The Blues face off with second placed and in form Sedgely Tigers this weekend, in a game that could have huge impact on the race for the title. Macc currently sit 17 clear at the summit of National Two North and know a win would all but confirm their place in National One next season, but a loss could blow the race back open.
“It’s the next two games that really count, particularly this weekend. We have to get the job done. We know mathematically where we stand and so do Sedgely. Everybody knows that if we win it, its firmly in our hands. If we were to not, Sedgely are going to be right on us.”
“A loss would put a bit of pressure onto us, but we have got some tough games coming up, we still have Chester, Sale and Stourbridge to play. But we wont worry about them just yet, its all about this Saturday.”
The Tigers remain the only team to beat Macclesfield at Priory Park this season, but Heagerty refuses to let his players to get hung up on seeking revenge.
“The manner of that performance is something we talk a lot about, but if you start worrying about revenge it can have a negative impact, it’s a big game and there’s lots of rivalry, there’s potentially a lot hanging on it, but this is the game where the big players step up. We’ve deliberately rested some people last week so we have everyone as fresh as we can going into this weekend.”
Skipper, Mike Finnemore was amongst those rested by Heagerty, and the Head Coach feels his captain will be raring to go by the weekend.
“I dread to think what Mike might do, he’s had a week off, to get himself firing, its fortuitous that we could get him a week off, because he certainly needed one. Mike is a consummate professional, he’ll be ready to go and he’s due a big game, this is the environment he wants to be in.”
Heagerty said he is mostly happy with the way the season has gone so far, but admitted it hasn’t all gone to plan for the league’s top side.
“Top of the league, nine in a row, scored a lot of points, and we’ve played some very good rugby at times. We’ve been a little inconsistent though, and that’s frustrating but that’s because I’m a perfectionist and I want us to always be getting better. I would have preferred for the weather not to have as much of an effect a it has done, but that’s the way it goes.”
Macclesfield’s planned re-developments of the club, include an all-weather ‘3G’ surface, something Heagerty feels can only be a positive influence on not just the club.
“The developments will be great for the club and community, none of the teams will lose a game to weather, from the first team down to the under 6s. Parents wont have to wash as much muddy kit anymore either, although their car boots may be filled with rubber crumb. It’s a guaranteed revenue stream too. Hopefully we can play some decent rugby, having a flat true track like that will hopefully allow us to do some real damage.”
The club will be running a supporter’s coach for the huge game at Sedgely Park, the details are as follows:
Brunch and Bus to Sedgley Park
12.00 at the Club for Full English Breakfast
1.00 pm depart to Sedgley Park for 2.30 kick off
£15.00, contact Jonathan Marsh at the Club on: 01625827899
