Archived News from February 2006
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FTYBR FC: REPORT V MACC
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IFA League Mansfield Town (FTYBR) 1 Macclesfield Town 5
Goal – James Bird 32 min Penalty Attendance 22 With an early kick off planned, but then delayed due to a couple of late arrivals from Macclesfield, it turned out to be a day to forget for FTYBR FC. The early kick off, due to the Team Mansfield protest meeting and march obviously benefited the visitors more than the hosts who conceded two early goals and faced an up-hill battle to get back into a game that was played in true IFA spirit. A number of changes were made to try to get back to winning ways, however there were also injuries to contend with, both Phil Waddington and the man of the match v's Darlington, James Brown missing due to ligament damage. Centre half, James Brunt and goalkeeper, Nick Sankey were also not up to 100% but injuries aside there was no excuse for such a poor start. Under fire Manager, Steve Hartshorn was for once, lost for words! “I just couldn't believe it. They broke away and sent in a perfect cross for their centre forward to power in a header on 4 minutes, to be honest it was a good goal, but just over a minute later, hesitant defending cost us dear and they ran through to score a second. I just looked up to the heavens and was completely lost for words. Which must be a first.” FTYBR gamely tried to impose themselves on the game but for the visiting team from Macclesfield it was a day when everything ran right as their manager later explained, “It was one of those days for us. Every time we passed the ball it went right and the goals were well worked. The scoreline seems a little harsh, but we played really well, the best we have done for a long, long time.” FTYBR gained a lifeline when James Bird was hacked down in the area on the half hour mark. He dusted himself off to confidently place the kick to the keeper's right hand side. But the visitors managed another goal and just before the half time mark, were themselves awarded a penalty kick, which despite a brave effort from FTYBR Goalkeeper, Nick Sankey, they scored. The Mansfield side left the field with heads held low and 4-1 down. To the Mansfield sides credit they tried to force the play in the 2nd half, but as in the previous week failed to turn their creative play into goals. Very late on Macclesfield broke forward and scored a scrappy fifth. Manager Steve Hartshorn was obviously disappointed. “We were well beaten today. Again we came up against a side who had the right mix of experienced players and players with youthful vigour. At the moment I have just four players with any kind of real experience, perhaps a couple more to help the younger players through wouldn't go a-miss? But these young lads we have wearing our amber shirt give absolutely everything. They have pride in representing Mansfield Town, and that makes me feel very proud indeed. We have a few weeks off now before our next game, so I'll take them for a bit of training, although we are struggling to get any indoor facilities but hopefully we can turn things around.” There were talks afterwards about the position of the manager and even a possible buy-out bid as Steve explains. “Not winning games always puts the manager under pressure but thankfully there were no 'Hartshorn out!' shouts this week. Perhaps this was because they knew there was nothing I could have done, they were a good side and there was one or two of our players who didn't play as well as they could've.” There was even a surprise buy-out bid. “Can I just say that FTYBR FC is not for sale. But of course everything has a price and I would be foolish not to at least listen to any offers that come forward. There is a figure that would interest me but I'm not going to tell anyone what that amount is, it is up to people to make the right kind of offer, when they do, I'll tell them that the bid is satisfactory. There was a bid put on the table but the offer from Phil Waddington was not enough to provoke interest. The 5p needs to improve quite a bit. He has 21 days before our next game, so it is now up to him.” Squad Sankey, Coupe, Wheatman, Brunt, Sharpe, Scothron, Cross, Bird J, Baxter, Hoult, Stokes, Tyldsley, Eggleshaw, Bird G, Ploughman, Latkowski. Goal – James Bird Penalty. Man of the Match – James Bird. Up and coming games 18th Feb – Peterborough United IFA. (Not confirmed) 4th March – Notts County Away. Friendly (Not confirmed) 18th March – Northampton Town Home. IFA (Confirmed) 25th March – Bristol Rovers Away. IFA (Confirmed) 1st April – Oxford United Home. IFA (Confirmed) 2nd April – Possible 11 a side tournament in Huddersfield. Awaiting confirmation of a place.
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Latest | February 2006