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Silkmen sign midfielder

MACCLESFIELD Town have swooped for experienced midfielder Paul Bolland.

The former Bradford, Notts County and Grimsby player has signed a 12-month deal.

Bolland hasn't played for more than a year after picking up a knee injury last pre-season.

Macc face Northampton opener

MACCLESFIELD open their 2009/2010 League Two campaign at Northampton on August 8.

Macclesfield face Rochdale (away) on December 5 and Bury (away) on December 19, with the return games on February 27 and March 13 respectively.

Macc draw Foxes in cup

MACCLESFIELD have been draw at home to Leicester in the first round of next season's Carling Cup.

It is a tough draw for the Silkmen, with Leicester comfortable winners of League One last season. The sides have only ever met once before, with the Foxes winning 2-0 in the Carling Cup first round back in 2006.

Evans set for exit

MACCLESFIELD'S Gareth Evans looks set to quit the Moss Rose. Last season's top scorer - one of just three Silkmen pondering contract offers this summer - is on the verge of switching to League Two rivals Lincoln City.

The 21-year-old local boy, rescued from the footballing wilderness two years ago by then-boss Ian Brightwell, hit 13 in the last campaign.

Macclesfield: Season player ratings

M.E.N. Sport's Simon Carter gives his verdict on the Macclesfield players for their performance in the 2008/2009 season.

Pick Greater Manchester's player of the season

TODAY you, the fans, have the chance to select Greater Manchester's player of the season - a competition organised in association with sponsors flybe.com.

Macc suffer crowd slump

MACCLESFIELD Town's poor home form and the loss of a key local derby saw attendances slump by 17% at the Moss Rose.

An average of 1,897 fans attended home matches last season, down on thefigure of 2297 for 2007 / 2008.

Alexander cuts Macc squad

MACCLESFIELD boss Keith Alexander has completed a ruthless cull of his first team squad leaving only six senior players signed up for next season.

As predicted by the M.E.N, 13 players have been shown the exit door, with veteran striker Simon Yeo choosing to retire.

Alexander looks ahead

MACC boss Keith Alexander looked ahead to next season after ending the campaign with a hard-earned point.

He said: "I am delighted the season is over. We've had a reasonable end to the campaign and we knew it would be hard at Grimsby.

"We knew the crowd would get behind them and if we could have taken our chances it might have been different."

Grimsby 0 Macc 0

MACCLESFIELD ended their League Two campaign with a hard-earned point at Grimsby.

With nothing really to play for it was a typical end of season match - although the Silkmen had the best two chances.

Early on a mistake by Mariners defender Ryan Bennett let in top scorer Gareth Evans but Grimsby keeper Wayne Henderson did well to save.

Preview: Grimsby v Macc

KEITH Alexander will hope to boost Macclesfield's points tally to parity with previous seasons when he takes his young side to Grimsby.

A win would see Macclesfield reach 49 points for the campaign, just short of last season's point total of 50 but ahead of the 2007 total of 48.

He said: "I am disappointed to finish in the bottom four or five teams, but the time to judge me will be next Christmas. By then I am hoping to be at least mid-table and able to launch a challenge for the play-offs."

Macclesfield 2 Barnet 1

YOUNG substitute Kristian Dennis grabbed a late winner for Macclesfield against Barnet.

It was the 19-year-old's first senior goal and came in the 82nd minute when Bees keeper Ran Kadoch failed to hold on to a Lee Bell corner.

Macc had taken the lead in the second minute when centre back Nat Brown converted a Bell free-kick with a towering header back across goal for his sixth of the season.

Preview: Macc v Barnet

MACCLESFIELD have little to play for but pride as they take on Barnet at the Moss Rose. However, that quality has been sadly lacking according to manager Keith Alexander.

"Too many players know they are not going to be here next season and too many players have not been playing either for the club or for themselves."

With contract offers on the table to the favoured few and others facing a search for a new club, spirit in the camp is poor.

