Macc 2 Gainsborough 0 - report & player ratings
Silkmen go 4pts clear at top of NPL
Macclesfield made it seven wins in a row and stretched their unbeaten streak to 13 games with a comfortable 2-0 win over Gainsborough at the Leasing.com stadium last night. In doing so, Robbie Savage’s men opened up a four-point gap over nearest rivals Worksop (who didn’t play) at the top of the Northern Premier Leage, albeit having played a game more.
The Silkmen made two changes to the team who leathered Basford 5-1 at the weekend – Recent centurion Lewis Fensome deputised at centre half for the injured Sam Heathcote, and Danny Elliott retuned as the lone striker with D’Mani Mellor occupying the ‘number 10’ role with Alex Curran dropping to the bench. Curran was joined by Edy Maieco, Tom Clare, Courtey Duffus and new signing from FC United of Manchester, Dontai Gabidon.
The Silkmen’s bench highlighted how threadbare the squad currently is in defence and midfield due to the current absence of injured trio Brandon Lee, Elliott Whitehouse and Danny Whitehead. Worryingly, Lee has been sent for a scan on the injury he sustained against South Shields in the FA Cup qualifier so may not be set for a quick return.
Fortunately, we have the ever dependable Neil Kengni who can deputise at left-back, as can new recruit Gabidon. Encouragingly, Whitehead took part in the pre-match warm-up with the rest of the squad so is on the road to recovery. As did centre-back Scott Holding who is back from a loan spell at Wythenshawe.
First half
The visitor’s made the livelier start with prolific striker Declan Howe stinging Max Dearnley’s hands with a rasping effort inside two minutes which he diverted over the bar. Howe, who has eight goals already this season, is quick off the mark and was looking to get on the end of some long, hopeful punts forward from Gainsborough. Howe was a handful throughout and harried the usually accomplished Laurent Mendy and Paul Dawson into mistakes, but couldn’t find the target after winning possession.
Other than a low John Ronney effort from distance (easily gathered) and a Neil Kengni cross which evaded Danny Elliott, Macc were not carving out any clearcut openings. But the league-leaders went ahead from a clever set-play after 21 minutes. Tre Pemberton was hauled down on the edge of the penalty area after a lung-bursting run down the right wing. The subsequent free-kick was side-footed by Rooney into the path of D’Mani Mellor who cleverly dropped short to receive it. D’Mani’s first-time effort was partially blocked and there was Luke Duffy to slam home the rebound from two yards out. 1-0 Macc.
The Silkmen almost doubled their lead five minutes later following some great play by the menacing Justin Johnson. JJ’s run took him into the box and his cross was flicked towards goal by Duffy but his fizzed effort went narrowly wide.
Macc duly put daylight between the teams on 34 minutes with a welcome goal from Danny Elliott. Danny showed nice link-up play in the build-up to release Dawson into the box who was tripped for an obvious penalty. And it was Elliott (rather than Rooney) who stepped up to convert the spot-kick, low into the bottom corner of the net after a stuttered run-up. Danny’s relief was obvious – this was just his third goal following his summer move from Scunthorpe and first in nine games. Hopefully this does his confidence the world of good and he can go on a goalscoring run now. 2-0 Macc.
Macc had a swagger about them now. Dawson was popping up all over the pitch, Mendy was venturing more into midfield and JJ was on the prowl. A sublime ball from Daws found JJ who needed no invitation to shoot but his powerful lofted effort was just a fraction over the upright.
Second half
Macc were effectively in cruise control and this was demonstrated in a lacklustre second half display which left Robbie Savage an agitated figure in the dugout.
The home slide were sloppy all over the park. A beautiful crossfield ball by Rooney was miscontrolled by Tre when he’d gotten into an advanced position. Then Johnson earned a ticking off from Rooney and Dawson for not releasing the ball quick enough, leading him to being dispossessed and earning a booking after a lunging tackle in his attempt to reclaim the ball. Rooney himself joined JJ in the book on the hour.
Macc appeared to go 4-3-3 with Duffy and JJ playing either side of Elliott but the Silkmen couldn’t get anything going in the final third, whilst at the back they were guilty of giving cheap free-kicks away which Gainsborough were unable to capitalise on. The away side looked most likely to trouble the scoresheet but could only flash a couple of efforts wide.
Savage switched things up on 65 minutes, bringing on Curran for Elliott and restoring Mellor to the central striking role he has impressed so much in since joining the club. But it was Gainsborough who continued to seek a way back, and this time a 20-yard drive had Dearnley scampering across his line to push the ball out for a corner.
Macc’s second half openings were few and far between. However, Curran ought to have done better in space when Kengni’s well-executed pass inside put him in a great position. Curran took his eye off the ball though and the opportunity was gone. More clumsy play, this time by Fensome close to the corner flag, earned another ticking off by Savage who seemed infuriated by his team’s increasingly disjointed performance.
As is becoming customary, the Silkmen Head Coach utilised his bench and made a double substitution on 72 minutes to liven things up. New signing Gabidon was handed a home-debut to replace Kengni at left-back, and Maieco replaced Johnson and occupied a right-wing position. It was Tre Pemberton who finally woke Macc up from their slumber, breaking defensive lines to feed Duffy who failed to trouble the keeper from 20 yards in what was the home side’s first effort of the second half.
