The Silkmen followed up on an unbelievable victory in the Emirates FA Cup Third Round at home to Crystal Palace with an emphatic 3-0 victory against Oxford City, the goals courtesy of Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and D’Mani Mellor!
John Rooney made just one change to the starting eleven responsible for the giant killing last Saturday with Luke Matheson replacing Lewis Fensome.
From the off it was clear Isaac Buckley-Ricketts was keen to continue his form in front of goal as he almost immediately tested Oxford shot-stopper Sam Lewis inside 60 seconds, though wasn’t able to beat him at the first time of asking.
Luke Duffy was able to carve out an opportunity five minutes later as he awaited the overlapping run of Josh Kay before going alone and firing low and hard towards goal, but it was comfortable for Lewis.
With their tails up the Silkmen continued their search for an early opening goal as Luke Matheson’s deep cross was met by Isaac Buckley-Ricketts at the far post but had the ball stolen from under his feet as he set to shoot.
The favour was then returned as Matheson was picked out as a spare man on the edge of the area before he placed a first time effort narrowly over the crossbar.
There was a break in play midway through the half as Sam Heathcote briefly required treatment for a knock to his ankle, but was fortunately able to continue.
Josh Kay was next to fashion an opportunity for the unmarked Isaac Buckley-Ricketts at the back post, who was quickly swarmed by the Oxford defence following his decider last weekend and his half chance was claimed by Lewis via a deflection.
The equally in-form Paul Dawson was then sandwiched on the edge of the area as he set to let fly, and rightfully awarded a free kick for his troubles, from which he had Lewis scrambling as his almost floated free kick dipped towards the far corner, but not quite quickly enough.
Isaac Westendorf was forcibly withdrawn through injury before the half came to a close in the aftermath of Paul Dawson’s free kick, and was replaced by a similar towering presence to lead the line in the form of Josh Parker.
Oxford’s only real chance of the half came courtesy of Alfie Potter, whose well-struck volley flew past Max Dearnley’s upright just before the fourth official’s board was raised aloft.
Josh Kay’s wicked delivery was then chested down by D’Mani Mellor for Luke Duffy, whose first time attempt on goal was deflected behind for a corner, eventually dealt with by Oxford.
A minimum of six additional minutes of time were indicated at the end of a stop-start half as Buckley-Ricketts saw a low driven delivery gathered by Lewis. Luke Duffy’s corner gathered by Lewis was the last action of the half with the scoreline level at the break.
With work to do for both sides, both outfits headed rapidly for the changing rooms to await their instructions ahead of what was to be a decisive second period.
Ewan Clark and George Burroughs were at the centre of the action early in the second half as the former was booked for time wasting whilst the latter blazed well over after a loose ball fell kindly for him on the edge of the area.
With the difference still to be made, Elliot Osborne took the place of James Edmondson to make his Silkmen debut, just before Paul Dawson attempted to replicate his majestic headed finish from last week, glancing over from Luis Lacey’s corner just beyond the hour mark.
With the game there for the taking it was Isaac Buckley-Ricketts who came up trumps once more after his heroics seven days ago as he slotted home D’Mani Mellor’s low cross from a yard or so out to give the Silkmen a deserved lead after 68 minutes.
Luke Duffy made way for the Silkmen not long after the opener as he was replaced by Carlos Dos Santos with fifteen minutes to play.
Luis Lacey had the opportunity to sting the palms of Lewis with a low driven cross from an acute angle, with Buckley-Ricketts lurking, but the Hoops managed to survive another Silkmen onslaught.
Dos Santos almost had an immediate impact after his introduction, looping a header just over Lewis’ crossbar from close range as a Silkmen second seemed almost inevitable.
However, half-hearted appeals for a penalty from the visitors had to be waved away with ten minutes to go as it was claimed Rollin Menayese upended O’Shea Ellis inside the area, but instead were instructed to play on.
With the visitors not set and the ball falling kindly from a Hoops corner, a rapid break was lead by D’Mani Mellor and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, the latter found the former with a well timed through ball, from which Mellor was initially denied by Lewis before following in and heading home the rebound to deservedly double Macc’s lead and get himself back amongst the goals six minutes from time.
Two Silkmen substitutes ensued with five left on the clock as Luis Lacey and Luke Matheson were replaced by Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Lewis Fensome before five minutes were added at the end of the regulation 90.
Josh Kay stung the palms once more of Sam Lewis before setting up D’Mani Mellor to convert his second and the Silkmen’s third to secure another valuable and back-to-back maximum points in the Enterprise National League North.
The Silkmen now head south once more to take on Woking in the Fourth Round of the Isuzu FA Trophy at the second time of asking on Tuesday evening following last week’s postponement due to a waterlogged pitch.
Tickets remain available via Woking’s website and coach travel is also an option for those Silkmen supporters wishing to attend, who are encouraged to make their interest known in taking up a seat by commenting on the Club’s social media posts in relation to the Woking game.
MOTM: Isaac Buckley-Ricketts
Attendance: 3,158
