The Silkmen kickstarted their Emirates FA Cup campaign with a hard-fought victory over Redcar Athletic in the Second Round Qualifying.
Goals from Danny Elliott and Elliot Osborne saw John Rooney’s side avoid the potential banana skin and defeat their NPL opponents.
It was a slow start to the game, as it took until just after the 10-minute mark for any real chances of not for either side.
That came from the Silkmen as Sam Heathcote found a yard of space inside the Redcar half, but his shot from 25 yards fizzled past the post.
Macc should have taken the lead moments later as a brilliant flick inside the box from Danny Elliott found Ammar Dyer, who cut in on his right and curled marginally past the right-hand upright.
It took until around 30 minutes into the game for the Steelmen to see their first real sight of Christian Dibble’s goal, as the Silkmen number one had to make a good double save to deny Oscar Fletcher’s free kick and follow-up.
The hosts were beginning to build some momentum in the game as Fletcher went close again, but his shot from inside the area went over the bar.
Despite the growing pressure, it was the Silkmen who took the lead as Danny Elliott headed home his fourth of the season after a wonderful outside-of-the-boot cross from Dyer from the left.
It was almost two in as many minutes for Elliott, but a near-post jab clipped the outside of the post and went wide.
Theo Chapman was hauled down by a really poor challenge by JJ Bartliff right in front of the Silkmen bench and was perhaps lucky to only escape with a yellow.
Manager John Rooney and Assistant Franny Jeffers both received bookings for their reactions, although the Silkmen Assistant was shown a second yellow mistakenly before eventually seeing it rescinded by the officials.
The Silkmen started the second half strongly, and Jon Ustabasi almost doubled their advantage, but Mazfari smartly stopped his curled effort.
Curtis Round was proving a threat for the hosts and could have equalised as he got the wrong side of Osborne but half-volleyed over Dibble’s crossbar.
Macc doubled their lead just after the hour mark after a pinpoint delivery from Luke Duffy found the on-rushing Elliot Osborne at the far post, who headed in his first goal of the season.
Redcar were awarded a penalty 15 minutes from time as Sam Heathcote was adjudged to have brought down Adam Boyes inside the area.
Louis Johnson stepped up for the hosts and comfortably dispatched the spot kick to give the hosts a lifeline.
The Steelmen very nearly took the game to a replay but were denied by the crossbar as Bartliff rose highest but saw his header connect with the frame of the goal.
The Silkmen’s cup exploits continue on Saturday 3rd October as we find our opponents in Monday’s draw. We finally return to the Leasing.com Stadium in the Enterprise National League North as Harborough Town make the journey from Leicestershire.
Attendance – 773
MOTM – Elliot Osborne
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