Elliott snatches late winner at Bedford as Kay sees red

Danny’s injury time tap in spares Kay’s blushes

Well that was eventful. I was going to launch into a monologue about the poor discipline of our best players, only for Danny Elliott to score a late, late winner to give the Silkmen a dramatic 2-1 victory at Bedford tonight.

Danny was in the right place at the right time to tap in from two yards out after back-pedalling Eagles keeper Nathan Ashmore could only tip Lewis Fensome’s up-and-under onto the bar. Ashmore was left stricken on the floor as Elliott could scarcely believe his luck to capitalise on an early Christmas present to seal victory in the third and final minute of added time.

Three points. Thanks very much, Bedford.

Did Fensome mean it? Not on your nelly. I’m not sure I’d describe Lewis’s up-and-under from 30 yards as a cross or a shot, but more of a ‘let’s pump the ball into the opposition’s box with interest’. At best it was an overhit cross. At worst… frankly, who cares?

Smash and grab, or a deserved three points?

The manner of the victory, Macc’s first in five league games following three draws and a loss, felt like a ‘smash and grab’ moment. It came just minutes after Josh Kay received a straight red card, seemingly for dissent. I’ll come onto Kay shortly.

But on the balance of chances created in the second half the Silkmen deserved the win after Duffy (twice), Johnson and Kay all had efforts on goal from promising positions.

Elliott’s winner undoubtedly had an element of fortune to it, but Bedford were second best for the majority of the second half and gave up numerous openings in the final third which we could have been more clinical with.

Match stats

Shots on target: Macc 8, Bedford 4

Shots off target: Macc 4, Bedford 5

Corners: Macc 11, Bedford 3

Kay’s red card was unprofessional. He was becoming increasingly agitated in the moments leading up to it as Bedford’s defenders pulled him, nudged him and generally did their best to prevent Josh from playing.

I’d describe Kay’s treatment as part and parcel of the game, and no more overzealous compared to a typical match day.

But keep your gob shut, son. Kay didn’t, and the ref duly gave him his marching orders. Having only just returned from injury, to be without Kay again for an extended period is bitterly disappointing.

I’m not entirely sure how long he will be missing for. A straight red for dissent can often lead to a two-match ban rather than three. But given Kay was also sent off against Marine, his latest transgression could earn him an additional game ban on top. We’ll see.

That’s now two sendings off in just nine league appearances for Kay. As brilliant and as vital as he is to Macclesfield, whether it’s ill discipline or simply or a lack of fitness / stamina, the creative midfielder on loan from Oldham struggles to complete 90 minutes.

Unlike Marine which was due to a poorly timed and needless tackle in the centre of the park, Kay’s red card tonight was due to sheer petulance, just like Paul Dawson’s was at Fylde.

Given the gruelling run of fixtures we’ve got over the next two months, we don’t need to make it harder for ourselves by failing to keep our emotions in check. Rant over.

Three points a reward for a strong second half

We won despite not being at our best, although I’m not sure what our ‘best’ is this season. We tend to play well in pockets, rather than for a full half or entire 90 minutes.

Justin Johnson’s opener on 43 minutes DID come against the run of play, but it was well taken. JJ, having switched from the right to the left wing, beat the full-back, cut inside and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner past the despairing dive of Ashmore.

The Silkmen began the second half on the front foot with Kay becoming more influential as he linked up with Fensome down the right.

However we were pegged back on 54 minutes. A simple ball over the top saw Buxton loanee Callum Ebanks get the run on Luis Lacey. Max Dearnley came off his line only for Ebanks to show impressive composure to clip the ball over him into the net to make it 1-1.

Manager John Rooney would have been pleased with the response from his team. Johnson turned the full-back inside out and left him on his arse, but after going for a carbon copy of his first half goal, this time JJ dragged his shot wide and probably should have done better.

Then good link up play between Mellor, Kay and Duffy led to Duffy having two low efforts on target, although both of them were scuffed strikes rather than carrying sufficient power to beat the keeper.

Kay also had a shot that was saved at the near post, which also lacked venom.

At the other end, Bedford only had a couple of flashes on goal. One strike sailed over the bar, while another saw a cross deflect off a Macclesfield defender, but fortunately the resultant shot from Bedford’s Gyamfi was straight down Dearnley’s throat.

Musical chairs in the final third

The Silkmen started the game brightly. Dawson’s header from a corner was saved, as was a 25-yarder from Johnson.

Gradually though Bedford took control of the first half, winning first and second balls and attacking with more energy.

Rooney tried shuffling his pack on multiple occasions, with little success. Duffy began alongside Edmondson in central midfield, but Duffs frequently switched with Kay. Later on, Josh was moved out to the right wing with Mellor playing centrally, both as an attacking midfielder and deep lieing one.

I couldn’t fathom what the team’s approach was - it felt a bit like trying to pin a tail on a donkey, but we got there in the end. And let’s be clear, once again Macclesfield were much improved in the second half. Credit to the players and coaches for turning the game around.

This was the Silkmen’s fourth consecutive away game in nine days, approaching 2,000 miles covering the length and breadth of the county. To emerge with two cup wins over Slough and South Shields, in addition to taking four points from King’s Lynn and Bedford, is an excellent return.

Bedford, despite now losing four of their last five games, were a handful tonight and were averaging scoring two goals at home in the league.

With this vital win, Macc move up to 11th in the table, two points off the play-offs on 30 points with at least one game in hand on all of our rivals.

Player ratings

Dearnley 6.5 - I’m not sure he needed to come racing off his line in the build-up to Bedford’s equaliser. In his defence, it was a fine finish from Ebanks and Max did make a vital stop against South Shields on Saturday when being similarly decisive. Was grateful for Dawson for clearing off our line after he spilled a shot, and his kicking was somewhat erratic.

Fensome 7.5 - crazy assist for Elliott’s winning goal. Defended well all evening and showed good understanding with Kay when linking up with him down the right.

Menayese 7.5 - a tough night up against the dangerous Tyrone Marsh and Callum Ebanks. Did a fine job and made some vital blocks.

Dawson 7.5 - booked for a handball in the second half, and was more hurried in possession on occasions tonight. But did prevent a goal by clearing off the line in the first half after Dearnley couldn’t hold a Bedford shot.

Lacey 6 - was generally ok but his long balls forward rarely found a teammate. His corners were also invariably under hit or over hit.

Edmondson 6 - wasn’t given time to dictate play by Bedford and therefore struggled to gain control of the midfield battle.

Duffy 7 - had a good second half and seems to be on the same wavelength as Kay. Might have done better with two tame efforts when well placed.

Kay 6 - mark would have been higher but for his silly red card. Uncharacteristically played on the wing tonight instead of centrally and struggled to have the same impact he normally does. Despite this he was still involved in our more promising attacking play.

Mellor 6 - was constantly forced to change position across the midfield, without being particularly effective in any of them.

Johnson 8 - our main attacking threat, and the only Macclesfield player who could carry the ball and frighten defenders. Got us out of a tricky spot with a well taken and timely first half goal.

Elliott 7 - barely a sniff all night, but scored a true poacher’s goal to seal a huge three points for his 11th league goal of the season.

Subs:

Woltman for Duffy

Buckley-Ricketts for Johnson