The Silkmen completed their 2026/27 pre-season campaign with a 2-0 victory at home to FC United of Manchester on Saturday afternoon, with the goals provided by Adan George and Sam Heathcote.
John Rooney issued a fully named starting eleven with the squad nearing completion ahead of our season opener next Saturday at Marine AFC, with new signings Josh Kay and Veron Parny taking their respective places on the bench for the afternoon.
The Silkmen also donned their brand new 2026/27 home kit for the very first time on Saturday, with supporters in attendance able to get a first proper close-up of the Club’s new look for the upcoming campaign.
It was a lively start to proceedings from the Silkmen with Lincoln McFayden and Jon Ustabasi causing FC United issues early on down Macc’s left flank, getting in behind their defence twice in quick succession though both eventual efforts from Adan George and Ustabasi were prevented from finding the back of the net by a combination of the visitors’ defence and goalkeeper Dan Atherton.
Our opponents responded moments later as Christian Dibble was alert to Michael Donohue’s on target attempt, pushing the placed attempt round the post for a corner which the Silkmen defended nobly.
Luke Duffy was next to try his luck, though sliced his half-volley wide of the mark ahead of a brief stoppage as FC United’s trialist wearing number 7 required treatment following a collision with the pitch side advertising hoardings.
Efforts continued to be exchanged at either end midway through the half with veteran striker Adam Le Fondre troubling Dibble with a smart header back across goal which required an improvised stop from Dibble via his own head to prevent Macc from falling behind. Duffy also probed once more inside FC United’s 18 yard box, though this time saw his headed attempt cleared off the line by Andre Wisdom.
The tricky winger’s technical ability eventually became too much for the Northern Premier League side’s defence, as he was tripped inside the area moments later resulting in a Silkmen spot-kick. Adan George was on hand to tuck away the penalty, sending Atherton the wrong way from twelve yards.
Lincoln McFayden’s overlapping runs beyond former AFC Fylde team mate Jon Ustabasi continued to trouble the FC United’s right flank, this time dragging a low drive just wide of Atherton’s far post.
There was time for one more reaction save at the other end from Christian Dibble, whose instincts kicked in to push away Dec Evans’ powerful volley from a corner.
Referee Oli Hamilton signalled the end of the half with Macc a goal to the good at the break, though with more conviction required to stamp their authority on the game with FC United still very much in the contest at the half way point.
Rooney opted to make one change at the interval with Tom Wilson taking the place of Cameron Borthwick-Jackson as the second half got underway.
It didn’t take long for the need for a second goal to resonate with the Silkmen as FC United ‘keeper Atherton ventured outside of his box with the goal and was forced in to a rushed clearance by Adan George, which landed at the feet of Ammar Dyer who squared for Sam Heathcote, and with the centre-half already spotting Atherton off his line, calmly set to shoot, with an inch perfect attempt which sailed over the head of the backpedaling goalkeeper and in to the back of the net.
Elliot Osborne required treatment briefly for a bang to the wrist on the hour mark, though was ok to continue despite looking in some real discomfort momentarily.
The visitors looked to respond midway through the second period with Donald Chimalilo blast beyond a non-set Dibble with the offside flag already raised well in advance of the shot being taken having failed to beat Macc’s offside trap.
Three changes were made with twelve minutes to play by Manager John Rooney, which saw Elliot Osborne, Ammar Dyer and Luke Duffy each replaced by Luis Lacey, Hassan Ayub and Veron Parny respectively.
One final switch was made with six minutes to play following the triple change with Danny Elliott continuing his journey back to full fitness with another few minutes of match action under his belt as he replaced Fin Shrimpton.
With no further action of note ensuing, referee Hamilton brought the contest to an end following one minute of additional injury time, concluding our pre-season campaign.
The Silkmen travel to Marine AFC for the first game of our 2026/27 Enterprise National League North season next Saturday. Tickets are on sale here: https://marinefc.ktckts.com/event/mne2627h01/marine-v-macclesfield
Attendance: 734
MOTM: Jon Ustabasi
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