Macc to axe ten

MACCLESFIELD manager Keith Alexander is preparing to axe up to ten men from a squad that has failed to live up to expectations.

Since the departure of experienced professionals Martin Gritton to Chesterfield for £40,000 and Terry Dunfield to Shrewsbury for £30,000, Macc have been in virtual free- fall, taking only 11 points from 18 games.

Alexander: Changes on the way

MACCLESFIELD boss Keith Alexander was in no mood to celebrate despite the Silkmen secuing their Football League survival on Saturday.

Macc were beaten 3-0 at Bury but Chester's loss against Bournemouth leaves Macc seven points clear of the drop zone with two games left. Alexander said: "We've underachieved this season and it means we have to work doubly hard to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Bury 3 Macclesfield 0

Macclesfield suffered defeat at the hands of Bury but still managed to secure their league status for another season.

Chester’s loss at home to Bournemouth leaves the Silkmen seven points clear of the drop zone with just two games to play.

Preview: Bury v Macc

MACCLESFIELD Town need just one more point to secure survival for a 12th successive season in the Football League.

Even if they lost every game beginning with Bury on Saturday, both Chester and Grimsby would have to win every game to see the Silkmen demoted.

But Keith Alexander is far from confident: "We need to get that extra point just as soon as possible.

Macclesfield 0 Morecambe 1

FORMER Macc manager Sammy McIlroy had the last laugh on his old club after David Artell scored a late winner for Morecambe.

Artell headed home Garry Hunter's corner after 85 minutes to consign Keith Alexander's men to defeat.

Artell had the ball in the net earlier on only for his effort to be disallowed for a foul on Macc keeper Jon Brain, but the Silkmen also had their chances with John Rooney firing over from long range.

Macc eye safety

THIS deserved away win virtually assured Macc a 12th season of League football. But although the win leaves the Silkmen 10 points ahead of their Cheshire rivals, with just four games left, manager Keith Alexander is not about to relax.

He said: "Unless it is mathematically impossible you just don't know, but we needed the points and no one can say we did not deserve to win. It was one of our better displays of recent months.

Chester 0 Macclesfield 2

MACCLESFIELD virtually secured their Football League status for a 12th successive season with a convincing first half display.

The vital three points were set up by 18-year-old budding star John Rooney, who took a leaf out of his elder brother Wayne's book by hooking home a 25-yard volley inside the near post on eight minutes.

Colin Daniel set up the second on 28 minutes, releasing striker Gareth Evans with an inch-perfect pass into the channel for the 21-year-old to lash home his 13th goal of the season from 16 yards.

Preview: Chester v Macc

MACCLESFIELD manager Keith Alexander will be hoping that both striker Francis Green and right-back Izak Reid will be back for the vital fixture at Chester.

Club skipper Sean Hessey is also on the way to recovery and could be ready to face Morecambe on Easter Monday.

Resurgent Chester, seven points behind Macc, are unbeaten in four games, whereas Alexander's men are on a winless six game run.

Rooney making strides

JOHN Rooney produced a moment of magic reminiscent of his elder brother to signal that his time has finally come at the Moss Rose.

On the sidelines throughout the season, the 18-year-old scored in last week's defeat at Dagenham, and against high-flying Chesterfield he thrilled the crowd with a turn and 25- yard shot that crashed off the underside of the bar onto the goal line before a desperate Chesterfield clearance.

Macclesfield 1 Chesterfield 1

MACCLESFIELD manager Keith Alexander hailed his side's battling draw against high-flying Chesterfield as a magnificent point.

It came courtesy of a clincially-taken equaliser from 21-year-old striker Gareth Evans, who bagged his 12th goal of the season when he converteed Ahmed Deen's pin-point cross with an eight-yard header.

Preview: Macc v Chesterfield

MARTIN Gritton returns to his former club Macclesfield when Chesterfield visit Moss Rose.

The striker had mixed fortunes with Macc earlier this season, at one stage going 15 games without scoring before slotting seven in nine outings.

