Our Women’s Team travelled across Cheshire yesterday, as they contested their opening league game of the season against Warrington Town.
Both teams started well, with Warrington looking to play plenty of direct balls into attacking areas, which our defence was able to deal with well.
The breakthrough came 12 minutes into the game, when new signing Rhia Pollard played a lovely through ball into Nicole Ronan, who slotted home coolly past the goalkeeper to put Macclesfield into the lead.
The Girls were quick to take advantage of this period of dominance, with the midfield three of Kayleigh Newman, Rhia Pollard and Logan Power having much joy in the middle of the park.
This positive spell led to Macclesfield doubling their lead, with some innovative play from striker Ebony Stewart, who cleverly received the ball down the channel from full-back and captain Beth Cameron. Ebony spun her defender and raced clear on goal. Her initial shot was saved, but Ebony was able to convert the rebound.
Warrington began to grow into the game after the half-hour mark, and looked a threat from every set piece, but the Macclesfield defence was able to withstand the pressure and held onto their two-goal lead going into half-time.
As the second half began, Warrington switched shape and went to a 3-4-3 formation. They attacked well and were rewarded with a goal in the 50th minute, as they converted from a loose ball, which came from a Macclesfield clearance after a set play.
Warrington continued to push forward and were pushed on by the home crowd. They found an equaliser with a header from their striker after they’d worked the ball into the box again.
Macc did well to recover and fought their way back into the game. Ebony Stewart and Adora Yau both had a great chance to get the Silks back into the lead, but were unable to convert thanks to a great save from the Warrington goalkeeper.
As Macc continued to push forward, Warrington remained a constant threat, and with 10 minutes left to go, a spectacular finish from 25 yards out was converted, but the referee had blown for offside in the build-up.
Both teams continued to attack as the game came into its final moments, but it was, unfortunately for the Macc, set to be Warrington’s day as they won it deep into injury time with a well-worked move from a counterattack.
An entertaining fixture, but one in which the Macc felt they should have come away from with much more.
Both Head Coaches Jenna Lea and Dane Jones expressed their disappointment in losing a two-goal lead, but spoke of the positives that they had seen throughout the game.
Next up is a derby match against Altrincham, who have come up into the Division this season after a year away.
Both teams will be looking to bounce back after losing their opening fixtures.
The fixture will take place at the Leasing.com Stadium at on Wednesday evening with kick-off set for 19:30.
Entry prices are £3 for adults, and £1 for U18s / Concessions.
