Magnificent Macc slay South Shields
Macc’s heroic cup exploits continue
Magnificent. What an outstanding team performance. Who says we can’t have our (cup) cake and eat it? (See what I did there?).
Macclesfield produced their best away performance of the season to beat South Shields 1-0 away in the third round of the FA Trophy, thanks to Luke Duffy’s goal on the stroke of half-time.
I can’t find enough superlatives to praise the players, manager and coaching staff, and our supporters. Three away games in six days against Slough in the FA Cup, King’s Lynn in the league and against South Shields today in the FA Trophy. Around 1,500 miles clocked up.
The mental and physical fortitude this squad has shown to emerge with two wins and a draw is exceptional.
Today’s win was thoroughly deserved. This was no smash and grab, but a wonderfully measured and controlled performance against a talented side who were not far off their full-strength side.
Not many teams will beat South Shields twice this season. And yet the Silkmen have now triumphed 1-0 over the Mariners at home in the league and now away in the Trophy!
Sure South Shields looked pleasant on the ball, but the Silkmen were simply more effective in possession. We played with passion and controlled aggression throughout, whilst being a constant threat out wide as we repeatedly ruffled the home side’s feathers.
Rooney’s winning mentality
This was a game we were supposed to lose at a whimper. Play the kids and rest some first-teamers, we said. Not a cat in hells chance was Rooney going to oblige and roll over.
The Silkmen boss wants to WIN EVERY GAME, and we should love him for it! Roons still made seven changes to Wednesday’s starting line-up against King Lynn, but this was very much a brazen team selection with Buckley-Ricketts, Johnson and Kay on the pitch from the off.
We didn’t sit on our 1-0 lead either and could, and should, have have doubled our advantage. Substitute Danny Elliott hit the post, and JJ blazed wide from IBR’a cut back.
Macc only had to survive one major scare midway through the second half. The otherwise impressive Luke Matheson lost his footing and winger McGuerk nipped in. But Max Dearnley was equal to his effort and made an excellent low save to preserve our lead.
Double booked
Today’s unexpected triumph presents one quandary. The fourth round of the FA Trophy will take place on 10 January, the same day as the Silkmen’s FA Cup third round clash at home to Crystal Palace.
Maybe we can play Palace at lunchtime and our FA Trophy opponents in the evening ;-).
Player ratings
Dearnley 8 - rock solid and made a crucial save at 1-0 to preserve our lead in the second half, as well as preventing South Shields taking the lead early on when coming off his line smartly and saving with his legs.
Matheson 7.5 - his first appearance since Spennymoor in August when he suffered a hamstring tear. Did really well in his return against a tricky winger in Murphy. Dogged, won headers showing a great leap in the air and maintained good concentration. Lost his footing in the second half which led to one major chance for the home side, but thankfully he and we went unpunished.
Menayese 7.5 - neat and tidy, won most of his battles and looked assured. Presented one heart in the mouth moment when getting into a tangle off the ball with South Shields striker Scott, but thankfully the referee showed some common sense and only gave Rollin a booking.
Dos Santos 8 - take a bow, young man. Cool, calm and collected playing at left back which isn’t the midfielder’s strongest position. He was so assured on the ball and gave great support to our centre backs. Didn’t put a foot wrong.
Dawson 9 - brilliant performance by the captain whose passing range at centre half was exquisite. From neat short balls, to arching long range cross field passes of more than 30 yards, Dawson’s balls were consistently accurate. He defended extremely well too, reading all of South Shields’ attacks and maintaining concentration and discipline.
Griffiths 6.5 - solid if unspectacular. Took a nasty whack and had to be replaced by Whitehead for the final 20 minutes. Didn’t let us down, but treated the ball like a hot potato at times.
Duffy 9 - his best performance for a long time. This was the Luke Duffy we know and love. Playing alongside Griffiths in central midfield, Duffy was chief creator and conductor. Played a great ball over the top for Buckley-Ricketts who almost rounded the keeper and scored in the first half. Then Duffy scored at the second attempt to give us the lead. Was also prominent after the break.
Johnson 8.5 - JJ was bang on it today. Harrassed South Shields’ defenders into mistakes and was a live wire all afternoon. Laid on a peach of a chance for IBR which was spurned in the first half, then JJ was guilty of missing a sitter himself which would have put the game to bed. But we can forgive him for that. He was a constant thorn in South Shields’ side and instrumental in the build-up to Duffy’s winner.
Buckley-Ricketts 7 - mixed bag. Missed a golden chance to make it 1-0 and struggled to impose himself in the first half. But kept going, worked hard and was much better after the break.
Kay 7 - started in a deeper midfield role but then switched with Duffy which seemed to benefit both players. Gradually became more effective as he played intricate give and gos with Johnson. Had one decent strike on goal before being withdrawn on the hour.
McLeod 6.5 - if I’m honest I thought he could have worked a bit harder. He has one hell of a shot on him though as evidenced by one 30 yard effort which flew straight at the keeper after Duffy wriggled clear and set him up. Did show outstanding skill in the second half to take the ball down on his chest and then slip a crisp pass to JJ. The boy’s a talent but I want to see more.
Subs:
Elliott - in the thick of the action from the off. Four efforts on goal, one that struck the post. Also laid on a great chance for JJ which should have been converted (* I originally thought the chance had been laid on by IBR).
Mellor - played right wing and was his usual workaholic self
Fensome - solid and dependable when replacing the tiring Matheson
Edmondson - got his foot on the ball and won a dangerous free kick with some smart footwork in the final third.
Whitehead - steadied the ship after Griffiths could no longer continue