But his presence has been much missed. Since then they have taken only 12 points from 16 games.

Lincoln 1 Macclesfield 0

MACCLESFIELD’S poor run of results continued as they went down to a fifth consecutive defeat.

The Silkmen could not be faulted for their work rate but they were undone by the skill of Lincoln winger Dany N’Guessan.

Preview: Lincoln v Macc

KEITH Alexander goes back to his home town of Lincoln tonight increasingly concerned about Macclesfield's loss of confidence.

Now just nine points off the drop-zone, Macc have lost their last four games and taken only 10 points from the last 42.

But he refuses to link the downturn in form with the sale of experienced players Terry Dunfield and Martin Gritton.

Mixed feelings for Alexander

A FIRST Macc goal from Wayne Rooney's brother John was not enough to give the Silkmen any solace after this narrow defeat - but boss Keith Alexander was not too downbeat.

Macc had led 1-0 at half- time thanks to Rooney's well-worked goal, but were undone in the second period as Paul Benson and Matt Ritchie netted for the hosts.

"I was delighted with the performance from my team as I thought we were the better side so I'm disappointed with the result," said Silkmen boss Keith Alexander.

Dagenham 2 Macc 1

A FIRST goal for the club by John Rooney, brother of England star Wayne, wasn’t enough to prevent the Silkmen slipping to defeat against Dagenham & Redbridge at Victoria Road.

Rooney took advantage of a bad mistake by Mark Arber to open the scoring after 37 minutes, drilling the ball past Tony Roberts.

The home side were back on level terms when leading scorer Paul Benson lobbed home from close range after 71 minutes and with just six minutes remaining Matt Ritchie volleyed a shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Preview: Dagenham v Macc

ON-loan midfielder Colin Daniel comes straight in the equation for Macclesfield's trip to Dagenham and Redbridge.

From a mid-season high point, the Silkmen have now taken just 10 points from their last 13 games.

Macc are still ravaged by injuries with James Jennings, Francis Green, Izak Reid and Sean Hessey among the casualties.

Alexander eyes loan boost

MACCLESFIELD boss Keith Alexander is hoping new loan signing Colin Daniel will help give the Silkmen fresh momentum to take into next season.

Attacking midfielder Daniel, 21, has signed for the rest of the season from Crewe Alexandra.

Alexander bemoans spot kick

THE assistant referee's mysterious decision to award Luton a deciding penalty nearly sent Keith Alexander back to his sick bed.

Alexander returned to action after missing last Saturday to undergo an emergency brain scan but after Tom Craddock's 68th minute spot kick had given the Hatters a precious lifeline to survival, Alexander said: "Decisions like that will see me back in hospital.

Luton 1 Macc 0

ANGRY Macclesfield boss Keith Alexander was mystified at a second half penalty decision that cost the Silkman a precious point against Luton.

He said: "Quite frankly it was a diabolical decision. I don't know why, not one of my players knows why, and I don't think anybody in the ground knows whey he gave a penalty."

Tom Craddock duly converted in the 68th minute - after the award by referee Andy Hall - handing Luton a precious lifeline in their fairytale battle for survival.

Alexander gets thumbs up

MACCLESFIELD boss Keith Alexander has been given the all-clear to return to work after undergoing a brain scan at the weekend.

Alexander, who suffered a brain aneurysm in 2003, complained of feeling unwell before Saturday's home defeat to Bournemouth and was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

Clean bill of health

IT’S BUSINESS as usual for Keith Alexander, despite a health scare that saw him undergo a brain scan on Saturday.

The Macc Town manager spent Saturday afternoon in hospital after being taken ill the night before his side’s home defeat to Bournemouth.

Simmo calls for fans’ cheers, not jeers

MACC Town’s assistant manager Gary Simpson has sent out a message to the disgruntled Moss Rose supporters who are quick to turn on their own players.

