By Nathan Jackson
December 5 2004

The Imps travel to suprise package of the season, Macclesfield Town with a view to moving 2nd in the table. A win and some nice results elsewhere will see City move up 3 places but it won't be easy against a team who've won 5 out of 9 home games so far this season.

INTRODUCTION

After a weekend off due to the FA Cup, Tuesday night's fixture could, with all the result going our way, see City moved into second place in the table. For this to happen, Southend would have to beat Orient, Kidderminster beat Yeovil and Oxford beating Swansea on Wednesday night. To be honest, I don't expect all of the results to go our way (Kiddy beating Yeovil) but a 5th consecutive league win for the Imps would see the Imps increase promotion chances whilst also dented those of surprise playoff contenders, Macclesfield Town.

Macclesfield Town is also the home of the most irritating commentator in the world. For example, a goal would go "Ball cross in, come on Tippy, yessssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, what a great goal!, he said that about almost every goal last season that Macc scored, even the ones from 2 yards.

+TEAM NEWS FOR THE IMPS

As you were for the Imps. No new injury worries and Futcher should continue in the side after having his red card against Yeovil resinded.

Marriott

Bloomer  McAuley  McCombe  Futcher   Sandwith

Butcher  Gain

Yeo   Richardson   Taylor-Fletcher

MACCLESFIELD TOWN

Like Lincoln, Macclesfield are an example of how a manager can change a team's fortunes for the better. Last season, Macc looked to be heading to relegation before Brian Horton came along and 10 points from his first 4 games all but assured they would survive.

This season, Macc have proven as suprise playoff contenders and currently lay in 6th place, just behind the Imps. They've had some impressive results at Moss Rose this season, including victories over Mansfield (4-0) and Grimsby (3-1). But the last two games have both been cup games, both of which, they lost.

Macclesfield's record this season (league only)

Wins - 9 (including 5 at home)

Draws - 3

Losses - 7

PREVIOUS RESULTS AGAINST MACCLESFIELD

Macclesfield haven't had a lot of luck recently when it comes to Lincoln. City have won 5 of the last 6 meetings and the draw towards the end of last season was as good as a victory for a lot of Macc fans. In 5 of those matches, Macc have also failed to score. However, Macc were a hard nut to crack last season and only a last minute Franny Green goal last season saw the Imps win an exciting game at Sincil Bank 3-2.

2003/4

Macc 0 City 0

Lincoln City 3 Macc 2

2002/3

Macc 0 City 1

City 3 Macc 0