Match Preview

AFC make history as they entertain Vanarama National League side Macclesfield Town at The Wardale Williams Stadium in the Second Round Proper of the Buildbase sponsored FA Trophy.

MPR Plumbing Limited, 82 Egremont Street, Glemsford, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 7SG
Phone 07917 193459 are the match sponsors.

The furthest AFC have been in the Trophy before is the First Round Proper on four occasions, while their opponents have won the competition twice before in 1969/70 and 1995/96. They have also been finalists in the 1988/89 season.

Macclesfield have played Altrincham in the First Round Proper, drawing 1-1 at home and winning the replay away 2-1.

AFC to reach this stage have beaten in the1st Qualifying RoundBowers and Pitsea at home 4-1 (Bantick 2 (1 pen) Wales Eagle), 2nd Qualifying Round Romford at home 4-0 (Parker 2 Bantick Eagle), 3rd Qualifying Round, Kings Langley away 3 -1 (Callander Williams Clarke),1st Round Proper Gosport Borough home 2-1 (Eagle Bantick).

Macclesfield Town progressed to the Football League at the end of the 1996/97 season after winning the Conference. The remained in the League for fifteen season before being relegated at the end of the 2011/12 season.

'The Maccs' are currently in eight place in the National League with forty-three points from twenty-six games played, they sit six points outside the play-off places but with two games in hand.

AFC Manager Jamie Godbold happier after the collection of three valuable Ryman Premier League points on Tuesday will have to make do without a number of his squad for this tie. Jordan Blackwell and Erkan Okay are both out injured, while the versatile James Baker is missing due to an overseas business commitment. Alfie Carroll has recovered from injury and is back in the squad while Wayne Blackman having played his first game of the season in midweek is retained. Recent signing, striker Danny Crow is eligible for the tie.

If the score is level after ninety minutes a replay will take place at The Moss Rose on Tuesday 17th January with a 7.45pm kick off.