Danny Elliott’s free-kick earned the Silkmen a 1-0 victory over Harborough Town at the Leasing.com Stadium on Saturday afternoon as John Rooney’s men moved up to second in the Enterprise National League North.
Elliott delivered the key moment with a strike from distance in the first-half, securing three points for the Silkmen on a sun-kissed day in East Cheshire.
Macc had an opportunity inside six minutes when positive build-up play saw Theo Chapman set Ammar Dyer free down the left, who drove into a dangerous position to strike a low effort which forced a good save from goalkeeper Elliott Taylor.
Harborough went close four minutes later as Alex Morris struck left-footed through a crowd which crept just past Christian Dibble’s right-post.
Elliot Osborne, on the scoresheet in last weekend’s 2-1 victory away at Redcar Athletic, nearly added to his Silkmen collection after meeting Dyer’s cross at the near post, but struck his attempt wide.
A ball over the top almost led to Harborough’s opener, as Britt Assombalonga raced through, however his effort across goal from a tight angle hit the base of Dibble’s left-post and bounced to safety.
The Silkmen were ahead on 20 minutes after Elliott’s left-footed free-kick from 25-yards beat the wall and bounced in front of Taylor before finding the bottom right-corner.
Midway through the half, Sam Heathcote tried his luck from 30-yards, but his ambitious effort from distance fizzed over Taylor’s left-upright and into the WRS Star Lane End terrace.
Towards half-time, play dropped to Josh Walsh on the edge of the Silkmen box, but his dipping volley was held by Dibble.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, returning to the starting line-up after suspension, was well-positioned to produce an excellent tackle to thwart Callum Powell’s cross into the box. The resulting corner was cleared by the Macc defence.
In first-half added time, Luke Duffy’s low strike following a swift breakaway was kept out by Taylor, as the Silkmen went into the break ahead.
In the opening stages of the second-half, Dyer beat his man to cross into the box looking for Elliott, which Harborough cleared.
The game was then paused four minutes into the half after Borthwick-Jackson received treatment after an injury, the defender was able to continue.
Aiming to increase their lead, Paul Dawson’s free-kick found Duffy on the left, who delivered a low cross for Elliott who turned over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.
The Silkmen survived a scare when Devon Kelly-Evans’ snapshot landed just wide of Dibble’s left-post.
Buoyed by his opening goal, Elliott stepped up to strike another left-footed free-kick which bent past Taylor’s post.
Rooney made his first two changes of the game on the hour, with Matty Apter and Jon Ustabasi replacing Dawson and Theo Chapman.
Minutes after coming on, Apter nearly had his first goal in Silkmen colours, seeing a first-time strike from a pullback kept out by Taylor.
On 70 minutes, Dibble superbly denied Assombalonga with a double stop from inside the six-yard box to keep the Silkmen in the lead.
Josh Kay was introduced by Rooney two minutes later, coming on for goalscorer Elliott to make his first appearance of the season.
In the final 10 minutes, Harborough missed a chance to level after Rory McAuley flicked a cross over Dibble’s crossbar before Dempsey Arlott-John’s half-volley went over.
Macc navigated the five minutes of additional time to return to winning ways in the sixth-tier and move to within two points of league leaders Hereford.
The Silkmen are back at the Leasing.com Stadium next Saturday when Scarborough Athletic visit in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth-Round Qualifying, kick-off 3pm. Purchase your tickets by clicking here.
MOTM: Danny Elliott
Attendance: 2,831
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