A glimpse of the future – Macc U21’s 3 Stalybridge 0

But who stole the show?

Kielen Adams and recent signing Edy Maieco turned out for Macclesfield U21’s yesterday afternoon against Stalybridge, but it was a couple of promising youngsters who stole the show as the Silkmen ran out 3-0 winners.

With stadium announcer Andy Worth enjoying a well-deserved day off, and in the absence of any teamsheets, it was difficult for this Poundland reporter to establish who was playing such is my limited knowledge of Macc’s emerging prospects. But it did appear that neither striker Joe Boggan (signed on a youth loan from Blackburn until 15 September) and winger Ali Hayder (signed as a free agent in midweek who featured off the bench vs Tadcaster in the FA Cup) took part. But don’t shoot the messenger. Macc have been contacted for a teamsheet, so far to no avail…

Fortunately, there were some players that I did recognise who are worthy of highlighting.  

Henry McNulty is a baller

Macc began dominantly against a similarly youthful Stalybridge side and struck the woodwork twice in the opening ten minutes. First off, Macc’s no.8 (sorry I don’t know his name) hit the post from close range and three minutes later Kielen Adams followed suit. Great work by no.6 Henry McNulty down the left touchline saw him cutback the ball into the six-yard box. Stalybridge’s keeper spilled it which presented an opportunity to Adams, but rather than shoot first time, Kielen took a couple of touches before lashing the ball against the upright. It was an effort which lacked composure or accuracy and somehow the scoreline remained blank.

Such is the current debate on Macc’s perceived lack of potent striking options it would be easy to focus on Adams’ miss, but I’d rather highlight McNulty’s outstanding play which conjured the opening. Without doing Henry a disservice, he’s got the appearance of a young Jack Colback (current QPR and former Sunderland, Newcastle and Forest midfielder).

McNulty demonstrated the prowess of a complete midfielder, albeit against Stalybridge, but the lad is what you’d describe as ‘a player’. He seemed to pop up everywhere. As a ‘number 6’ he shielded the back four and was always available to accept possession and was comfortable on the ball. He put his foot in when required, and showed excellent close control trickery to embark on a mazy run down the left wing before crossing to create Adams’ guilt edged chance. Henry also put the icing on the cake with a lovely goal in injury time, latching onto a through ball and converting with a low shot into the bottom corner of the net. Coolness personified.

It's easy to see why McNulty and attacking talent Jamie Walker have been in-and-around the first team during pre-season. McNulty also threaded an exquisite slide rule pass to Walker which set him through on goal but the Stalybridge defender got back to cover. Overall, the tenacious Walker impressed without registering any standout moments. Both players are worth keeping an eye on.

Steady Edy, wasteful Kielen

If the objective for Kielen Adams and Edy Maieco was to get minutes to boost their fitness levels it was mission accomplished yesterday. Adams has been recovering from a knock sustained against Wythenshawe in pre-season, whilst Maieco has been without a club after leaving Bradford Park Avenue. Both lasted for about 60 minutes until they were withdrawn. However, if their objective was to give Robbie Savage a headache that they are worthy of a starting place in Macc’s first eleven then the jury remains out.

As ardent Macc fans will know, Maieco is a tidy / make-something-happen type player with the ball at his feet. And Edy was determined to have the ball yesterday, predominantly as a ‘number 10’ behind the strikers, but he even dropped as far back as just in front of Macc’s central defence in an attempt to dictate play. But other than flashing a header wide from a cross, Maieco didn’t really stamp his authority on proceedings. Steady on the ball? Yes. Penetrative with it? No. But look, on his day he can be explosive and he returns to Macc an arguably improved player following a scintillating end to last season with Bradford.

Adams was less impressive, although he did confidently drill home a penalty to give Macc the lead five minutes after the break (prior to that Stalybridge smacked the bar with a volley after a rare foray forward on 40 mins). But Kielen did spurn two excellent chances before that to get on the scoresheet – the aforementioned opportunity mentioned setup by McNulty, and secondly a cross into the box where he could only glance his header wide instead of using the pace on the ball to guide it on target. 

As things stand, the arrival of Maieco and the welcome goals from Tom Clare will make it difficult for Kielen to command a place in Savage’s matchday squad. He doesn’t appear clinical enough to play as a striker, or have the necessary guile to create chances from out wide. He is strong though, but perhaps could do more to put himself about and unsettle opposition defenders.

That’ll do son, that’ll do

I’ll finish on the manager’s son, Freddie Savage (pictured on the left above as a youngster), who will have delighted his old man with his performance yesterday. Freddie was a real livewire in the final third, winning the penalty for Macc’s opener after being clattered down by the Stalybridge keeper. He also rounded off a lovely flowing move to make it 2-0 with a neat finish.

After featuring in the Cheshire Senior cup last season, Freddie will be hoping to force his way onto Macc’s first team bench during this campaign, or gain minutes out on loan. He was a bundle of energy and Stalybridge couldn’t handle him in the second half. I suspect there’s more to come.

Robbie Savage has spoken about creating a pathway for Macclesfield’s youngsters to impress and emerge into the first team. On yesterday’s evidence the future is bright, both for them and the club.