Performance of the season? Gainsborough 0 Macc 4
Clinical Silkmen back to their best
If you thought Macclesfield’s grip on the Northern Premier League title was loosening, think again. The Silkmen produced their best performance of the season to ruthlessly slay a Gainsborough side who are accustomed to causing upsets against more fancied teams.
But while the home side might have beaten National League and National League North clubs York, Boston, Kettering and Chester in cup competitions this season, they were simply outclassed 4-0 by a clinical and ruthless Macclesfield who made a good team look ordinary.
Make no mistake, the margin of victory didn’t flatter the Silkmen. And make no mistake, despite the best efforts of Guiseley in second place who stretched their unbeaten run to 15 matches, Macc are champions elect of the Northern Premier League.
It’s difficult to know what would have pleased Head Coach Robbie Savage the most.
Back-to-back clean sheets and how Macc stood up to Gainsborough’s set pieces
The debut of new central defender Rollin Menayese, who along with the rest of the Silkmen defence kept Gainsborough’s hot shot striker Declan Howe quiet all afternoon
The sublime quality and sensational goals scored by Luke Duffy and Danny Elliott
The impact of sub Neil Kengni who produced an inch perfect assist for D’Mani Mellor’s fourth goal
The successful tactical switch to play Laurent Mendy back in midfield
The blood and thunder defensive displays of the ever reliable Lewis Fensome and Sam Heathcote, which meant that the suspended Tre Pemberton and Paul Dawson were not missed
From Luke Duffy’s exquisite strike after just three minutes, to D’Mani Mellor making it 4-0 with ten minutes remaining, this was a professional performance from Macc which simply had the lot.
Player ratings
Dearnley 8 - clean sheet no.15 for our tremendous no.1. Showed exemplary handling from crosses and made one brilliant reactionary save in the first half to beat away a fierce strike when it fell to a Gainsborough player on the edge of the area.
Fensome 9 - I just love Lewis Fensome. Played right back today in place of the suspended Tre Pemberton and was brilliant - a man you always want alongside you in the trenches. Won his duels, dominated serially, flew into tackles and bombed forward tirelessly. Magnificent.
Menayese 8.5 - Cool, calm and collected in what was a very assured debut from Macc’s new centre back signing. Perhaps not as dominant aerially as I may have expected purely on today’s showing, but he’s a ‘proper defender’ who excelled as the game wore on. At one point he made three defensive blocks inside 90 seconds to prevent Gainsborough from getting a shot on target, twice with sliding tackles and once via a diving header. Read the game well and showed excellent defensive cover to snuff out danger in the full-back areas when needed.
Heathcote 8 - brilliant from big Sam. Crisp passing on the deck and some lovely, accurate long balls out wide. Covered well and kept things simple. Just one stray header in the first half which led to led Gainsborough winning a free-kick just outside the box, fortunately which came to nothing.
Lee 7 - substituted at half-time for Kengni after a good 45 minutes. Not sure if this was precautionary in light of his recent injury battles, or if he picked up a knock. Some Silkmen supporters thought Brandon received a yellow card in the first half but I’m unable to verify this as I write.
Rooney 7.5 - benefited from the energy of Mendy alongside him in the middle of the park as he classily controlled the midfield. Almost caught the Gainsborough keeper off guard with a clever free-kick which allmost sneaked in at the near post.
Mendy 8 - back in midfield and it looks like another tactical masterstroke from Savage. Mobile and tireless, but also disciplined in his defensive duties in what was a very mature and professional performance.
Etaluku 7 - known as a flying winger but it was his defensive qualities which shone today. Tracked back well notably on two occasions, the latter in which he sprinted to be the last line of defence to brilliantly thwart a Gainsborough counter attack after Macc had squandered possession from their own corner. Crossing in the final third was disappointing though.
Mellor 7.5 - a little quieter today by his own magnificent standards. But worked tremendously hard as always. Scored with a deft header to notch his 15th goal of the season, and almost played Danny Elliott in for a chance to bag his hat-trick late on but slightly overcooked his pass.
Duffy 9.5 - what a talent. Set the tone for the Silkmen’s performance with a precision strike to give us the lead from 25 yards. Claimed an assist with his heel for Danny Elliott’s first and Macc’s second goal. And even when the Silkmen were 3-0 up, Duffy was racing back and snapping at the heels of the Gainsborough midfield to regain possession for his teammates. Such a selfless performance which oozed quality.
Elliott 9.5 - two more goals to make it 27 for the season. But oh my, what A FINISH to make it 3-0. Picked up a flick from Menayese on the edge of the box, showed incredible control, did a 360 degree turn and lashed the ball into the roof of the net. Goal of the season so far?
Subs:
Kengni 8 - replaced Brandon Lee at half-time and typically made his presence felt with some galloping runs forward. Produced an inch perfect cross for Mellor to score Macc’s fourth of the afternoon.
Whitehead no rating - replaced Duffy on 77
Curran no rating - replaced Elliott on 83
Gabbidon no rating - replaced Etaluku on 83. Great to see him back from injury - his first appearance since Blyth Spartans in November
Johnson no rating - replaced Mellor on 90
Match stats
Shots on target: Macc 7, Gainsborough 3
Shots off target: Macc 1, Gainsborough 3
Corners: Macc 1, Gainsborough 7