The Silkmen stopped league leaders South Shields as they issued the Mariners their first defeat of the Enterprise National League North season on Saturday afternoon at the Leasing.com Stadium
Three changes were made to the side that dealt a further blow to struggling Leamington on Tuesday evening with D’Mani Mellor, Danny Whitehead and Josh Kay returning to the side, the latter of which from suspension.
The Silkmen started brightly as they did on Tuesday with Danny Elliott calling Shields keeper Jasper Sheik in to action to claim a low cross early on. Similarly, Max Dearnley was alert to a cut back from Paul Blackett, and was able to comfortably gather.
Robbie Tinkler was next to make inroads for the visitors as the man with the armband drove forward before having an attempt on goal, but again his dipping effort was simple for Dearnley.
The possession was in favour of South Shields for the opening stages with their pressure telling through Dan Ward, whose cut back required evasive action from Rollin Menayese in the form of a composed foot on the ball, which was enough to diffuse the danger.
Again, it was the boys from the North East who kept bringing the heat to the Silkmen defence, Caden Kelly was next to create enough space to get a shot off, though Dearnley was on hand once more to gather.
Danny Elliott almost produced a spectacular opener on the half an hour mark, catching a half-volley sweetly from distance following a knock down, forcing a back-pedalling Sheik to tip round the post to ensure the ball didn’t drop in behind him.
Justin Johnson looked to continue his equally great run of form in front of goal, jinking his way through the Mariners backline but didn’t get the desired connection on his attempt, making it easy pickings for Sheik.
It was on the brink of half time that difference was made with Josh Kay beating the offside trap before seeing his curling effort blocked on the line. A goalmouth scramble ensued from which the Silkmen came out on top as Danny Elliott forced the ball home on the turn from close range.
Elliott’s goal was the only difference between the otherwise evenly matched sides but the Silkmen were one to the good on the scoreline.
Elliott almost found himself in on goal again just after the restart, but was halted by the offside flag. Shields came out of the traps flying too as they hunted down an equaliser, with Blackett and Ward being the outlets looked to most often for hope, though were held at bay by the Silkmen defence.
A fingertip save from Max Dearnley was needed just moments in to the second half to keep out a Blackett effort on the spin though as the stakes increased and the clock ticked.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts replaced Justin Johnson just before the hour mark as the Silkmen looked to double their lead before Dearnley was quick off his line to prevent Blackett from bearing down on goal, though play was halted regardless due to the flag.
Calm, cool and collected, Dearnley was again able to smother a downward header from Blackett, who was the thorn in Max’s side all afternoon in the centre forward position.
Brandon Lee was the Silkmen’s next substitute, replacing Josh Kay on his return from suspension, who had been more than effective for the 68 minutes he was on the field for.
James Edmondson’s eyes lit up moments later when he retrieved the ball in the centre circle and drove forward, with Danny Elliott to his right but went alone and tested Sheik, but wasn’t able to convert.
At the opposite end, Dan Ward was booked as he went down in the area, claiming to have been upended by Brandon Lee but was instead penalised for diving.
Another change was made to the look of the Silkmen left side with Luis Lacey making way for Luke Duffy on 78 minutes.
Danny Whitehead almost doubled Macc’s lead with a powerful drive from the edge of the area, which flew just wide of Sheik’s near post, indicating no let up from the Silkmen, whilst simultaneously also trying to preserve their lead.
Substitute Daniel Dodds tried his luck from range on the break as South Shields began to get desperate with just a few minutes left on the clock. Five minutes were added on at the end of the regulation 90 with the Silkmen in the driving seat and prepared to run the clock down.
It wasn’t without Todd Alcock trying a speculative effort from range, forcing Dearnley to tip over and ensure there was no change to the scoreline midway through stoppage time.
Danny Whitehead was Macc’s final withdrawal of the afternoon, with Regan Griffiths introduced to see out the remaining minute of the contest, securing the Silkmen a statement victory and handing South Shields their first defeat of the season.
Macclesfield FC’s first ever Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper tie at home to AFC Totton is next up. Tickets are selling fast, though remain on general sale. Don’t miss out on your chance to witness history being made, get your tickets HERE
Attendance: 3,105
MOTM: Rollin Menayese
