The Silkmen were held to a one all draw by Leek Town at the F.Ball Community Stadium on Tuesday evening, with Macc’s goal coming courtesy of Theo Chapman.
John Rooney named a side for each half as per our previous two pre-season outings against Hyde United and Cheadle Town. Christian Dibble, Luke Matheson, Luis Lacey, Elliot Osborne, Paul Dawson, Jon Ustabasi and Theo Chapman were all included from the off alongside four trialists.
Macc began the evening the brighter of the two sides with half chances arising for Paul Dawson and Jon Ustabasi, the former of which trying his luck from range before the latter attempted to convert with a first time effort from a driven cross, though neither of whom were able to hit the target inside ten minutes.
Theo Chapman appeared to be the most prominent goal threat in the first half, playing down the middle for the Silkmen from minute one, and wasn’t short of service, though despite having two healthy opportunities, wasn’t able to find the back of the net, instead clipping the post with his first attempt before firing wide with his second.
Leek’s first effort on goal came in the form of a set piece as a free kick was swung somewhat unexpectedly around the outside of the Macc wall, though goalkeeper Christian Dibble had the attempt covered comfortably.
It wasn’t long after that the deadlock was broken by front man for the evening Chapman, who was teed up by trialist wearing number 8, recovering the ball effectively inside the Leek area before cutting back for Theo to sweep home his first goal for the Silkmen on the 18th minute mark.
Chapman almost added his and Macc’s second moments later, when he was played in on goal once more, though smashing his effort against the crossbar, keeping the score at 1-0 for the time being.
Theo and trialist wearing 8 had combined well in the opening stages and did so again on the half hour mark, as the latter looked to round the Leek goalkeeper, though a well-timed outstretched hand prevented him from doing so to keep difference to one.
At the other end, Dibble was called in to action once more, getting a strong left hand to a low drive bound for the bottom corner, though was unable to keep out the resulting corner, from which Leek’s number 9 rose highest to head home and level proceedings just before the break.
The sides returned to the dressing rooms on an even keel, with both teams rotating their squads for the second half in search of a decisive goal. Dibble was the only man to retain his place for the second half with Luke Duffy, Ammar Dyer, Lincoln McFayden, Carlos Dos Santos, George Wilson, Sam Heathcote and Fin Shrimpton starting the second half along with a further three trialists.
It was the hosts who started the second half the brighter, finding the net inside four minutes of the restart, though it was ruled out for a clear offside in the build-up to the first major action of the second period.
Luke Duffy saw a tame effort held by Leek’s replacement goalkeeper before Dibble denied Leek a second at the opposite end with an outstretched boot.
The Macc goal remained under threat for the following few minutes as Leek’s number two was found in space at the back post, though could only place his first time volley wide of Dibble’s near post.
Shot-stopper Dibble was replaced with ten minutes left on the clock, allowing for a trialist to make a positive impression in the closing stages. Luke Duffy was also withdrawn a moment or two later with Luis Lacey reintroduced for the final period.
Fin Shrimpton came closest to making the difference with a few minutes to play, though was denied well by Leek’s number one. Macc were unable to convert the resulting corner, which proved to be the last significant moment of the game with the evening brought to a close by the referee’s whistle with the score level.
MOTM: George Wilson
Attendance: 425
