All you need to know ahead of the Town's trip to Moss Rose
WHO? Macclesfield Town, aka, the Silkmen. Formed in 1874, the club play at the Moss Rose, which was built 1891. The Silkmen were a successful non-league side for many years before they were promoted to the Football League as Conference champions in 1997. They stayed among the 92 up until 2012, when they were relegated after 15 consecutive seasons.
WHERE? Macc’s Moss Rose home lies on London Road in the town, a distance of 152 miles from the Maple Road car park. The boffins at Google Maps also tell us that it would take two hours and 38 minutes to do that journey. But remember, this game is taking place on a Tuesday night, so be sure to add a few more minutes on in preparation. The last thing you want is to be stuck on the M6 at 8pm.
OH TUESDAY, TUESDAY. The original game was set for Saturday 11th January but was rearranged due to the Hatters’ FA Trophy third round tie at Cambridge United.
HOW DO I GET THERE? Take the M1 and M6 north, and leave the M6 at Junction 17 and turn onto the A534 towards Congleton. On reaching Congleton town centre follow the signs for A54 Buxton. Stay on the A54 for around five miles and then turn left on to the A523 towards Macclesfield. You will see the ground on your left after entering the outskirts of Macclesfield. It’s mostly street parking around and behind the ground, and on the A523 itself.
GETTING IN. Town supporters have the option to sit or stand tonight. Fans must, however, buy tickets from the Macc ticket office before entering the ground as the club operate a cashless turnstile policy. Alternatively you can give Macclesfield a call to book your tickets in advance to collect. For more details click here.
BOB IT. If reading the above is putting you off the idea of travelling to Macclesfield on a gridlocked Tuesday night in your own car, why not considering going on the Bobbers. The reliable travel club are, as ever, running a coach to Moss Rose. The fare is £23 for adults and £20 for concessions. The coach departs the bottom of Oak Road at 2.30pm. To book your spot call 01234 856542.
LAST TIME. It will be almost a year to the day that the Town last travelled to Moss Rose – also on a Tuesday night – that saw the club rocked by news just hours before kick-off that Paul Buckle had left the Kenilworth Road hot-seat. Alan Neilson took temporary charge and watched the Hatters take a 1-0 lead through Andre Gray’s goal. The Town looked all set to claim victory when Silkmen goalkeeper Rhys Taylor was sent-off. Macc had no substitute goalkeeper so midfielder Peter Winn donned the gloves but a number of stunning saves kept the Town at bay and the home side earned a point when Waide Fairhust equalised.
BOGEY TEAM. The Hatters have never won in four visits to the Moss Rose. Last season’s draw was only the second point the Town have gathered from the Cheshire venue. The first meeting between the two clubs came back in December 1998 when a late, late, late equaliser from Phil Gray earned the Hatters a 2-2 draw. In November 2001 the Town were thumped 4-1 by Macc, with Rickie Lambert smashing home a stunning hat-trick. The Silkmen also won on home soil in 2008, the Town’s minus-30 season, triumphing 2-1 in September.
FORTRESS MOSS ROSE. Macc might be down in midtable at the minute but John Askey’s side have overcome a terrible start to the season to give them half-a-shout of a Play-Off place come late April. The Silkmen failed to win any of their first nine games this term and since a 1-0 home defeat Alfreton on 14th September, Askey’s men have won 10 of their last 12 league matches at home, drawing twice. Plus, they’ve also held Championship Sheffield Wednesday to a draw in the FA Cup in January.
TOWN TEAM NEWS. Midfielders Alex Lawless and Pelly Ruddock are in contention for starts whilst Fraser Franks could make his Town debut in place of Ryan Inniss who misses the final game of his loan spell through illness.
KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU. Last season Macc has Matthew Barnes-Homer, John Paul Kissock and Charlie Henry among their ranks but all three former Hatters have since left the Moss Rose. However, one former Town man could be given his Silkmen debut tonight: George Pilkington. The experienced defender left Kenilworth Road in the summer of 2012 after 172 appearances in four seasons.
LIVE & DIRECT. We’ll have all the news as it happens from Kenilworth Road. Pre-match build-up, team news, live text and audio commentary, a report, reaction, photographs and interviews. Remember to keep it lutontown.co.uk, Hatters Player and check out our ever-growing Facebook and Twitter feeds. And keep an eye on our Instagram, Vine and YouTube accounts too for good measure #COYH.