MATCH REPORT: ILKESTON TOWN (H)

18 Feb 2024 | Latest News, Match Report

John Rooney scored a hat trick to secure all three points for Alex Bruce’s side.

Rooney’s goal in the 88th minute cemented the victory when he turned quickly and hit the ball into the bottom left corner.

The 33-year-old scored his first just before halftime after he received the ball from Bohan Dixon and calmly slotted it beyond the keepers reach.

He scored the other from the penalty spot in the 77th minute after Sam Heathcote was brought down in the box.

Rooney smashed the ball down the middle sending Matt Yates the wrong way.

Tunde Owolabi caused chaos upfront scoring two with his first coming as the opener in the sixth minute when he charged into the box and struck the ball into the right side of the net.

The forward scored his second in the 85th minute to put the Silkmen in front by dribbling around the goalkeeper and putting the ball into an empty goal.

Tom Cursons scored in the 8th minute to equalise early in the first half when he received the ball from a corner and poked the ball into the goal.

Declan Eratt-Thompson sent a cross from the left to Jonathan Wafula who scored to put the away side ahead in the 19th minute.

Thomas Marshall put away an incredible free kick from far out in the 54th minute which went way beyond Dylan Berry’s reach.

Owolabi had two goals ruled out in the opening ten minutes for offside which added to the intense atmosphere throughout the game.

Yates was forced into action with an unbelievable double save after Lewis Fensome’s header was pushed away and fell to Owolabi who was denied inside the six-yard box.

Heathcote came close to grabbing a goal when Kane Drummond shot wide, but he was unable to tap it into the net at full stretch.

Owolabi also hit the post from close range and had an effort cleared off the line by Marshall.

This result moves Macclesfield into fifth with two games in hand over fourth placed Marine.

By Samual Gooch

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