Dearnley the difference as Macc see off Stockton
4-1 win puts Silkmen 13pts clear at the top
‘Attack wins you games, defence wins you titles,’ is the famous quote from Sir Alex Ferguson who knew a fair bit about both.
Whilst statistically Ferguson’s theory (in the context of the Premier League) doesn’t always hold true, his overriding point stands firm. In football, it’s often the strikers and forward players who occupy the limelight. But as much as a team needs to score goals to win matches, it’s inevitably important to concede fewer.
Step forward Max Dearnley. Macc’s no.1 may have failed to add to his tally of 13 clean sheets for the season in yesterday’s 4-1 win over a spirited Stockton Town, but his performance was worth its weight in gold. The Silkmen goalkeeper made three outstanding saves yesterday to help Macc stretch their lead at the top of the Northern Premier League to 13 points with a game in hand over second placed Guiseley.
Although leading scorer Danny Elliott bagged Macc’s opener and earned the sponsor’s player-of-the-match accolade, it was Dearnley’s outstanding performance which made for a more comfortable afternoon than it otherwise may have been against a Stockton side who were dangerous throughout the 90 minutes.
It wasn’t just the quality of Max’s saves which stood out, but also the timing of them. He made big saves at big moments to deny Stockton who came into this fixture full of self-belief following their FA Trophy triumph over Oldham last week. Arguably Robbie Savage’s most important signing this season, Dearnley has cemented himself as Macclesfield FC’s finest goalkeeper and in doing so has solved a major headache between the sticks.
Did you know?
Since reforming, Macc have signed 22 goalkeepers with five players failing to make a solitary appearance
Last season alone, the Silkmen had seven keepers on their books at various stages through a combination of permanent, loan and temporary signings
Dearnley is closing in on becoming Macc’s most longstanding goalkeeper to date. In total, Max has made 27 appearances for the Silkmen (20 in the league), behind Sam Ashton who represented the club 31 times
Savage set the Silkmen up in his preferred home formation of 3-4-1-2, despite captain Paul Dawson serving the first of his three-match ban after his sending off against Altrincham in the FA Trophy. In came Lewis Fensome to partner Pemberton and Mendy at the back, whilst Justin Johnson got the nod over Alex Curran in midfield.
It was the away side, backed by 150 tremendous followers, who almost took the lead after 4 minutes. A neat ball slipped Thompson in, but his effort was blocked by Dearnley who came racing off his line to deny the attacker time and space.
Savage described the action as ‘a game of basketball’ in his post-match interview which was an accurate reflection to describe how both teams surged forward in numbers. On 6 minutes, a deep cross by JJ found Mellor whose looping header was diverted over the bar by Stockton keeper Harker who took no chances.
But after 11 minutes Macc did make the breakthrough. Johnson combined with Tre Pemberton on the right wing who continued his run as an overlapping centre half. Tre’s pinpoint cross was headed home by Danny Elliott in space who timed his run and leap to perfection to net his 19th goal of the season (13 in the league). 1-0.
Stockton never lost belief though and drew level with a scruffy effort on 22 minutes. A deep corner found captain Adam Nicholson at the back post whose towering header appeared to take a deflection off a Macc player on its way into the net 1-1.
The Anchors really fancied the job now. They almost worked a great opening in the box from the left-hand side but Macc scrambled clear. Immediately afterwards, Mellor set Elliott clear however Danny was forced wide and his shot from an acute angle was gathered at the second attempt by Harker.
The game was evenly balanced and it took a moment of quality from John Rooney to help restore the Silkmen’s advantage. Rooney’s sublime weighted through pall sent D’Mani Mellor clear who produced a cool finish to slip the ball under the keeper’s body. 2-1. That’s 10 goals for the season for Mellor (8 in the league) who is in outstanding form at present.
Stockton continued to pose a threat, but this time from Macc’s own doing. A loose ball from James Edmondson sold Laurent Mendy short and striker Michael Fowler sought to capitalise, however his tame effort didn’t trouble Dearnley.
Somewhat fortuitously, the Silkmen were two goals to the good and this time the talented Edmondson was involved at the right end of the pitch. Rooney’s effort was deflected for a corner, which was taken and eventually found its way to Edmondson 25 yards shot. His well-struck shot also took a deflection to deceive Harker and make it 3-1 on 40 minutes.
Job done? No chance. Once again Stockton fashioned an opportunity from the left channel to find Kevin Hayes in acres of space on the stroke of half-time. He looked poised to pull a goal back for the visitors but Dearnley was having none of it. Max bounded off his line, made himself big and produced a strong hand to turn Hayes’ shot away in a pivotal moment in the game.
Second half
If anything, it was Robbie Savage’s men who came out after the interval as if they were two goals behind. A minute after the restart, Mellor charged down a defensive clearance. Then a beautiful through ball by Luke Duffy put Elliott through who saw his initial shot and follow-up effort from the rebound kept out by Harker.
