City v Macclesfield: Head to Head

Last updated : 22 February 2002 By Andy Beill
Macclesfield have played City 11 times since winning promotion to the Football League in 1997.

The first encounter - at Moss Rose in the League Cup - finished 0-0, and this was a sign of things to come. Since then a further five of the meetings have ended goal-less.

The matches at Boothferry Park have generally brought goals. The return leg of the above mentioned League Cup game finished 2-1 to City after extra time in a thrilling game. Richard Peacock had put City ahead in the 14th minute before ex-Tiger Andy Mason equalised minutes before half time. Macclesfield were set to win the game on the away goals rule but a strike by substitute Warren Joyce deep into extra time sent City through to the next round where they played - and beat - Premiership strugglers Crystal Palace.

City failed to get the better of the Silkmen in the league meetings that season, however, with Macclesfield winning 2-0 at their place and drawing 0-0 in Hull. Macc won promotion that year, so the next time they played City was in 1999/2000 after being relegated from Division 2.

The Boothferry Park match was another exciting one, with the visitors going home with the three points. City had gone ahead through Colin Alcide in the 13th minute, but goalkeeper Lee Bracey gave away a penalty and was sent off in the 39th minute. Former City captain Gregor Rioch beat stand-in 'keeper John Schofield with the penalty. Schofield was then substituted for rookie Matt Baker who had an unlucky debut. He was beaten in the 55th minute by another Greg Rioch strike, but David Brown levelled things 10 minutes later. With a draw looking imminent, Paul Ware popped up two minutes from time to beat Matt Baker with an overhead kick and sealed a 3-2 win for Macclesfield.

City went to Moss Rose two months later for the First Round of the FA Cup, with Theo Whitmore making his debut. Despite a dazzling display from the Jamaican star it ended 0-0.

In the Replay City tore Macclesfield apart. Whitmore starred as John Eyre (2), Mark Greaves and David Brown pulled off a 4-0 win.

City followed it up with their only ever win at Macclesfield nearly three months later, with John Eyre scoring twice again.

That was the last time that the fixture saw a goal, with both of last season's matches finishing 0-0, and this season's away tie again ending blank, with Macc 'keeper Steve Wilson shutting out his old side.