The Silkmen surged to the top of the Enterprise National League North with an inspiring 3 – 1 win at home to Worksop Town yesterday.
After a cagey opening period, the most clearcut chances fell to the visitors.
Rollin Menayese and Luke Matheson in particular put their bodies on the line to heroically prevent an early opener for Craig Parry’s side.
Brandon Lee then produced a crucial goal line clearance following a header from a Worksop corner that looked certain to find the net.
Max Dearnley was then called into action – acrobatically tipping over a glancing header in front of the Star Lane End faithful.
A break in play subsequently followed, as Luke Matheson controversially suffered a flailing Worksop elbow which was punished by a caution by the referee.
After a dominant spell, it was Worksop who took the lead on 21 minutes, through Alexs Starcenko. Max Dearnley initially made a fingertip save to prevent Jordan Burrow but the midfielder was able to tap home the rebound from close range.
Falling behind catalaysed the Silkmen into action, as they defiantly sought to restore parity in the quickest time possible.
This ultimately took just five minutes as skipper Paul Dawson timed his gallant run perfectly in order to connect with with Sean Etaluku’s deep cross at the far post.
It was almost a complete turnaround just minutes later with three great chances ensuing.
Danny Whitehead was dramatically prevented by a goal line clearance, D’Mani Mellor headed inches wide at the far post, and Danny Elliott agonisingly missed out on a loose ball would surely have been converted.
Macc were now in the driving seat, dominating both possession and territory.
Luke Duffy then unleashed a ferocious drive from distance, but it was well held by Tommy Taylor in the Worksop goal.
It was Luke Duffy again who came closest to getting Macc’s noses ahead after the break, twisting and turning before poking goalwards, and forcing a reaction save from Taylor.
Paul Dawson then almost replicated his opening goal, nodding narrowly wide at the back post from a deep corner.
At the other end, Max Dearnley was called upon once more to gather a diving Liam Hughes header, exemplifying the fact that Worksop still posed a potent threat.
With the game on a knife edge, it was going to need something special to split the sides.
Up stepped Danny Elliott, who made a well-timed run before lashing a rasping left-footed drive beyond Taylor at his near post, off the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net.
Scenes of jubilation continued in the terraces as Macc sought a third goal, with Brandon Lee and Sean Etaluku proving to be particularly menacing on the flanks.
To their credit, Worksop battled against the Silkmen onslaught, yet Dawson would end the game as a contest with just seconds remaining – heading the ball home from close range to send the Silkmen fans home with beaming smiles on their faces.
Next up is a trip to face Oxford City next Saturday, and we will need you all right behind us once again, as we contest our first-ever away game in the Enterprise National League North.
