break on level terms and give the side some further instruction at half time.
Whatever he said seemed to work as the Second Half was completely different to the first, with the Tigers totally dominat. Again though, they were finding it hard to create anything with the final ball, despite good build-up play, especially by Theodore Whitmore, whose running, passing and trickery was first class, just like at Derby. He dribbled round 3 or 4 Macc players at times, and was clearly a cut above, once again. The lack of goalscoring opportunities ended on 65 minutes when Andy Holt chipped a great ball in behind the defence and to Lawrie Dudfield, but he saw his header brilliantly saved by Wilson.
Macc went up the other end and nearly took the lead themselves, but Lightbourne's shot took a big deflection and went out for a corner. City struck back and Dudfield was again at the centre of the action, this time making a superb run to the byline only to see his centre grasped by Steve Wilson as the ball squirmed under his body. The Tigers' record buy was substituted with 10 minutes to go, replaced by David Lee, but the ex-Southend man had little time to contribute.
The game was drawing to a close, but as the customary downpour drenched us behind the goal, Rickie Lambert hit a free kick just wide for Macc. It was the last chance of the match, as the referee put us out of our misery moments later.
City will need to improve against Rochdale on Tuesday night. A draw was probably a fair result, as we had the better of the play, and they created the better chances. Just one of those days...
Man Of The Match - Theodore Whitmore
Showed brilliance on the ball and with his distribution; unfortunately nothing came of it today...
Day Out...
Well, a draw and a downpour were expected by many Tigers supporters, and that is exactly what we got. On yet another miserable afternoon in Macclesfield we had to endure a fairly dour game, especially in the first half, with City only improving after the break, dominating the second.
The support was (again) top-notch, with us behind the goal and the others in the seats trying to lift the lads to victory. Steve Wilson also received a very good reception, whcih was nice to see. However, by the time the customary nightmare Macclesfield downpour emtied on those of us in the open terrace, spirits were slightly, erm... dampened. The walk back to the car was a nasty one, with someone I know remarking about the frequent rain on trips to Moss Rose, and finishing with "I aint coming here again," which provoked much laughter from a resident Macclesfieldian behind us.
Support - 800 |
