Ten men Silkmen slipped to a 1-0 defeat in their tenth Enterprise National League North fixture at home to Marine on a stormy Saturday afternoon.
Just two changes were made to the Silkmen side that defeated Nantwich Town in the Emirates FA Cup with Sam Heathcote and Danny Elliott returning to the starting eleven.
James Edmondson was first to try his luck after just six minutes, looking to catch Marine goalkeeper Jack McIntyre off guard, with a quickly taken free kick but the Mariners number one had the cheeky effort covered.
Brandon Lee recovered fantastically well soon after to slide the ball away from the path of Fin Sinclair-Smith who was otherwise in on goal eleven minutes in.
It was end to end early on as Sam Heathcote’s spectacular effort from range quickly followed, forcing McIntyre in to an impromptu save as the wind caught the attempt mid-air as it fast approached.
Justin Johnson was next to come close, after McIntyre committed to meet Josh Kay’s well timed through ball, but misjudged the weight on the ball, leaving Johnson with the goal at his mercy, only to have the ball stolen from him as he lined up a shot from range.
Terry Bondo was the first to test Max Dearnley at the other end, stinging the Silkmen shot stopper’s palms, but was otherwise dealt with comfortably.
Tempers flared almost immediately after as Josh Kay was shown a straight red card for a late challenge on Leigh Whelan at the twenty minute mark.
Justin Johnson was the man sacrificed for the Silkmen in a bid to bolster the midfield, with Danny Whitehead taking up Kay’s now vacant position.
Marine’s momentum began to increase with the man advantage. Bondo was the one to left fly once more, firing just beyond Dearnley’s far post from an acute angle.
Despite being a man down, Macc continued to press predominantly via Sean Etaluku, whose dangerous low ball in was almost turned home by Danny Elliott though saw his flick well blocked.
Etaluku was persistent in his efforts, meeting a Paul Dawson through ball and beating McIntyre in the foot race to the ball before knocking beyond him, though the danger was cleared by Marine before Sean could convert.
Danny Elliott was ever present too in his attempts to try and get the Silkmen in front, bringing down a ball over the top before forcing McIntyre in to an acrobatic save.
Terry Bondo then turned the ball home from a deep cross, but his celebrations were halted by the offside flag three minutes before the break.
After two minutes of stoppage time it was goalless at the interval, despite the numerical difference with the Silkmen needing something special to turn the game in their favour.
Danny Elliott’s free kick was the first event of the second half after a late challenge from Marine skipper Josh Wardle earned him a booking, though his set piece was wide of the mark.
Two yellow cards soon followed for the Silkmen as Brandon Lee and Sean Etaluku both entered the book for fouls in quick succession.
A deep Marine cross then fell nicely for Sinclair-Smith, though he could only hammer a half volley in to the side netting.
The visitors had the ball in the net once more as Wardle turned home a corner from close range, though the flag was raised once more, this time for a foul in the mix of bodies awaiting the delivery.
Marine eventually made their man advantage count after 68 minutes, as Matty McDonald turned home a dangerous cross from the left.
Sean Etaluku was replaced by Luke Duffy soon after Marine’s opener. Brandon Lee was next to leave the field a matter of minutes later, making way for Rollin Menayese.
Danny Elliott tracked back to carry out defensive duties from a corner, hooking away a loose ball that dropped in a dangerous area of the Macclesfield box.
Substitute George Newell nearly doubled the visitors lead ten minutes from time, glancing narrowly wide a headed effort from close range.
John Rooney was shown then a yellow card for his protests for a foul given against Paul Dawson moments earlier after he collided with McIntyre in the Marine goal.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts replaced James Edmondson in a late roll of the dice for the Silkmen before Paul Dawson was booked for an alleged dive at the end of regulation time with the Silkmen searching for a late leveller.
Five minutes were added but the Silkmen were unable to find a much needed equaliser, as they fell to their second consecutive league defeat at home.
MOTM: D’Mani Mellor
Attendance: 3,003
