Conor Mitchell was selected in goal, playing before a midweek trip for Northern Ireland duties, along with fellow starter Cameron Dummigan. We saw a debut for Australian centre half Callum Richardson and a continued place in the starting line up for U-15 schoolboy Khius Metz.
Indeed, it was Metz who had first glimpse of goal with a tight passing move ending with his release into the box. He set himself and clipped the ball over the keeper, but was unfortunate to see his effort rebound off the post and away from goal. Despite the early chance it was the visitors that were on top in the early stages. They pressed us, giving no time and space and this meant our passing game was suffering as a result. It took us some time but we finally began to get a foothold and started to create some chances around 20 minutes in.
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| Two more goals for Jason Gilchrist |
Metz was again the point of the claret spear. He made himself some space outside the box but shot wide of the left hand post. He then drew a good reaction save from the Macc Town goalkeeper as he tipped over a close range effort. We then had a couple of free kicks in dangerous areas but neither troubled the keeper. Gilchrist then took a shot across goal that was tipped wide, but the referee missed the touch and a goal kick was given.
Approaching the 40 minute mark we were hit with a sucker punch. It came from nothing as we had the ball at the back under no pressure. A pass out of the back from Alex Whitmore found an opposition player whose first time ball set the Macclesfield forward free. Richardson couldn’t cover in time and Mitchell opted to stay on his line. All these combined allowed the forward to slot home into the corner.
As has been the norm this year we came out after half time and again increased the tempo. It was a strong start but we were only creating half chances, with the best falling to Gilchrist who headed wide when well placed. We paid the penalty for our profligacy when we fell further behind. Again it was poor from our defence as a slide rule pass found the Macc Town forward goal side of his man, and he slotted home at the near post. Just prior to this the visitors had hit the post from a free kick so it wasn’t out of the blue despite our apparent dominance.
Gilchrist headed another effort wide before Pash decided to shake things up with some changes. Schoolboy wingers U-16 Brad Jackson and U-15 Jamal Crawford came on for Lewis Nuttall and Jamie Frost. Our debutant at the back nearly had to follow them off the field after a late challenge that saw the Macc forward booked, but he was able to shake off the knock.
We finally got a foothold in the game with a move finished off by Gilchrist. Whitmore advanced onto a loose ball and played out to Andreas Bianga. He drew a defender and slid it into Gilchrist in the area. He took it to a narrow angle and unleashed a shot that flew past the keeper before he could react. Two minutes later we were level and again it was the lethal Gilchrist, as he smashed it home from outside the area after a ball in to his feet from Luke Conlan.
It was all set for a dramatic comeback win, but Macclesfield hadn’t read the script as they took advantage of slack defending to retake the lead.
We had a couple more chances to draw level with Metz climbing for a far post header but failing to beat the keeper, and Jackson being denied by the brave stopper diving at his feet in the dying seconds.
Team:- Conor Mitchell, Cameron Dummigan, Luke Conlan, Alex Whitmore, Callum Richardson, Nathan Lowe, Andreas Bianga, Jamie Frost (Brad Jackson), Lewis Nuttall (Jamal Crawford), Khius Metz, Jason Gilchrist.
Subs not used:- Callum Jakovlevs, Andy Nugent