Stockton weathered the storm and would have reduced the arrears but for another top drawer stop by Dearnley. Kengni failed to cut out a cross which found Hayes in the box, whose shot was deflected off Pemberton and heading for the top corner of the goal until Dearnley spectacularly tipped it over the bar. This was a decent spell for Stockton who kept chucking men forward and a low drive was deflected narrowly wide for a corner as the Anchors pressed hard for a way back.
Savage had switched to 4-2-3-1 to tighten the game up which did pay dividends. Alex Curran, on for JJ, fired over the bar from distance. Then lovely link-up play between Curran, Mellor and Duffy ought to have led to a chance, but on occasion, the Silkmen were trying to be too precise in and around the box. At the other end, another long-distance attempt from the visitors was again thwarted by Dearnley for his fourth vital save of the afternoon.
Recent signing Sean Etaluku, on for Danny Elliott, occupied the right flank allowing the lively Mellor to play as the lone striker. He should have had a glorious chance to score when Mellor burst clear on goal. Mellor had Curran on his left and Etaluku to his right for options. But rather than playing a simple pass, D’Mani inexplicably elected to go it alone and his weak effort was diverted for a corner - a golden chance squandered.
The frustrated Etaluku did get on the scoresheet though in injury time to make it 4-1 which was all down to his own endeavour. Stockton played a slack ball across their box, and Etaluku reacted quickest to turn the ball into the net from 10 yards out.
Full-time: Macclesfield 4 Stockton 1
Attendance: 3,007 (150 from Stockton)
Verdict: An entertaining game and a scoreline which was harsh on Stockton who could easily have scored more goals but for Dearnley. But so too could Macclesfield and the visitors were ultimately outclassed. Stockton are a club on the up though, with a promising squad and passionate fanbase which may yet carry them to the play-offs. Although defensively gun-ho, not many teams will take six points off the Anchors this season as Macclesfield have.
With Guiseley dropping four points in a week following draws against Leek and Hyde, Robbie Savage’s squad could open up an astonishing 16 point lead at the top of the NPL if they can win their game in hand away at Bamber Bridge on Tuesday.
Player ratings
Dearnley 9 - my man of the match. how can a keeper in a 4-1 win be a MOM? By making crucial saves to deny Stockton taking the lead and getting back into the game when 3-1 down.
Pemberton 8 - tireless display as always. Excellent assist for Elliott’s opener and defensively solid. Picked up a needless booking for a late challenge in the second half.
Fensome 7 - solid and reliable, just as he was when entering the fray against Altrincham last week. Kept his passing simple and played only one loose ball in the match.
Mendy 8 - dominant at the back and has been faultless in Dawson’s absence. Played some impressive crossfield passes to the right touchline to set up Macc’s attacks in the first half.
Johnson 7 - better today from JJ after he struggled off the bench vs Altrincham. Produced a good cross for Mellor in the first half and almost threaded Tre through in the second half with a peach of a pass. Not everything came off and he faded after the break. Subbed for Curran.
Rooney 7 - produced a moment of magic for Mellor to see Macc re-take the lead at a time when the team most needed it. Has formed a nice midfield partnership with Edmondson.
Edmondson 7.5 - the youngster is a joy to watch and always involved. Played a couple of stray passes in dangerous places which is all part of his learning curve. Never hides and showed again that he has an eye for goal. His loan from Blackburn has been extended until January 8th, meaning he’ll be with the Silkmen for the vital new year fixtures against Hyde, Worksop and Ashton.
Kengni 6 - it’s funny how we all see things differently. Kengni was singled out for praise by Savage and supporters on social media for his display against Stockton, but I thought he had an off day compared to his outstanding performances of late. Loose control and careless in possession in the first half, he struggled to impose himself. He did improve after the break but this was still a quiet game from Neil overall. That said, he’s retained his place in the starting eleven ahead of Brandon Lee and Dontai Gabbidon on merit.
Duffy 7 - involved in some bright moments going forward and always neat and tidy. But needs to impose himself more on occasions and, arguably, be more direct and selfish on the edge of the penalty area when playing as a number 10.
Mellor 8.5 - fantastic, all-energy display from a player who has proven to be an inspired acquisition by Savage. Took his goal well after a well-timed run, has an excellent spring in the air, has pace to burn and an incredible work ethic. Loses half a mark for failing to play in Curran and Etaluku when they were in a great goalscoring position.
Elliott 7.5 - brimming with confidence and scored with a neat header. Earned a ticking off from Savage though when trying a spectacular 30-yarder which sailed over instead of passing to a teammate. Could have scored another in the second half but was twice denied by the Stockton keeper.
Subs:
Curran 7 - impressive cameo and involved in most of our attacks in the second half. Just slightly lacking an end product.
Etaluku 6.5 - struggled to adapt to the pace of the game when coming on, overrunning the ball when in space on the right wing. But kept going and got his reward for showing good initiative to score Macc’s fourth and his first goal at home for the Silkmen.
Whitehead 6 - on for Rooney and helped Macc see out the final 20 minutes relatively untroubled.
Lee (no rating) - on for Kengni in injury time.
Heathcote (no rating) - replaced Mellor in injury time and played as a makeshift striker.