The Silkmen’s excellent run of form consisting of four consecutive victories came to a disappointing end on Easter Monday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Chester at the Leasing.com Stadium
John Rooney made one change from the side that emphatically succeeded away at Buxton on Good Friday as Josh Kay replaced Isaac Buckley-Ricketts in the starting line-up, with the latter taking the former’s place on the bench.
It was an end to end beginning to affairs at the Leasing.com Stadium with half chances for both teams inside the opening fifteen minutes, with James Gale and Luke Duffy each having attempts stopped by Chester goalkeeper Bobby Jones.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson required treatment on two occasions during the first half, causing concern on the Macc bench, though the centre halve powered through and was able to complete the first half.
Sandwiched between Borthwick-Jackson’s treatments was the opening goal which came as a result of a mix-up at the back, which Dylan Mottley-Henry capitalised from, prodding the ball beyond Ravenhill who came racing off the line in an attempt to clear the danger, with the ball instead ending up in the back of the Macc net after 26 minutes,
Luke Duffy saw a sizeable opportunity blocked on the line as he got an important touch on a corner dropped in the area by Jones, though Chester survived the scare late on in the half.
Josh Kay led appeals for a penalty just before the break as he looked to be dragged to the floor inside the area, though referee Joe Moss waved away the Silkmen’s protests.
Five minutes were added on prior to the interval though neither side could make any difference to the scoreline before they were directed to their respective dressing rooms.
Three changes were made by Rooney before the restart as Rollin Menayese, Anjola Popoola and Kacper Pasiek took the places of Sam Heathcote, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Luis Lacey.
The substitutes looked to make an instant impact on the game with Pasiek making good progress down the left, but denied by Jones before Popoola effectively fed Gale in behind, though was halted by the offside flag.
Captain Paul Dawson came closest to an equaliser on the hour mark, letting fly with a powerful volley which was well blocked by Tom Davies, preventing an almost certain goal with Jones rooted to the spot.
A fourth change was made by the Macc Manager on the 65th minute as Isaac Buckley-Ricketts replaced James Gale at the top end of the pitch.
The most recent substitute almost instantly had an opportunity to draw level, though his tame effort was comfortable for Jones at his near post.
It was eight minutes from time though that the visitors put the result beyond doubt, despite a relatively quiet second period, as Jack Bainbridge rose highest to meet a cross from the right wing to give Chester the bragging rights for the second time this season.
One final change was made by Rooney in the aftermath of the The Seals’ second goal as Theo Chapman replaced Elliot Osborne in an attempt to get back in to the game late on, though it wasn’t to be.
A third was almost added as Chester substitutes Tom Peers and Fin Roberts combined with the former dinking over Ravenhill with the latter in hot pursuit though could only nod back off the post from point blank range, unable to find the empty net.
Luke Duffy and Anjola Popoola each had slim chances to pull one back a couple of minutes from the end of regulation time, though neither could convert their respective efforts.
Five minutes were added at the end of the 90, midway through which Popoola squandered a further chance to give the Silkmen hope, firing over under pressure from the on-rushing Jones.
Play was eventually halted by Moss to signal defeat for the Silkmen, though with five games to play of the Enterprise National League North season, it is all still very much to play for.
Macc travel to South Wales next as they face Merthyr Town on Saturday afternoon at Penydarren Park. Tickets for the fixture are available here:
Attendance: 4,474
MOTM: Luke Matheson
