Macc 2 Chester 1 - player ratings & the view from the Seals
The Silkmen are two wins from promotion
If at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again. And boy did Macclesfield’s players put their bodies on the line to eventually overcome a dogged Chester side and deservedly progress to the semi-finals of the National League North play-offs.
Just Kidderminster Harriers (away on Saturday) in the semi-final and, if we triumph in that, the winner of South Shields vs Buxton in the second semi stand between the Silkmen and promotion to the National League. But one step at a time - in-form Kidderminster will present formidable opposition tomorrow, not least because their squad has had a full week’s rest in comparison to Macclesfield who have just over 48 hours to recover after prevailing in the Cheshire derby.
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The Silkmen get what they deserve
Be honest, did you expect Macc to rally after going a goal behind to Connor Woods’ 36th minute strike? At that moment there felt an inevitably that Chester simply had the Silkmen’s number after comfortably beating them 2-0 home and away in the regular league season.
To their enormous credit, manager John Rooney and the players didn’t panic and continued to patiently probe away at a safety-first, patched-up Chester side who had lost key players Fin Shrimpton and Dylan Mottley-Henry to injury in each half. Let’s be clear though - Macclesfield were the better side throughout this bruising contest, they dominated the opening 20 minutes and Chester’s goal was very much against the run of play.
In the second half it was one-way traffic, but it took a classy move to eventually break Chester’s stubborn resistance. Sam Heathcote strode out of defence and found Paul Dawson, whose neat turn created half a yard for him to play the ball out to Luke Duffy on the right wing. Duffy’s incisive low first-time cross was swept home at the near post by makeshift striker Josh Kay who equalised with aplomb.
Chester were on the ropes and the Silkmen never let them escape. James Edmondson’s hooked effort from Kay’s flick was saved, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson rattled the bar with a thunderous 30-yard effort, and Dawson’s fizzed strike landed on the roof of the net in injury time.
Just when the tie was heading for extra-time, a short corner routine off the training ground which Macclesfield had been deploying all evening eventually paid off. Duffy’s cross-come-shot was too hot to handle for Seals keeper Bobby Jones, who could only palm the effort into the net to spark wild scenes of jubilation inside the Leasing.com stadium!
The view from Chester fans
“Don’t think we would have handled extra-time either way. Shame Shrimpton and Mottley-Henry went off injured”
“Another mistake by our keeper, not the first or second time since he’s been here. Keepers in general have lost us too many points and games this season.”
“Fair result. Defence played well and had a lot to do. Felt the midfield didn’t offer much and as soon as both Shrimpton and Mottley-Henry went off we had zero threat upfront.”
“Came up short. Wasn’t good enough tonight unfortunately. Bobby Jones absolutely awful dealing with any balls into the box again.”
“We looked absolutely shattered tonight, hanging on from the moment we scored and can’t begrudge Macc the win”
“Got battered second half”
“No qualms about the result. Macclesfield deservedly won”
“Really unlucky to have Carson and Bainbridge out, and losing our two top scorers compounded things as we had no outlet. The goal at the end was so Chester, it pains me to say.”
“We sat too deep all game and gave them the freedom to spray the ball around and left gaping holes in the middle.”
“Never want to see Tom Peers in a Chester shirt again. He’s fucking awful”
“Two poor looking sides tonight”
“Didn’t think we deserved anything from that and I knew we wouldn’t once Peers came on”
“Hope those knuckle dragging morons throwing stuff (at Ravenhill) were caught on film, get banned and pay the inevitable fine the club gets”
“Very deflating. You could see Macc were fresher having had the luxury of being able to rest players when they were safely in fourth. It felt inevitable that they’d score from a corner. Ravenhill was a disgrace.”
“It was definitely coming unfortunately. On the plus side, I can’t see them progressing through 2 more games. Our shortcomings played massively into their hands - we’ve already shown twice this season that at our best we can comfortably beat them”
“Pathetic performance. Roll on next season with (Phil) Parkinson”
“The best four sides are left in the play-offs. Be interesting to see who goes up. We could do with South Shields going up to get rid of them”
“Reminded me of the play-off game away at Kiddy last season when we were the better side, except Macc were the better side last night so can’t really have any complaints”
“Anyone else notice what appeared to be one of the Macc players throwing punches just after their second goal? Then a bit of wrestling ended up with him rolling on the floor on his back as if he’d been shot”
“Seen it back on the fan cam behind the goal. Woodthorpe tries to get the ball, Kay stops him and throws a punch. Woodthorpe then pushes Kay and chucks him on the ground, where Kay feins injury”
“Well done to Macclesfield. On the night they were the better team.”
