THE FACT that this game is taking place on Monday evening means that I have been able to take the group away to Lilleshall for the weekend where we are taking part in team-bonding activities as well as training.

It gives us the opportunity to get away from it all and prepare for what is an important game in the right way. This is a key date in the football calendar and whilst the extra finances of a good Cup run would be gratefully received by the club, I see it as the chance for us to progress and ultimately test ourselves against clubs from higher levels.

To be able to do that we must firstly overcome the challenge of Macclesfield Town. I have seen them in action on several occasions myself, whilst all the reports that I have got back on them seem to suggest that they have been unlucky in recent games.

With a new manager at the helm, the players will be on the front-foot and there is sure to be a swell of optimism around the place. Macclesfield will be looking forward to the game and will see it as a break from the stresses and strains of League action, so it's going to be a tough assignment for us.

The presence of the live TV cameras will mean that my players get the exposure that they deserve. We seem to have crept under the radar a bit so far this season, which isn't such a bad thing, but we are looking forward to the occasion and giving a good account of ourselves.

As ever, we will need your total backing and support. We have taken some impressive away followings around the country this season and I will look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at Moss Rose to hopefully cheer us into the next round of this wonderful competition.

RICHARD MONEY