Barrow v Macclesfield Town
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Second Round Proper
7.45pm, Tuesday 18 December 2012
Holker Street, Barrow FC
Winning clubs receive £27,000 from The FA's prize fund
Click here for fixtures
By David Byrom

Macclesfield Town Chief Executive Jon Harris is hopeful that it will be third time lucky in his club's attempts to play Barrow in The FA Cup Second Round.

The game has previously been postponed twice due to a frozen pitch at Barrow's Holker Street ground, but Harris is confident that the game will be played this time.

He said: "The weather is warmer than it was a couple of weeks ago.

"There's a battle against the elements, and we're in the lap of the gods, but I'm confident that the game will go ahead."

The two sides go into the tie knowing a victory will mean they host Cardiff City in the Third Round, something Harris feels will encourage both Conference Premier clubs to play attacking football.

He said: "One of the advantages after the postponement is knowing who you'll face in the next round, and this is a carrot at the end of the stick.

"Both sides would relish the chance to host the best side outside of the Premier League in front of a packed ground.

"There's no question about it, the game is massive."

Barrow currently sit bottom of the Conference Premier, 15 places below Macclesfield and have beaten Tamworth and Guiseley to get this far.

The Silkmen have beaten Marine and Swindon and Harris is backing his side to get the victory.

"We're unbeaten in three games now and we tend to play better away from home," added Harris.

"There's a confidence around the place now, and the team know they're capable of getting into the Third Round.

"The team will be going into the game in a positive mindset, which is something you need to do at this stage of the competition."