A warm evening at the Moss Rose saw the arrival of Coca Cola Football League Championship side Derby County. A more testing challenge for the Macc Town Lads was promised. Macc lined up in their 5-3-2, with Fettis in goal, Bailey, Welch, Briscoe, Barras and Potter at the back, Harsley, Widdrington and Miles in midfield and Parkin and Tipton up front. Derby played in a 4-4-2 with the two central midfield players dropping back very quickly. It was a physically big, well organised defence that was going to be difficult to break down. Jon Parkin, who normally towers over most people on the pitch, looked of average height against the Derby opposition. Derby also featured a couple of quick men up front in Peschisolido and Smith.
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Both teams started brightly and it was Miles making a good run into the Derby defence but his pass went astray. On 5 mins, Tipton made space on the right and put in a decent cross, but Parkin was unable to turn the ball goal wards as Derby quickly cleared the danger. A minute later it was Derby's turn to show their attacking skills as a shot was fired in that Fettis saved. After the good start, the game started to slow and rather meander along and it was Derby getting the better chances. Smith putting in two strong shots, both of which were off target. On 24 mins, again it was Smith, working well down the left, but his cross ball could not be turned in. In the Macc defence, Briscoe was featuring well with some well timed challenges and clearances and Barras was playing safety first by getting the ball quickly away from any danger. On 30 mins, Widdrington gave away a free kick just outside the Macc area, but Derby could not capitalise, being unable to get enough power behind the resultant header. In midfield, the physically big Huddlestone was battling with Harsley for control and it was Harsley who fed in a corner ball that Barras put well over.
At half time, Derby made a number of changes to their line up, Macc only swapping keepers with Wilson coming on for Fettis.
Again it was Miles making a good tricky run down the left for Macc, but his cross was not met by anybody. Similarly Derby attacked down the left with Derby number 7 putting a header in that was just wide. On 52 mins, Parkin and Tipton worked the ball into the middle of the Derby defence and set up Miles, but his shot took a wicked deflection up and over the bar. From the corner, Potter smashed in a shot that was blocked in the Derby goal mouth, and Tipton was just unable to force the ball into the goal. Derby attacked back and saw their chance also blocked out and away.
On 55 mins, Carr replaced Bailey and Derby started to really apply the pressure to the Macc defence. 58 mins, Whitaker replaced Miles. Derby continued to exert their control on the game and the speed of the recover to a defensive position was impressive. 73 mins Morgan replaced Widdrington. Macc responded to the Derby pressure and from a free kick, Parkin tried to steer the ball in but the defender cleared. From the corner, Barras rose well and put in a strong header that went over the bar. At the other end Junior tested Wilson with a good shot. Around the 75 mins mark, Smith was put well clear in space on the right, but Briscoe was able to get across and block the shot. On 79 mins, Tipton and Potter worked a throw in and the cross fell to Harsley, whose shot was straight at the Derby keeper Oakes. 80 mins Tipton off Ross on.
From a corner, it looked like Derby must score, but Morgan on the line managed to scramble the ball away. Derby now went for the winning goal, Junior? getting the best chance with a free header right in front of the Macc goal, but he put the ball too steeply down into the ground and Wilson was able to gather. Smith then broke free and his shot produced a fine diving save from Wilson. It looked like Derby must score as three players burst through the Macc defence, but Wilson, diving to his left somehow managed to block the ball away. The final chance of the game fell to Macc, but Morgan's shot was straight at Oakes.
All times approximate.
Ref: Mr S Mathieson