By Jacob Greenwood

A 93rd-minute Giuseppe Sole header ensured Woking maintained an unbeaten start to the season at home to Dartford on Tuesday evening.

Despite the late equaliser, Cards manager Garry Hill expressed his disappointed at Woking’s performance and is hoping his frontline can make more of an impact when they welcome Macclesfield Town to Kingfield on Saturday.

The Silkmen have won both of their opening fixtures and will be hoping to continue their good start at Kingfield.

We talked to Macclesfield fan Ian Stewart to find out what Woking can expect on Saturday.

Q1. Can you tell us what has happened at MTFC over the summer. I know there was a concern about the club’s finances, how has this been resolved and has it effected the playing squad?

There had been strong talk of a takeover at The Moss Rose, but this ended when our debts were cleared by our owner shortly before the Conference AGM,

Alkadhi stayed on, but the budget that John Askey had been given for the season is said to be more tighter than last season’s.

Alkadhi has promised more funds mid-season if Macclesfield are in serious threat of relegation, hopefully there won’t be any need for that, it’s a testament

to the ability of John Askey that he’s created a squad in time for the season to start.

The club is still cutting costs, but at least there’s a bit more clarity now, and hopefully performances on the pitch will provide a positive. It’s worked so far

with two out of two wins, but there’s no reason for complacency whatsoever, in more ways than one.

Q2. It was a disappointing season for The Silkmen last season. With that in mind, is the objective just to consolidate and stay in the league this season?

I wouldn’t call it a disappointing season after the start to it. Once the form and morale was found, Macclesfield were not too far off the playoffs, but it

was incredibly tight. And given the resources Askey had then, he did an excellent job to secure Macclesfield’s future in the Conference.

This season, with an even tighter budget, means Askey and Macclesfield are sure to be up against it again, but with a mixture of promising youth and

experience, hopefully we’ve found the balance to have a good run, but the reality of our budget means that survival is the main target, and if that is achieved,

then I’d regard it as a good season.

 

Q3. MTFC have won six points from their first two fixtures, how impressed have you been so far?

Impressed so far, but of course it’s only two games in. Yet our start has surprised a few, and there’s plenty of optimism around after impressive performances

against Braintree and Telford. But against more tougher opposition throughout the season, it’s going to be hard to keep up the momentum, but there’s no reason

to rule anything out. There are always surprises in the Conference involving clubs on small resources doing well in the league.

Q4. Who will Woking have to look out for on Saturday?

The pace of Adriano Moke down the wing will provide problems, it has worked well so far. The central midfield of captain Paul Turnbull and Danny Whitaker

provides great experience and is sure to play their part on Saturday. Waide Fairhurst has returned, and got two goals on Tuesday away at Telford, and with

that boost in confidence, there’s hope he can provide more, starting on Saturday.

Q5. What is your score prediction?

Don’t like doing predictions, but there’s no doubt at all that Woking is a tough trip. Both occassions away have provided goals and victories for

Woking. However, with our start to the season, there’s certainly confidence in the squad and no reason to rule out a win for Macclesfield, however

I’ll play it safe, and predict a draw. 2-2.

Photos by David Holmes. A full set can be found at wokingfc.co.uk