1-0, correct goalscorer and plenty of rain...A day out in Macclesfield

Just 12 weeks after our relegation back to League Two had been confirmed at Peterborough, the new season was here again and many things had changed. Greeny and Romain had both left for pastures new, Robbo had retired while we had several new players and a new home kit to enjoy.
For me though one thing had stayed the same. Despite rumours to the contrary I was back in the press box for our opening day trip to Macclesfield and as well as my usual companion Emerson, this time I was joined by his older brothers Rees and Ryan, who are spending the summer with me.
The journey up was an absolute nightmare. The driving rain clearly did not help but it seemed everyone and his mother was on the English motorway network and most, it seemed, only wanted to drive at 50mph! Not ideal when you are running late to begin with...
We eventually arrived in Macclesfield to find the match had already kicked off. With all the turnstiles now shut we walked into reception and were led through the executive suite to the ticket office. The woman in charge was a rather unpleasant individual who seemed determined to make life as difficult as possible for us. After waiting for around ten minutes she finally returned with my press pass and we were told to walk half way back around the ground to the 'Late Gate'. Once there we were told we were not allowed in and had to go back to reception! After explaining that we had just been sent from there in the first place, and we were of course missing the game, we were eventually allowed in, although the older lads had to pay and decided to sit in the away end to 'sample the atmosphere.'
The press box was at the back of the Main Stand, opposite the away end, and was a very cramped. By the time we had settled down it was nearly half time but thankfully it appeared we had not missed too much, as the game had been largely uneventful up to that point.

The view from the press box

I had the pleasure of siting next to the guy who was working for the Press Association and what an eye opener that turned out to be! He spent the whole game on his mobile phone going through every piece of action as it happened...'Ball played out of defence by the Macclesfield No. 4, left footed into the inside right channel...' This went on for the entire match and became rather tiresome after a while. And I thought Alan Greene was annoying...
Half time at least brought us some relief, as well as a nice cup of coffee and a sandwich, while I used the time to catch up on exactly what I had missed. This basically amounted to a shot from Luke Howell that was easily saved  by the home keeper and a Jon Nurse effort that went wide. Oh and a great save from Chris Lewington which we had just caught as we walked into the ground.
The second half began, and to a backdrop of the PA guys dulcet tones, we looked to be playing rather better. New boys Howell and Sam Williams were looking good and it wasn't long before we took the lead. Gav Tomlin whipped in a great free kick from the left and Arbs rose to head it goalwards at the back post. The ball looked to be looping in but Medy Elito and Williams both arrived to bundle the ball home from virtually right on the line. Arbs wheeled away in celebration while Elito was also getting some congratulations so it was unclear exactly who had scored.
With a low roof and a CCTV camera blocking our view the PA guy had been unsighted and asked me who had scored. I was sure it was Elito so, without thinking of the consequences, that is what I told him. Within seconds he had immediately released that information to the BBC and Sky while the stadium announcer also gave the scorer as Elito on his/my say so! It led to some debate in the press box as a local reporter seemed to think Williams had got the final touch while others thought it was Arbs goal. Shit, what if I had got it wrong??  Oh well it was too late now...
Back on the pitch and it was developing into an exciting game with chances at both ends. Lewi was having a blinder in goal for us and made two terrific saves to keep us in front, while their keeper also did well to save a close range Scott Doe header.
But the games biggest talking point occurred with just over ten minutes left. A mistake at the back by Arbs forced Lewington to race off his line and block efforts from first Emile Sinclair and then Rob Draper. The referee, on the advice of his assistant on the near side, decided he had handled outside the area and produced a red card, much to the anger of the lads in green and everyone in the away end opposite us.
Our view seemed to suggest the officials had indeed got it right and it did at least give James Shea the chance to make his debut. Emerson was particularly excited about this as he had gone about us signing an Arsenal goalkeeper for the last few weeks...
The final ten minutes was quiet exciting as Macclesfield threw everything at us, but we defended well to seal a great opening day away win. Meanwhile the PA guy was still on his mobile and was now marking the players out of 10. Most of the Macclesfield players were getting 5's and 6's (harsh I thought) while several of ours were getting 7's. Arber was given a top mark of 8 while Lewington only managed a 6 despite his earlier heroics. I could not let that go and told him that surely he deserved at least a 7, and thankfully he saw sense and changed it! But then came the really interesting bit. The guy was asked about the possession and with nothing more than his eyesight to go on he said, and I quote, ''Lets call it 60-40 in Macclesfield's favour!'' Really?? So next time you see the possession stats in the paper or on TV remember that it not done by any scientific method, it is just made up by a fella in the stand!

Our players walk off after a great away win

After the game came the usual round of interviews and first up was the great man himself, John Still. He was overjoyed with the result and the performance, especially baring in mind the injuries we had been suffering. He said Shea had been carrying a knock and should not even have been on the bench while Nursey was also injured and would not have played had others been fit. He also hinted at some changes for the Carling Cup tie at Bournemouth on Tuesday evening. As we were walking back to the changing room area he asked us about our journey as they had left at 9am and not arrived until 1. I said we had encountered similar problems and had missed the kick off!
With the rain making a comeback we decided to make our way out of the players entrance to meet Rees and Ryan, who were waiting for us looking rather wet! We hung around for a bit as Emerson wanted to have his picture taken with Shea but as he failed to appear Nursey was only too happy to do the honours, saying he was looking forward to his chicken pizza on the journey home!

Nursey with his new best mate

With that we set off to McDonalds to reflect on a good start to the season while I was left wondering if I had got the goalscorer right. After apologising to Arbs on Twitter that night for taking his goal off him I later discovered, via The Football League Show, that I had in fact been right all along and yes, it was Elito's goal! To say I was relieved was an understatement...you guys don't realise the pressures I have in my job!
So, after 12 short weeks away, football is back and boy have we missed it! Next up for me is a trip to Bradford in two weeks, riots permitting of course!