Now that’s BOTTLE - Macc are going up!!
Silkmen crowned NPL champions and promoted to the National League North
Excuse any typos. It was tense, at times frustrating, but ultimately thrilling, emotional and throughly deserved for this magnificent club. Macclesfield FC are the Northern Premier League champions and promoted to the National League North. And not only that, we are the first football team to win promotion in England’s seven tiers under the expert guidance of Head Coach Robbie Savage.
The Silkmen had to come from behind after trailing to a 38th minute strike from Bamber Bridge. But a rousing second half display, which brought two goals in eight minutes from a wonder strike from Laurent Mendy and Danny Elliott’s deft finish, turned the game on its head.
The final whistle brought incredible scenes of celebration as some supporters from the bumper 4,724 crowd spilled onto the pitch to congratulate their heroes.
It’s been 320 long days since Macclesfield lost to Marine in the Northern Premier League play-off final. Ridiculed by many and labelled ‘bottle boys’, the dissenters were out in force once more when Savage controversially replaced Michael Clegg in the managerial hot seat.
Little did they know, but little did WE know either about Savage’s managerial qualities which have galvanised the club, the dressing room and the whole town. Savage has assembled a tremendous squad of hardworking, talented and humble players who have etched their names in history.
League champions with six games to spare. 20 points clear of Worksop, and well on course for 100 points and 100 goals which will be the icing on the cake in this unforgettable season.
Savage needed all of his man management skills to regroup his troops at half-time as they fell behind to Bamber Bridge who are fighting for their lives to avoid relegation.
The social media hecklers were warming up their keypads to mock Macclesfield again having taken great delight at the club failing last season. But not today. THIS team is made of sterner stuff, as they have demonstrated throughout the season.
The response in the second half was outstanding. Every blade of grass was covered as the Silkmen swarmed forward like men possessed in pursuit of their destiny.
Danny Elliott hit the post when through on the goal but the Silkmen were not going to be denied. A blockbuster strike from 25 yards from Laurent Mendy - his second in as many games - raised the roof at the Leasing.com stadium as Macc produced an inspirational equaliser.
John Rooney could, and arguably should, have made it 2-1 moments later, but he couldn’t keep his lobbed effort down when through on goal as the ball drifted agonisingly over the bar.
But it was party mood on 68 minutes when Macc did finally take the lead. Tre Pemberton’s centre asked a fair bit of Danny Elliott, but Elliott kept his composure when forced wide and dinked the ball over the onrushing keeper which saw the ball trickle over the line. League goal 29 for Danny who remains something of an underrated gem for the Silkmen.
It might have been more comfortable had substitute Diego De Girolamo converted his one-on-one opportunity, but the on loan striker from Buxton failed to get enough pop on his effort and the Brig keeper parried it away.
However, once Macc got their noses in front they never looked like surrendering their lead as they totally dominated the visitor’s in the second half.
Three promotions in four seasons. Up to the sixth tier of English football. How high is Macclesfield FC’s ceiling? Under Savage, his brilliant coaching staff and formidable players, anything is possible now.
Match stats
Shots: Macclesfield 19 (10 on target), Bamber Bridge 5 (4 on target)
Corners: Macc 8, Bamber Bridge 2
18-yard line entries; Macc 32, Bamber Bridge 10
Player ratings
Dearnley 9 - produced a brilliant save to turn a fierce shot onto the post to deny the visitor’s in the first half. No chance with the goal, but claimed a big cross out of the air in injury time to calm our nerves.
Pemberton 8 - struggled in the first half as Brig targeted him and Etaluku, forcing Tre into some uncharacteristic mistakes. But he was superb in the second half as he attacked at will down the right and produced the assist for Elliott’s winner.
Dawson 9 - captain’s performance. Kept his composure despite being subjected to rough treatment from Brig’s giant number 9. Headed and tackled everything. Was pushed into midfield in the second half and did magnificently to keep the ball alive in the build up to Mendy’s equaliser.
Fensome 8.5 - put his body on the line and made a vital block when Brig got in behind in the first half. Drove the team on from the back in the second half and almost scored with a header from a corner.
Kengni 9 - Neil, Neil, Neil f*****g Kengni! What a performance. Bombed forward with pace and power down the left flank and produced a sensational run and cross which deserved a goal. Outstanding.
Mendy 9 - sensational strike to bring Macc level. Was literally all over the pitch. Tackles, runs, attempts on goal. A brilliant all round midfield performance.
Rooney 8 - in the thick of things and almost brought the house down when through on goal just after Mendy equalised.
Etaluku 7 - had plenty of the ball in the first half but couldn’t quite find an end product. Subbed early in the second half, but the youngster has been in excellent form lately.
Duffy 8.5 - began on the left, switched to the right, then back to the left again. Really upped the ante in the second half and found extra gears which epitomised Macc’s second half fightback.
Mellor 8 - phenomenal workrate from a very unselfish player. Switched to right midfield in the second half and provided excellent support to Pemberton.
Elliott 8 - didn’t think it was going to be his day when he missed decent chances in the first half and hit the post just after the break. But like all good strikers he kept going, and arguably scored with his toughest chance of the game. 29 league goals now for super Danny.
Subs;
Menayese 8 - came on for Etaluku which allowed Dawson to push into midfield. Dominated at the back and provided welcome aggression.
De Girolamo: no rating - almost grabbed his first Silkmen goal but saw his one-on-one effort saved.
Heathcote: no rating - on for Rooney late on to protect our lead