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Archived News from November 2007

SUPPORTERS SIDE MAKE PIGS EAR OUT OF SILK PERFOR..
5th November 2007 14:24


STAGS SUPPORTERS SIDE MAKE A PIGS EAR OUT OF SILK PERFORMANCE

Mansfield Town (FTYBR FC) 4 Macclesfield Town (Real Silkmen IFC) 5

FTYBR FC Goals – James Bird x 3, Gary Bird.

Referee – Mr N Pinnick

Attendance 30.

It was a serious case of what could have been in the clash of the two MTFC supporters teams at Abbott Road on Saturday.

Little did both sets of supporters know that the game in the afternoon would warrant such a glut of goals, although on the evidence of the morning's fair both should have known it would be a day when the back of the net would see so much action.

The Real Silkmen, fresh from a 5-1 win over Bury the previous weekend quickly continued in the same vain of form, unfortunately so did the Stags supporters side who had conceded three bad goals 7 days previous away at Shrewsbury. Hardly had the Ref, Nigel Pinnick got spit in his whistle before he was blowing for the restart after Macclesfield had gone 1-0 up after the Stags side had unsuccessfully tried to employ a weak offside trap.

It was 1-1 though moments later when corner expert, and centre half, James Brown lofted in a kick that was finished by James Bird. The energetic young striker partnering Gary Bird up front, clearly pleased with his finish.

If thoughts were to go towards Stags moving up a gear and progressing in the game they were wrong as the visitor's once again found the defence wanting and made the score 2-1.

Once again though the Stags supporters side showed great character and were rightly awarded a penalty which James Bird confidently stepped forward to convert.

Although still looking shaky at the back, the front two were clearly causing the Macclesfield defence a multitude of problems. A fine ball from Keith Gilbert played in the speedy and skilful Gary Bird, who raced forward to round the keeper and put Mansfield 3-2 in front.

It was 4-2 when James Bird completed his hat-trick, although a little fortuitous as a Brown corner smacked him on the side of the head and nestled into the back of the net.

The first half scoring wasn't over though as the visitors clawed a goal back. Carl Gilbert in goal unlucky to see the original shot deflect to another Macc player who finished from close range.

Manager Steve Hartshorn was obviously concerned about his sides lack of defensive qualities and made several changes just after the 55th minute mark but by that time the visitors were level after catching the Stags side flat-footed with a quickly taken free kick that flew into the top corner of the net.

From then on in, the Stags supporters side created chance after chance but just couldn't find the missing pass or finish to go further in front.

With the clock ticking down to it's last minute, Martin Clark, after ghosting past three challenges was caught in possession and Macc sprung a lightening attack. With the Stags side pushed up looking for the winner, players were out of position and despite Carl Gilbert's best efforts, a supporting Macc player was on hand to scoop the ball home from very close range.

The visitor's were clearly overjoyed and the goal proved to be the winner.

The Stags side clearly thought in the dressing room afterwards that they had not played well from minute one and to the teams credit, all held up their hands and said as a team they were collectively at fault for what was a real disappointing result.

Manager Steve Hartshorn just couldn't put his finger on the reason for such an all round poor performance,

“The experience we had at the back and in the centre of the park should have put us in good stead for a winning performance, but it just didn't happen for us. Credit to Macclesfield though they gave us problems all morning with their speedy front line. I guess some days it's not going to happen.”

He did have some good words though about certain players who performed well.

“James Bird took his hat trick really well. I had been thinking about if a speedy small front two would work for us, but today both James and Gary caused all sorts of problems, and looking at it, all our four goals were scored by our front two which was pleasing.

Michael Scothron did extremely well also on the right hand side of midfield and then the left and Rob Allsop also impressed but collectively we were missing something which cost us a game we never should have lost.”

Team Line up and Markings

1. Carl Gilbert 6
2. Ady Coupe 7
3. Wayne Sharpe 6
4. Rob Allsop 7
5. James Brown 6
6. James Brunt 6
7. Keith Gilbert 7
8. Michael Scothron 8
9. Gary Bird 8
10. James Bird 9
11. Daz Plume 6
12. Craig Ploughman 6
13. Jono Rowe 6
14. Dave Baxter 6
15. Ian Hoult 6
16. Martin Clark 6

Man of the match – James Bird – Hat-trick and also caused problems all morning to the Macclesfield defence.

Don't forget to visit the FTYBR website pages on Stagsnet (follow Interactive/FTYBR from the top menu)


 

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