Match Report 2001-2002

Tuesday 21 August, 2001 Worthington Cup First Round

Macclesfield Town Away

Mission Possible

Jim Jefferies put promotion to back the Premiership as Cup's sole cause as he sent City's reserves out in the League cup at Macclesfield Town.

While Jefferies pays lip service to the idea of the squad and the fact that any team that contains Lee Sharpe and Claus Jorgensen should be able to deal with a third division team the fact is that once you pick a team of players beneath the first team the message you send out its that this game is less important.

So in those terms, this is mission accomplished with City squeaking through. No serious injuries to the squad and most of the squad kept fresh for Friday night against Coventry despite thirty minutes of extra time. Of all the City players given a work out Aidan Davison will have done himself most credit, he was stretched and matched a number of times, but the likes of Gareth Grant and Claus Jorgensen will have to perform better to push for the starting 11. Lewis Emanuel looked confident on the ball on what was his Bradford City debut.

Jamie Lawrence set the tone for City's evening as he ballooned over from eight yards after a quarter of an hour. Gareth Grant missed a chance well created by Lee Sharpe when he should have done better.

Sharpe was impressive on the ball but overall City were wasteful with possession, surrendering the ball. Macclesfield were little better in the first forty-five but improved after half time. An hour in, a header flicked on by former Coventry City man Kyle Lightbourne to Lee Glover who finished smartly.

As with the Ashley Wardless game at home with Blackburn City looked light up front. Gareth Grant's future at the club looks minimal as it is but if it depends on his ability to lead the line then he has none. Grant speed is his strength but his strength is non-existent.

So giantkilling seemed to be the order of the day until captain for the night Lee Sharpe flicked a corner across for the rising form of debut boy Andy Tod to nod home. Tod made a solid debut playing in the forward line towards the end of the game and looking the very model of a no nonsense centreback.

Game joined then, at last, and for 15 minutes there was something of a cup tie with cut and thrust until the game reached extra time, continued as a hectic battle against tired legs as much as each other until a ball fed to Stuart McCall resulted in the legend arrowing a shot in from 35 yards with a fistful of minutes on the clock. Game over, penalties not required and the name in the hat. If City go on to win this cup, and that is a big if, no one will remember this game, or the fact that it came down to a Mark Bower foot to knock the ball off the line in the dying second to put City through.

Man of the Match

Lee Sharpe

Looks commanding in central midfield.

City Team:

Davison
Halle Tod Bower Emmanuel
Lawrence Sharpe Jorgensen
Jess
Blake Grant

Subs: Whalley, Molenaar, McCall