The Silkmen were well beaten by an efficient AFC Fylde side at Mill Farm on Tuesday evening.
Macc were back at what would be considered full strength following squad rotation in the previous two games in the Isuzu FA Trophy and Cheshire Senior Cup prior to Saturday’s postponement at Kings Lynn Town.
Despite this, they were quickly chasing the game with James Edmondson being shown the first yellow card of the evening after just three minutes, whilst Max Dearnley was called upon by Luke Hunter and George Wilson early on as Fylde’s dominance began to show.
It seemed almost a matter of time before the hosts went in front. They did just that after 19 minutes, as Danny Ormerod nodded them in to the lead from close range.
Paul Dawson took his frustration from going behind out on Tom Whelan, also earning him a caution just before the half hour mark.
Danny Elliott was the focal point for Macc as per most weeks, looking to cause the Fylde defence problems, but was nullified in the most part by centre half pairing Corey Whelan and Ethan Mitchell.
Ormerod was at the centre of the action for the Coasters once more as he looked to add his and Fylde’s second, but Dearnley was able to prevent his tame effort, as he was from Healy-Byrne moments later.
The Silkmen were thrown a lifeline when Luke Duffy appeared to be wiped out by Fylde shot stopper Zac Jones, though after referee Robert Claussen had consulted his assistants Daniel Sims and Jon Ashworth-Sears in person and over comms, the decision was overturned and Macc were denied the chance to pull level on the brink of the break.
After an action packed first 45 minutes which had seen Macc largely under the cosh, albeit unlucky not to have levelled from the spot moments before the whistle, Macc were still in with a shout as the teams took to the dressing rooms.
Two substitutions were made at the interval, which saw new loan signing Jack Rogers make his debut from the bench, alongside Max Woltman, who replaced Luke Duffy and Justin Johnson respectively.
The tactical changes didn’t work out as Manager John Rooney would’ve liked as the Silkmen quickly conceded a second through Luke Hunter, with the home side flying out of the traps as they did at the beginning of the night.
A further change was made minutes later with Lewis Fensome withdrawn as a precaution having fell awkwardly in the build up to Fylde’s second goal. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts took his place at right wing back as Macc went more attacking in a bid to get back in to the game.
They were able to do so ten minutes later as the Silkmen were awarded a second spot kick, this time not overturned, allowing Danny Elliott to slam home from twelve yards, taking his tally for the season to ten and halving the deficit with twenty minutes to play.
With their tails up, Macc unfortunately found themselves vulnerable to conceding once more, which Fylde took full advantage of, as James Edmondson was judged to have tripped a man in white just inside the area. Danny Ormerod converted from the spot to grab his second and the Coasters’ third.
Two final changes were made in the aftermath of Fylde’s penalty, which saw Luis Lacey and James Edmondson replaced by Regan Griffiths and Ethan McLeod.
Fylde thought they had a fourth just three minutes later with the net rippling, though a foul was given in Max Dearnley’s favour as the hosts bundled the ball over the line.
Max needed to have his wits about him once more as Ormerod went in search of a hat-trick directly from a dangerous free kick, though Dearnley was able to tip over as it rapidly descended once over the makeshift wall.
Macc were reduced to ten for the final two minutes of regulation time and the six minutes added after Paul Dawson was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge, only making matters worse as George Wilson got the last touch on a fourth as the clock struck 90 minutes.
Insult was added to injury midway through stoppage time as Jon Ustabasi added a fifth, rounding Dearnley and rounding off the contest, confirming the Silkmen’s heaviest defeat of the season to date.
Attendance: 1,036
