The Silkmen secured a 2-1 victory last night at the Leasing.com Stadium after a testing festive period, courtesy of goals from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and Paul Dawson, making a positive start to 2026!
John Rooney made three changes that fell to defeat at Chester a week prior, with Luke Matheson, Luke Duffy and Carlos Dos Santos all starting in place of Lewis Fensome, Justin Johnson and Danny Whitehead.
Despite a lively start from the visitors, it was the Silkmen who came closest to opening the scoring early on as Paul Dawson dragged a low attempt narrowly wide of the left post via a deflection just five minutes in.
Luis Lacey saw a low cross tipped round the near post by Radcliffe goalkeeper Mark Halstead before Luke Matheson ventured forward to pick up a loose Radcliffe ball, driving in to the area before cutting back for Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, who skied his first time effort that was always rising after a quarter of an hour.
The opening Silkmen goal that looked to have been coming for the opening period eventually came as Carlos Dos Santos tried his luck, but saw his low drive deflected in to the path of Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, who smartly converted from a tight angle with a first time left footed finish.
Birthday boy and Club Captain Paul Dawson immediately doubled the Silkmen’s lead three minutes later, unleashing a strike from almost nothing as the ball appeared stuck under his foot though, still delivered an unstoppable strike which flew in to the top corner via the underside of the crossbar!
Max Dearnley was on hand to prevent David Ball from halving the deficit in the immediate aftermath of Dawson’s screamer as the visitors looked to dampen spirits around the Leasing.com Stadium, though unable to on this occasion as Dearnley comfortably gathered his scruffy attempt.
James Edmondson almost added an emphatic third firing narrowly over directly from a free kick that appeared out of range, though the tricky midfielder with an eye for goal looked to recreate his wonder goal at Slough, but couldn’t quite keep his shot down just before the half hour mark.
Rick Smith was booked for a late challenge on Captain and second goalscorer of the evening Paul Dawson on 32 minutes with the Silkmen in full control, emphasised as Luke Duffy danced his way through the Radcliffe defence and looked to square for D’Mani Mellor, though the through ball was intercepted by Smith at the vital moment.
Jordan Hulme ballooned over from distance as Radcliffe attempted to make a dent in the scoreline, though failed to do so from the half chance.
To the surprise of many, Radcliffe were then debatably awarded a spot kick following a challenge on the edge of the area from James Edmondson. Dan Gardener stepped up and was denied by Max Dearnley, beating away the low spot kick to his left with a sense of justice prevailing around the Leasing.com Stadium.
D’Mani Mellor very nearly provided a third for Macc on the stroke of half time, nodding narrowly wide of Halstead’s far post before the Silkmen headed in at the break with a healthy two goal lead and showed no signs of letting up against a so far out of sorts Radcliffe side.
Luis Lacey was booked following a heat of the moment challenge as the visitors searched for a way back in to the game after a no doubt stern half time team talk from management duo Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson.
It was Luke Duffy though who came closest to making a change the scoreline as he found himself with bags of time and space after collecting a loose ball on the edge of the area and picking his spot, only to find the unforgiving near post, struck head on and rebounded away from the winger’s path as he attempted to follow in.
With their tails back up after the break, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts was next to lead a charge in to the Radcliffe area, cutting inside and firing just beyond the far corner as Macc looked as though they were beginning to run riot.
Caught in two minds, Duffy squandered another golden chance to extend the Silkmen’s lead, opting to square for D’Mani Mellor, who wasn’t on the same wavelength, overrunning the unselfish delivery just before the hour mark.
Seeming once again like it was surely a matter of time before the Silkmen went three up, D’Mani Mellor placed over another big chance from close range, with those on the touchline and in the stands hoping such opportunities wouldn’t come back to bite Macc later in the evening.
Cameron Borthwick-Jackson was introduced midway through the half, making his debut for the Silkmen as he replaced Luis Lacey, who’d previously played every minute of every game since the devastating injury to Brandon Lee in the Emirates FA Cup Second Round tie away at Slough Town.
A momentary scare for Macc followed as Sam Heathcote’s backwards header towards Dearnley looped over the keeper’s head as he rushed out to claim the initial ball, though fortunately Luke Matheson was on hand to clear the danger.
Carlos Dos Santos was next to be withdrawn after a very solid performance to be proud of in the middle of the park and was replaced by the experienced Danny Whitehead in the closing stages.
Whitehead had an immediate involvement in the affair, almost adding that evasive third goal, denied only by the outstretched hand of Halstead as he scrambled back across goal to prevent the midfielder from putting the game beyond all doubt.
Sam Heathcote was cautioned as he challenged substitute Rio Clegg in the air, with the latter coming off worse from the 50/50 scenario before Max Dearnley produced a brilliant reaction save to his left, preventing the away side from building their hopes of salvaging a late comeback.
Two further changes were made in the final ten minutes as Luke Matheson and James Edmondson made way for Lewis Fensome and debutant Mikey Stone.
Radcliffe were thought to be reduced to ten in the final minute of regulation time as the already booked Dan Gardener wasn’t given his marching orders by referee Jack Churchill as confusion reigned at the Leasing.com Stadium.
Radcliffe managed to pull a goal back a minute from the end of the additional five through substitute Tyler James, poking home a loose ball from a deep cross, though it made no difference to the eventual result of a valuable three points for the Silkmen at the first attempt in the New Year.
The Silkmen now have the excitement of a historic Emirates FA Cup Third Round sell out tie to look forward to against holders Crystal Palace at the Leasing.com Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Attendance: 2,578
MOTM: Paul Dawson
