Archived News from December 2003
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STAGSNET`S STATISTICAL PREVIEW
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Macclesfield is, like Kidderminster, another side which first was refused entry to the FL due to ground regulations, then a couple of seasons later, finally gained entry to the league (The Silkmen won the Conf in 1994-95 and then in 1996-97). On joining the League, the Silkmen were the fifth side to gain further promotion in their first FL season in 1997-98 (the others being Peterborough in 1960-61, Hereford in 1972-73, Darlington in 1990-91 on immediate league return after being relegated in 1988-89 and Wycombe in 1993-94) in second position being unbeaten at home, behind Notts County. But the Macc had up to the Field Mill fixture on September 6, 2003 only once scored at the Mill and that was when the teams shared eight goals apiece in a 4-4 draw on August 28, 2000 – the first game at the new-look Field Mill in front of 3360.
The teams also faced each other in 2001-02 when the lowest home crowd of the 2001-02 promotion season, just 2681, - no FL subsequent Stags FL home league game have seen a crowd below 3000 - saw the Stags stuff the Silkmen 4-0 with the help of two strikes from Disley and one apiece from Greenacre and White. Needless to say that this is the up-to-date highest Stags win against the Macc. Incidentally, one of Macclesfield's up to date highest league wins was in a home game against the Stags on November 2, 1999 – 5-2 to the Silkmen. This was bettered by the Silkmen on December 13, 2003, when Huddersfield was mauled 4-0 at Moss Rose. All other league games between the clubs up to the game at Field Mill earlier on this season have been decided by the only goal of the game – the most important one being an injury-time Tankard header at Moss Rose on December 29, 2001 in front of 2550, of whom about a third, 771, took the relative short trip across the Peak District to Silkmen Country – nearly on the day two years ago!! In 2000-01, the Stags also won by the only goal of the game at Moss Rose. On January 14, 2001, Mark Blake hit the winner 34 minutes into that tie. The teams have never faced each other in cup competitons but both teams have had FA Cup home games against West Ham. In Macclesfield's case, this happened only the week after Tankard's injury time winner. The Hammers won the 3rd round FA Cup 2001-02 tie with the same scoreline as with which the MIGHTY STAGS KO'ed West Ham in 1968-69 – 3-0! And both sides figure in this season's 3rd round of the FA Cup. While the Stags will bring on Division One Burnley at Field Mill, the Silkmen have to travel to Swansea, ensuring that at least TWO sides below Division Two will figure in the 4th round – the other being either Southend or Conf side Scarborough. Earlier this season, the Stags overturned a half-time 1-2-deficit into a 3-2 win, the winner being the first converted Liam Lawrence penalty with 20 minutes to go. Other Stags scorers on September 6 were Artell and Mendes, while Tipton and Miles netted for the Silkmen in the first half. Played for both sides: Colin Little, Neil Moore, Lee Glover, Syd Carter Home games: P 5, W 4, D 1, L 0, GF 13, GA 6 Away games: P 4, W 2, D 0, L 2, GF 4, GA 6 Season Home Date Away Date 1997-98 1-0 1998-02-24 0-1 1997-10-18 Div 3 1999-2000 1-0 2000-03-11 2-5 1999-11-02 Div 3 2000-01 4-4 2000-08-28 1-0 2001-01-14 Div 3 2001-02 4-0 2001-08-27 1-0 2001-12-29 Div 3 2003-04 3-2 2003-09-06 (at Field Mill) Div 3 Svante Bernhard aka Sweden Stag (pictured, above right) |
Latest | December 2003