Macc didn’t kick on from here though and Gainsborough had another effort from a glancing header which was off target. The game was petering towards a conclusion, however there was some late ‘drama’. Dawson appeared to have an exchange of words with Savage and seconds later was promptly subbed and replaced by Courney Duffus in the 90th minute.
I didn’t see the ‘incident’ as I was scribbling on my pad, but the mood between the Silkmen’s captain and head coach appeared somewhat frosty as Daws took a seat on the bench. I think this amounts to a storm in a teacup and highlighted two passionate competitors who were frustrated by what they were witnessing which fell short of Macc’s high standards.
Full-time: Macc 2 Gainsborough 0
Attendance: 2,472 (including 29 from Gainsborough)
Sponsor’s player of the match: Justin Johnson
Player ratings
Dearnley 6.5 – Max didn’t have that much to do, but he was alert to tip over Howe’s early strike and was at full stretch to smother another shot late on. Dearnley required physio treatment after this but was able to resume. Silkmen supporters will recall Dearnley being in discomfort in the latter stages at FC United last week, so let’s hope he’s not carrying an injury. With Max being our only senior keeper following the departure of Tom Scott, Savage will be trying to draft in cover asap.
Pemberton 6.5 – According to Jack Underwood from macclesfieldarchives.co.uk, Tre chalked up his 100th appearance in a Silkmen shirt against Gainsborough. This wasn’t his most marauding display, however his energy won the free-kick which led to Macc’s opener and he was one of the few players who attempted to push forward in the second half.
Fensome 6 – Started off well and was solid in central defence, but lost his way in a ragged second half. Got bullied once in a sandwich with two Gainsborough attackers, conceded a needless foul by the corner flag which earned him a reprimand by Savage, and gave away the ball with an aimless long pass. A mixed bag from Lewis.
Mendy 7 – Typical Mendy performance in his 150th Silkmen appearance (according to macclesfieldarchives.co.uk) as he confidently strode forward out of defence to push Macc up the pitch. Nearly got caught out once when dallying in possession, but was generally assured and in command, even filling in for Dawson in midfield when Daws ventured forward.
Kengni 6 – Steady, if unspectacular. Defensively sound, but didn’t get forward or link up with Johnson or Duffy who frequently switched sides. Kengni did play one excellent ball to Curran which should have led to an opening, but Curran miscontrolled the ball. Likely to continue at left-back with Brandon Lee set for another extended spell on the sidelines.
Dawson 7 – In his element in the first half and seemed able to drift wherever he wanted from his starting central midfield position. Almost got caught out when taking liberties with Mendy at the back but his strength saw him recover. Great run and touch saw him earn the penalty for Macc’s second, but went off the boil after the break.
Rooney 7 – Not vintage Rooney, but as always was at the heart of everything good about the Silkmen’s play. His quick free-kick created the opening for Mellor which resulted in Macc’s opener, he had a couple of decent long-range efforts and almost played Pemberton in with a sublime crossfield pass. Picked up a booking for his troubles, but also showed good awareness to track back and snuff out a Gainsborough opportunity late on.
Duffy 6.5 – In the right place, at the right time to convert Macc’s opener and almost added a second with a deft flick. Worked hard, always comfortable on the ball but largely anonymous after the interval. Frequently swapped sides with Johnson, but looks more effective down the right. Has the quality to influence games at this level more – could this be achieved by him playing centrally?
Mellor 6.5 – Has been a breath of fresh air since his arrival but wasn’t able to influence the game as a ‘number 10’ compared to when operating as Macc’s main striker. Was alert and intelligent to drop deep so Rooney could pass to him to shoot which led to Macc’s opening goal. That was his only effort though and there was little synergy between him and Danny Elliott.
Johnson 6.5 – Named the sponsor’s MOM, presumably for his lively first half display. Was the most likely player to unlock the key to breaking down Gainsborough, either from his direct running and willingness to shoot from distance. Not as effective in the second half and no surprise he was subbed off after collecting a booking.
Elliott 6.5 – A much-needed goal, even if it was from the penalty spot. Showed good hold-up play and awareness to release Dawson into the box which led to him being fouled for the resultant pen. Not much to get excited about apart from that and was subbed, as is becoming customary, after 65 minutes. In his defence, Elliott received little service.
Subs:
Curran 5.5 – Made little impression and failed to control an incisive pass in the final third from Kengni which could have led to a chance. Still working his way back from injury is struggling to recreate the highs of last season.
Gabidon 6.5 – Decent debut on for Kengni at left-back. Had one effort over the bar and then showed excellent awareness and tenacity to sprint over to right-back to cover when Gainsborough got forward to thwart a clear strike on goal.
Maieco 6 – Possibly unlucky not to start after his two goals from the bench against South Shields and Basford. Replaced Johnson on the right wing but failed to make an impression with Macc out-of-sorts. Worth a look in the number 10 role?
Duffus: no rating – On for Dawson just before the final whistle.