The Silkmen began their pre-season schedule with an entertaining 3-0 victory over Hyde United as John Rooney’s side took their first steps towards the 2026/27 Enterprise National League North campaign.
With the focus firmly on building fitness, introducing a host of new signings and assessing several trialists, the Silkmen produced an encouraging display that only grew stronger as the contest progressed.
Hyde United made the brighter start and looked threatening down the right flank, delivering a couple of dangerous crosses into the penalty area during the opening exchanges. Ben Kershaw registered the visitors’ first effort on goal, although his shot drifted harmlessly wide.
Despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession during the opening 10 minutes, Macclesfield initially struggled to turn that control into clear-cut opportunities. Hyde came closest to breaking the deadlock when their number nine raced through following a long ball over the top, but Christian Dibble reacted well to deny him one-one-one.
The Silkmen soon settled into their rhythm, with Theo Chapman combining neatly with Trialist number, 9 before seeing his dinked effort cleared off the line.
A largely even first half ended goalless, with Macclesfield seeing more of the ball but Hyde creating enough chances to remain firmly in the contest.
The Silkmen emerged after the interval with renewed purpose. Trialist number 9 was denied early in the second half before making the breakthrough in the 54th minute, reacting quickest to smash home a half-volley after Jon Ustabasi’s initial effort had been blocked.
Macclesfield thought they had doubled their lead moments later when Ustabasi bundled home from a corner, only for the referee to disallow the goal, having judged that Hyde’s goalkeeper had been impeded in the process.
Hyde responded well and almost levelled when an ambitious long-range chip from their number 16 bounced down off the crossbar, before the rebound brilliantly kept out by Macclesfield’s trialist, substitute goalkeeper.
Control was regained by the hosts as the game wore on and were unfortunate not to receive a penalty when appeals for handball were waved away after a vicious Luke Matheson cross appeared to strike an outstretched Hyde arm.
Trialist wearing 9 remained a constant threat before eventually grabbing his second goal in the 86th minute, blocking Hyde’s goalkeeper’s clearance before calmly rolling the ball home into an empty net.
There was still time for one final moment of quality as trialist wearing seven capped the afternoon with a superb strike from outside the area, finding the top corner to seal an impressive 3-0 victory and hand Rooney’s side the perfect start to their pre-season preparations.
The Silkmen’s next pre-season friendly is scheduled for Tuesday 14th July away at Leek Town, kicking off at 7:45pm.
Report by Alex Knight
