The Silkmen secured victory with a 2-1 win in the penultimate pre-season fixture at home to Barwell on Saturday afternoon in front of 307 supporters thanks to a Justin Johnson double either side of the break.
Barwell, who were a stand in opponent in place of TNS, cancelling due to European commitments, offered a good test for Macc as the National League North season fast approaches.
Three trialists took their place on the Silkmen’s teamsheet, two starting and one from the bench, along with new signing Luke Matheson, making his named debut having signed on the dotted line earlier in the day.
The step 3 opponents stood strong in the opening stages, despite a continual threat from the home side, notably via Sean Etaluku, who posed as Macc’s main outlet throughout the afternoon from the right flank.
It was Justin Johnson though on the opposite wing who found an opening on the half an hour mark, jinking his way through the Barwell defence, cutting inside before letting fly just inside the area, beating the ‘keeper all ends up as the ball curled beyond him in to the far top corner.
Max Dearnley smartly prevented Zayn Hakeem from levelling for Barwell just before the break, who was a physical vocal point for the visitors throughout the day.
There was a physical nature to the game, neither side shy of making a strong challenge, preparing both sides well for a tough season ahead.
The Silkmen were one goal to the good at the break, and looked to assert their dominance further in the second 45.
Three changes were made at the interval, with skipper Dawson, debutant Matheson and a trialist took the places of Rollin Menayese, Dos Santos and another trialist.
Macc and Johnson doubled their lead and his tally respectively soon after the restart after a piece of individual brilliance from JJ, beating three of the Barwell back line with a neat run of skill before firing beyond the ‘keeper at his near post.
The Silkmen were pegged back though by Barwell substitute Amarvir Sandhu, who poked beyond Dearnley from the edge of the area, just minutes after entering the action.
Sandhu nearly levelled things up moments later, firing just over with a first time effort following a low cross from the right wing.
A further three changes were made on the hour mark with Whitehouse, Buckley-Ricketts & Etaluku making way for D’Mani Mellor, Danny Elliott & Luke Duffy respectively.
Sam Heathcote & Danny Whitehead also entered the fray ten minutes later, replacing Lewis Fensome & Regan Griffiths.
Shouts of handball soon followed as Luke Matheson’s cross appeared to be deflected away by an outstretched hand in a red shirt, but wasn’t given and Luke Duffy sliced the loose ball just over from the edge of the area.
Skipper Paul Dawson almost added a third for Macc as JJ’s teasing cross was headed downwards by Dawson but eventually bounced just over the bar.
Last season’s top scorer Danny Elliott also had a couple of opportunities to make it three late on but narrowly directed the first attempt wide and saw his second curling effort denied well by Osborn between the Barwell posts.
A Derby County XI remains for the Silkmen to face ahead of the season’s opener at home to Worksop on Saturday 9th August.
