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It’s Derby Day!

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Stockport County travel 12 miles to take on Macclesfield Town (just a small town in Stockport) today, with both sides looking for wins – but for different reasons.

A win for County would go some way to securing a play-off place, whilst a win for Macclesfield would go some way to securing their place in the football league next season.

Macclesfield lost their last game 4-1 at Boston, and the last time they were beaten at home was the 30th January when Walsall ran out 2-0 winners.

County beat Chester 2-0 on Monday, but had previously not won in five.

The last time the two teams met was in the league back in November. Macclesfield took the lead, before Adam Proudlock equalised for County with 15 minutes to go.

The sides have also met in the Johnstones Paint Trophy, when County reserves strolled through the game running out 1-0 winners against Macclesfield’s first team.

Vital Quotes:

God (Jim Gannon): ‘We used to have great rivalries with Burnley and Stoke, and now Macclesfield appear to have taken over from them.

‘That Boxing Day defeat has gone down in County folklore.

‘Macclesfield will be desperate for points after their heavy defeat at Boston over Easter. We’ve got a good strong core of players and a good strong core of fans, and if we get the best out of them both on Saturday, we will get a result.’

Some Ex-United Player: ‘I want to apologise to the fans for that performance at Boston United,’

‘It was not acceptable. But I also want to thank them. We are in this together and, even at 3-0 down, they were cheering our every touch.

‘That’s the kind of support that will get us over the finishing line.’

Macclesfield Town Team News:

Alan Navarro may feature today, but is more likely to be saved for the game against Rochdale.

Jamie Tolley (shoulder) and Colin Heath (bruising) are also doubts.

Danny Swailes is out and won’t play.

Player to watch: John Murphy

Some County fans are big fans of John Murphy, and the man on loan from Blackpool is a good target man for this league.

He missed a sitter at EP, but he caused the defence problems and will be looking to do the same today.

Stockport County Team News:

Tes Bramble, Adam Proudlock and Adam Le Fondre are all not fit enough to start and will be hoping for a place on the bench.

Anthony Pilkington is likely to move upfront, which could mean a change in midfield.

Jason Taylor played on the left at Chester away, and we may see something similar today.

Another option for Gannon would be to play Tommy Rowe, and to stick with Taylor and Dinning in the middle.

Keith Briggs, Michael Rose, Michael Bowler & James Tunnicliffe are all out.

Player to watch: Joe Lewis

The big man in goals had nothing to do on his debut against Chester, but he will be tested today.

It will be interesting to see what his strengths and weaknesses are in only his second game in County colours.

Match Odds

Macclesfield Town – 8/5
Draw – 21/10
Stockport County – 7/5

Ref Watch:

Mr Penn is Saturday’s referee. He has only officiated a game involving Macclesfield this season, and that ended up 3-3 against Torquay United.

In 26 games he has handed out 67 yellow cards and three red cards.

Next Fixtures:

STOCKPORT COUNTY V MKDonalds – Saturday

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1 comment

  • scfctom says:

    2-0 to Macc, now must win probably 2 of last 3 games, Shrewsbury have an easy run-in so we might finish in 7th

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