While Gary Simpson is well aware that many of this season’s performances have been below-par, particularly at the Moss Rose, ‘Simmo’ has called for support when things aren’t going to plan, especially for the younger Silkmen.

Macc boss OK after scan

KEITH Alexander described himself as a 'bad patient' after spending Saturday afternoon in Macclesfield General Hospital waiting for a brain scan.

Even though fears he was suffering similar symptoms that led to his brain aneurysm in 2003 were flying around his head, his first thoughts were for his team's match with Bournemouth.

The Macc boss said: "First I asked for the teletext to be put on the screen in the waiting room, and then when I was waiting for my consultant I just asked if I could leave and get back to the match.

Macc 0 Bournemouth 2

KEITH Alexander’s precautionary visit to hospital overshadowed Macclesfield’s 2-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.

Alexander, 51, suffered a brain aneurysm in November 2003 which kept him out of the game for six months.

Macclesfield chairman Mike Rance said: "It's purely precautionary but Keith wasn't feeling too well in midweek and he wasn't feeling that great before the game so we decided it was best to take the safest option."

Macc 0 Accrington 2

MACCLESFIELD squandered a golden opportunity to warm the hearts of their disgruntled fans when Accrington Stanley ended an eight-game winless streak with a comfortable 2-0 win.

Playing a long-ball game, the Silkmen looked short on ideas in the middle of the park and toothless up front.

Darlington 1 Macclesfield 2

A CONTROVERSIAL penalty gave Gareth Evans his tenth goal of the season and secured Macclesfield all three points at Darlington.

It was a deserved victory for the visitors who took revenge for the 6-0 defeat they suffered to Quakers back in August.

Since then, Darlington have gone into administration and only three of the players who played in that game were in Dave Penney's starting line-up.

Preview: Macc v Bournemouth

KEITH Alexander has turned into a couch potato in his efforts to unravel the mystery of Macclesfield's wretched home form.

"I watched a video 10 times before the weekend of our home performances and we are just not performing in front of our own fans," he said after the 2-0 home defeat to struggling Accrington on Tuesday.

Next up Macc host Bournemouth and would probably prefer to play anywhere rather than in front of the increasingly frustrated Moss Rose crowd.

Preview: Macc v Accrington

MACCLESFIELD boss Keith Alexander knows his top young players could be on their way out of the club in the summer.

Gareth Evans, who made it 11 goals this season with his double strike in Saturday's 2-1 win at Darlington, and defenders Izak Reid and Shaun Brisley are likely to attract interest.

"We want our young players to be able to play at as high a level as possible, but whether they succeed is up to them," said Alexander, whose side host Accrington tonight.

Brave Macc survive a Brain storm

KEITH Alexander watched in horror as his inconsistent Silkmen nearly threw away vital points in the 2-1 win at Darlington.

A high cross into the Macc penalty area should have provided Jon Brain with a simple catch. But he dropped the ball after colliding with team-mate Sean Hessey allowing David Poole to put the Quakers level.

"Shocking, we've conceded too many like that," said the Macc boss. "It was a ridiculous goal. It's something we need to work on."

Preview: Darlington v Macc

NEW Macclesfield loan signing Kyle Fraser Allen has to make do with a place on the bench for the trip to Darlington.

The 19-year-old winger, who has signed on an initial one-month loan from Spurs, has made two 20 minute substitute appearances but is still short of match fitness.

In an attempt to boost his strength, Macclesfield boss Keith Alexander played him in the reserve fixture against Shrewsbury on Wednesday night, meaning he can only figure from the bench for the visit to Darlington. Meanwhile, Alexander is keen to get Francis Green back in his starting line-up, but the 27-year-old has a sore knee and is again unlikely to travel.

Bradford 1 Macclesfield 0

Macclesfield Town weathered the storm at Valley Parade but were finally undone by a single thunderbolt from Dean Foreman.

Promotion-chasing Bradford created a string of chances but could only muster a solitary goal as the midfielder blasted home from the edge of the box on the hour.