Macclesfield Town Match Preview

ASHTON UNITED VS MACCLESFIELD TOWN FC
DATE: SATURDAY 14TH JULY 2018
KO: 3:00PM
VENUE: Hurst Cross Stadium, Surrey Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, OL6 8DY
The current champions of the National League are the next visitors to Hurst Cross during preparations for the Robin’s first season back in the National League North since its inception in 2004. Macclesfield will provide a good test for the Robins as they a set to field a strong side on Saturday afternoon.
Having made six signings on Tuesday, manager Jody Banim will once again be hoping that the new squad members, alongside the returnee’s, will be able to get a good run out against the Sky Bet League Two Side. To recap, the six new signings are; Darren Thornton, Matt Regan, Curtis Jones, Zack Dale, Oliver Crowley and Scott Sephton. In addition to this many of the Play-Off winning side remain in the squad including the likes of Liam Tomsett, David Carnell and Aaron Chalmers amongst others.

ONE TO WATCH:
The one to watch for this game is young attacking midfielder Koby Arthur. Starting his career at Birmingham City, the forward managed to play 16 games for the Championship side. He moved on loan to Lincoln city in 2013 and made six league appearances. The next season Koby took in a loan spell at League Two side Cheltenham Town, a spell in which he made a good impression scoring three goals in seven games. Koby returned to Cheltenham in 2016-17 before making a permanent move to Macclesfield Town last season and this season he has signed a one year contract renewal in which he will be looking to prove himself again in the Football League.

LAST TIME WE MET:
The last time the Robin’s faced Macclesfield Town was in a first round FA trophy tie back in 2015 away from home. This game had initially gone ahead ten days prior and Ashton were even two goals to the good at half time however some extreme weather conditions forced the referee to reschedule the tie. The game went ahead ten days later and this time the Robins were not so fortunate as they were 1-0 down after only 13 minutes after a Kristian Dennis penalty. It went from bad to worse and on the 40 minute mark Paul Lewis doubled the lead for the home side. Danny Whitehead scored early in the second half and Paul Lewis scored his second of the night to put the result beyond all doubt, however the Robin’s still kept fighting and had numerous chances to reduce the deficit with the best coming just before the final whistle through Chris Baguley whose shot went narrowly wide.

HOW CAN I FOLLOW THE ACTION?
Match updates will be available through the usual social media channels; Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Alternatively you can make the visit to Hurst Cross with match prices as follows;
Adults - £7
Concessions - £5

Updated 15:35 - 30 Aug 2019 by George Clayton