Domination! Leamington 0 Macc 1
Back-to-back wins for Rooney’s men
The Silkmen made it back-to-back wins as they totally outclassed a dire Leamington side tonight, but it took a solitary first-half strike from Danny Elliott to seal victory in Warwickshire.
Macclesfield’s lack of killer instinct in the final third was the only blemish on an otherwise outstanding performance from start to finish. 22 shots (13 on target) and 12 corners in contrast to to just a solitary token effort from the home side. In truth, it could easily have been 5-0, such was our superiority all over the pitch.
19th placed Leamington are bottom of the National League North form table. And it showed as they meekly slipped to their fifth league defeat in six games. But credit the Silkmen for playing the Brakes off the park with a confident swagger.
Manager John Rooney made three changes to Saturday’s triumphant side against Curzon. Luis Lacey replaced Brandon Lee at left back, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts was preferred to D’Mani Mellor on the right wing, whilst Luke Duffy got the nod ahead of Danny Whitehead in the ‘number ten’ position behind Danny Elliott.
The first half was the Silkmen’s most dominant of the season as they played ‘The Brakes’ off the park. 9 shots in total (5 on target) with 4 corners against zero from the home side.
Macc could have been two-up in the opening five minutes. Edmondson’s deep crossfield ball to the back post found Johnson, who shifted the ball onto his right foot only to see his low shot cleared off the line. Moments later, Paul Dawson leathered a 25-yarder which stung the hands of Leamington’s keeper.
It was total domination from Macc with Edmondson, given the freedom of Leamington, starring in the ‘quarter back’ role dictating play just in front of the back four.
On 23 minutes Duffy floated a ball to the back post but Buckley-Ricketts couldn’t make a clean enough connection to steer the ball home. Then a sublime dummy and turn from Duffy saw him feed Edmondson who fizzed a swerving low effort from 30 yards narrowly past the post.
Macclesfield had done everything but score but finally took the lead on 36 minutes. A brilliant interception from Duffy on the halfway line saw him release Elliott still 20 yards out with a fair bit to do. Danny showed good control to take the ball on and guide a low, accurate shot into the bottom right corner of the net. 0-1. Elliott’s sixth league goal of the season
Second half
Macc continued their supremacy after the break and at times adopted a 4-3-3 formation with an attacking trio of IBR, Danny and JJ.
It was JJ who almost made it 2-0, winning the ball at the second attempt but his right foot shot was deflected narrowly wide.
Luis Lacey, who whipped in some dangerous dead balls, saw Sam Heathcote’s header from a corner well saved. Then Lacey’s free-kick should have been buried by Rollin Menayese, only for the big man to nod wide from close range.
Despite their wastefulness, Macc never looked like being punished. It took Leamington 67 minutes to muster their only effort on goal - a looping header from 20 yards that never troubled Max Dearnley.
The Silkmen were soon back in the ascendancy. Dawson’s sublime ball inside found Buckley-Ricketts in the box but the winger showed no composure as he lashed the ball across the face of goal with far too much power to find a blue shirt.
Then good hold-up play from Elliott found Buckley-Ricketts in space on the edge of the box, but his half volley couldn’t find the target.
Leamington pressed harder in the last ten minutes, however Fensome, Menayese and Heathcote stood up well to long balls being hurled into the box.
Deep into injury time Elliott got free in the box but saw his shot smothered at point blank range as Macc tried in vain to increase their margin of victory.
Rooney putting his stamp on the team?
This was a really polished performance from Rooney’s men tonight, on the back of Saturday’s crucial victory over Curzon.
A couple of patterns seem to be emerging to the fledgling manager’s credit. Our defenders are much more positive on the ball and are being encouraged to drive forward. Rollin Menayese, normally safety first, is notably bringing the ball out from the back and into midfield. Similarly, our full-backs are really bombing on as evidenced by Fensome on Saturday and Lacey tonight.
In attack we look much more potent, with Justin Johnson looking menacing whenever he gets the ball and being given freedom to roam. Finally, Luke Duffy looked back to his best after a quiet few games.
Two wins in four days have catapulted Macc up to ninth from 15th in the table, two points outside the play-offs with the tantalising prospect of facing runaway league leaders South Shields at home on Saturday.
Player ratings
Dearnley 6 - a rare night off. Literally nothing to do.
Fensome 7.5 - quieter than Saturday but another assured performance as he adjusts to playing as a makeshift right back. Picked up a needless booking.
Menayese 8 - much improved on the ball. Strong, positive and dominant in the air. Should have made it 2-0 in the second half
Heathcote 7.5 - a bit Sunday league with some of his up-and-under clearances, but mopped up well with no fuss. Booked for dissent
Lacey 8.5 - excellent performance in for Brandon Lee. Assured and strong in the tackle, produced some wickedly dangerous corners and feee-kicks which were begging to be converted
Dawson 8.5 - ran the midfield with Edmondson. Showed an excellent range of passing and unlucky not to score early on
Edmondson 8.5 - a Rolls Royce, particularly in the first half as he did as he pleased playing in front of the back four. Quieter after the break but easily his best performance since returning for his second loan spell.
Buckley-Ricketts 7 - mixed bag. Quiet initially then grew into the game, with one scintillating flick sending Elliott clear. Rather wasteful though when getting into some great positions
Duffy 9 - magnificent. Outstanding energy and composure in the middle of the park. Classy through ball for Elliott’s winner. Almost scored himself with an outrageous back-heeled volley attempt from Lacey’s corner.
Johnson 7.5 - did everything he could to score up against dogged Leamington full-back Dan Meredith. It wasn’t razzle dazzle from JJ tonight, but still a performance full of menace
Elliott 8.5 - much better workrate and hold up play after quiet games against Marine and Curzon. Superbly taken goal and his class ultimately proved the difference to seal another vital win.