MATCH REPORT: MACCLESFIELD FC 1 V 1 ALFRETON TOWN

23 Aug 2025

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The Silkmen were held on their return to the Leasing.com Stadium at the beginning of the bank holiday weekend.

Three changes were made to the side that dispatched Southport at Haig Avenue on Tuesday evening, with Luis Lacey making his first start for the Club after his winner in midweek, whilst Danny Whitehead and Luke Matheson returned to the starting XI.

Brandon Lee missed Saturday afternoon through a hamstring strain, which will sideline him for a few weeks at the least.

The occasion started with a scare as Paul Dawson writhed around in agony following a challenge in the air early on, fortunately he was able to continue after extended treatment on his ankle.

Max Dearnley pulled off a spectacular save just minutes later to deny Siyabonga Ligendza on the volley. The offside flag then ruled out an Alfreton opener from a corner as the Silkmen struggled to settle.

Despite early Alfreton pressure, D’Mani Mellor reminded the visitors of the Silkmen’s quality when his powerful effort from distance cannoned back off the crossbar.

The game simmered somewhat after an eventful opening period, though Macc almost found the break through after half an hour with Isaac Buckley-Ricketts springing the offside trap and cutting back in search of Danny Elliott, though found a red shirt who managed to loop a sliced clearance on to the roof of their own goal.

Luis Lacey, who has been prevalent at the other end in recent weeks was on hand to clear an acrobatic Joe Dodoo effort off the line, bound for the far bottom corner.

Alfreton almost nodded themselves in front just before the break from a corner, narrowly missing the target with Adam Lund making the crossbar reverberate once more, but at the opposite end to Mellor’s earlier effort.

Goalless at the break and both sides had work to do ahead of the second 45.

Macc made an immediate impact at the start of the second half with Dawson nodding home Isaac Buckley-Ricketts’ corner, though was chalked off for handball and booked as a result.

It didn’t take long after Dawson’s header was ruled out before the Silkmen asserted their authority on the game, as D’Mani Mellor jinked his way through the Alfreton defence and slotted beyond Willis to make it 1-0.

Almost immediately, Alfreton levelled through Captain Adam Lund, who rose highest from a deep corner and headed home to restore parity.

Max Dearnley had to think fast to prevent Lund from doubling his and Alfreton’s tally almost identically as his powerful header was beaten away by the Silkmen shot stopper.

Dearnley was quickly called in to action again to stand firm against a low drive from Jack Leckie after a loose ball from a corner fell kindly for him.

Paul Dawson and Rollin Menayese combined to clear Ligendza’s effort from close range off the line with the Silkmen severely under the cosh, notably from set pieces.

Josef Yarney was introduced for Danny Whitehead just after the hour mark to sure things up at the back for the Silkmen, pushing Paul Dawson up in to his usual midfield spot.

Sean Etaluku then replaced Isaac Buckley-Ricketts to provide a different outlet down the right flank.

Paul Dawson was third to make way for the Silkmen, with Lewis Fensome taking over both the armband and his position in the centre of midfield.

Carlos Dos Santos was the final introduction for Macc, replacing Luis Lacey as part of one final push for a late decider with just two minutes remaining. Lewis Fensome dropped to left back and Carlos took his place in the number 8 role.

Four minutes were added with both sides pushing for a last gasp winner, but there was nothing to separate the sides at the final whistle.

The Silkmen have obtained 7 points from an available 12 and find themselves in 8th position as of Saturday evening.

The boys in blue travel to Spennymoor Town on Bank Holiday Monday to try and go one better with another victory on the road.

Attendance: 2,896

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