“We were outclassed by a far fitter Macc side, who were able to successfully raise their game far beyond the levels they showed in our previous two meetings”
Player ratings
Ravenhill 8 - a mature display from the 20 year-old who dealt well with adversity on the pitch, and behind the goal as mindless Chester supporters threw objects at him. Set the tone from the off by confidently coming off his line to make a vital headed clearance, followed by a sprawling save to cut out a cross with Mottley-Henry poised to tap-in. Ravenhill also made an excellent low stop on the stroke of half-time, only for the linesman to flag for offside. And of course, it was Rogan’s giant clearance which caused panic in the Chester backline which led to the corner and Macclesfield’s eventual winner.
Matheson 8 - tigerish, lung-sapping performance from the full-back who covered so much ground in defence and attack up against a strong opponent in Woodthorpe. I particularly loved Matheson throwing himself into consecutive full-blooded challenges and the ball breaking to Buckley-Ricketts who almost set Kay clear.
Heathcote 8 - limped off with what looked like a hamstring strain with ten minutes to go and must be a major doubt for Kidderminster. Was back to his best against Chester as he mopped up everything at the back and showed an excellent passing range to get the Silkmen on the front foot. Booked.
Borthwick-Jackson 8 - CBJ’s mark would have been higher had he not got turned inside out by Woods for Chester’s goal. He was also guilty of a loose pass to Dawson on the stroke of half-time which led to Ravenhill making a great low save which was subsequently flagged for offside. Outside of that CBJ was excellent, and notably took responsibility in the second half to drive us forward from the back. So unlucky not to score a wordly with his rasping 30-yarder which rattled the bar, then he made a crucial block at the other end to thwart a dangerous Chester attack.
Lacey 7 - was caught too far up the pitch for Chester’s goal and stranded in no man’s land when Mottley-Henry won the flick on which led to Woods scoring. Regrouped well after that and played some nice passes on occasion and defended solidly.
Osborne 7.5 - nothing flash, but quietly effective throughout the game breaking up play with some well-timed challenges and interceptions. Kept possession ticking over. A calming influence on a tense evening.
Edmondson 7 - grew into the game after a fairly anonymous first half in a game where I hoped he’d grab it by the scruff of the neck. Went close with a couple of efforts in the second half - a hooked shot from Kay’s assist and a rebounded shot over the bar after Borthwick-Jackson had struck the woodwork.
Dawson 8 - a more controlled and measured performance from the returning skipper than we’ve come to expect. He kept his head in the cauldron like atmosphere and was neat and tidy in possession, helping to keep Chester penned in for the majority of the second half. Was involved in the build-up to Macc’s equaliser, almost won it with a fine drive in injury time and made a vital block to take the sting out of Roberts’ shot as Chester pressed for a winner themselves.
Duffy 8 - sign him up for ten more years, never mind five! A crucial goal and assist from Macclesfield’s magician who ironically blew hot and cold outside of those huge moments. His crossing / final ball aim was mostly out of sync, but he was always the Silkmen’s likeliest attacking source having gone close with two attempts in the first half. A superb first-time pass for Kay’s equaliser.
Buckley-Ricketts 7.5 - stepped on the gas in the second half and asked more questions of Chester. Won corners, had a fine curling effort which went wide and almost played Kay in with a pinpoint through ball after Matheson had regained possession. When he plays in fifth gear and puts it all on the line IBR is a real handful.
Kay 8 - justified Rooney’s faith with a tireless, unselfish display upfront and got his rewards by converting a brilliant equalising goal. Ran the channels well and was always looking to find a teammate with a clever pass to unlock a robust Chester defence. Laid on an excellent flick for Edmondson who almost made it 2-1. With strikers James Gale and Anjola Popoola currently out-of-sorts, Kay looks our most effective forward weapon right now providing he can maintain his discipline!