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Macc aim to cause upset

27/ 8/2008

MACC make the journey south to Premiership West Ham today (Wed) looking to cause a cup upset.

Alan Curbishley’s Hammers opened their season with a victory against Wigan, but were well beaten by Manchester City last time out.

They are not short of firepower with Dean Ashton, Craig Bellamy, Carlton Cole, Luis Boa Morte and Freddie Sears in the ranks, but Curbishley may field a weaker side as the Londoners look to turn their league form around.

The teams met in the third round of the FA Cup in 2002, but Macc were defeated 3-0, when Jermaine Defoe hit two and Joe Cole the third for the Hammers.

LAST season's play-off semi-finalists Darlington have stuttered in their bid to achieve higher this time around. Darlo have two draws, against Exeter and Notts County, and a defeat to Gillingham in their opening three games.

Both encounters between the teams ended in draws last season, with a gaolless draw at the Moss Rose and four goals being shared in the north east clash.

Feeling the loss of goalkeeper David Stockdale and striker Tommy Wright, to Fulham and Aberdeen respectively, the Quakers have signed Liechtenstein international Franz Burgmeier, who was released by Swiss side FC Basel at the end of last season.

Splendidly-named former Bolton goalkeeper Przemyslaw Kazimierczak joined in the summer, as did former Stockport pair Adam Proudlock (who scored in a County win at Macc last season) and Adam Griffin.

Striker Pawel Abbott, who joined for a six-figure sum a year ago, is still out injured.