Stairway to Hebburn thanks to big Sam’s late leveller
Silkmen late fightback sends them 17pts clear
It wasn’t pretty, and for long periods not very effective either. But Sam Heathcote’s cracking finish four minutes from time rescued a point for the Silkmen away at Hebburn.
Trailing 1-0 at the break after a dreadful first half display, Robbie Savage rang the changes. Captain Paul Dawson and Sean Etaluku were replaced at half-time by Neil Kengni and Brandon Lee as Macc’s head coach ditched his 3-4-1-2 shape for his customary 4-2-3-1 formation.
It paid off, certainly territorialy if not in terms of clear cut chances created, as Macc dominated possession in the second half with Hebburn forced to defend deep in their own box.
Cross after cross pinged into the home team’s penalty area, but the ball just wouldn’t drop to a man in a pink shirt for a clear sight of goal. It looked like it wasn’t going to be our day until Macc were eventually rewarded for their sheer persistence.
Big Sam Heathcote, on as a makeshift striker, will rightly get the credit for a smartly taken goal after his low drive was hit with force into the bottom corner of the net to send the travelling supporters into ecstasy.
But Macc owe a huge debt of gratitude to D’Mani Mellor’s athleticism after he did superbly to keep the ball alive in the build-up. John Rooney played a heavy pass at pace into Mellor on the edge of the box - D’Mani at full stretch not only got the ball under control, but had the awareness to cushion it back to Heathcote who slotted home. It’s the little details like that which can make a big difference to the eventual outcome.
And on that point it’s worth noting that Macc should have been dead and buried had Hebburn not missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 15 minutes from time. A howler from Max Dearnley saw him play a slack ball into the path of a Hebburn forward who had time and space to pick his spot. He duly did, but his shot was miraculously saved by Max who scrambled the ball to safety to atone for his error. It proved to be a pivotal moment in the game.
Ironically, Heathcote the hero may not even have made the bench today had Alex Curran been in the squad. But Curran has seemingly declared himself unavailable after stating his intention to leave the club in pursuit of first-team football. More on that another time.
The less said about the first half, the better. If I’m honest, I’m on the coach heading back from the game and I don’t have the energy to dissect everything that was wrong with how Macclesfield started the game. In short, we were second best, second to the second balls, lethargic, didn’t put a tackle in and provided poor service to Danny Elliott and D’Mani Mellor upfront.
In truth, Hebburn’s pitch easily cut up and wasn’t easy to play football on, but no excuses, they outfought Macc for the opening 30 minutes.
Hebburn almost took the lead on 42 minutes but their dinked effort trickled wide. But they made no mistake on the stroke of half-time. The Hebburn winger beat Tre Pemberton, whipped in a cross which was only partially cleared between Rollin Meyanese and Lewis Fensome. Sean Etaluku, playing at left wing-back, didn’t anticipate the danger and a Hebburn player reacted the quickest to pounce on the loose ball and guide it past Dearnley to put them 1-0 up. A lead they deserved.
But Macc fully deserved their point also after a much improved second half, full of endeavour as Savage threw caution to the wind and chucked bodies upfront.
And what a precious point it could prove to be following Guiseley’s second consecutive defeat at home to Lancaster. The Silkmen are now 17 points clear of Guiseley on 73 points who now only have one game in hand. Ashton, who had a fine victory over Ilkeston, are in third with 54 points. If they win their two games in hand on Macc they could leapfrog Guiseley and move within 13 points of the Silkmen who have 12 games remaining.
But both of our nearest challengers are running out of time to catch us as the Silkmen edge ever closer to promotion to the National League North. When you think of it like that, today was one point gained rather than two dropped.
Player ratings
Dearnley 7 - no chance with the goal, but almost gifted Hebburn a second with a slack clearance until he made a brilliant recovery save.
Dawson 7 - surprisingly withdrawn at half-time. Played fine on the right of a back three and tried to advance into midfield as the half wore on. One excellent piece of recovery defending snuffed out a Hebburn attack.
Fensome 7 - deservedly kept his place despite Pemberton returning and played in the centre of a back three in the first half. Made a lot of defensive clearances, but possibly could have done more to prevent Hebburn’s goal with Meyanese.
Meyanese 7.5 - as per Fensome, but was probably Macc’s best defender overall and did a lot of the dirty work. Came close to scoring with a header from a corner in the first half.
Pemberton 5.5 - back from suspension and had as poor a game as I can ever remember him having. Got beat by the winger in the build-up which led to Hebburn’s goal. Tried to get forward more in the second half but his crosses were food and drink for the opposition keeper. Tre did come close to scoring in the first half but his effort was smothered. A rare off day.
Rooney 8 - dragged the team up by their coattails in the second half and was the catalyst for Macc’s revival. Upped the tempo, was brave on the ball and led by example.
Mendy 6 - like Pemberton, an uncharacteristically off day. Needed to put his foot in more and dictate possession, particularly in the first half. Had some gallops forward after half-time but too often played the ball centrally instead of switching play out wide.
Etaluku 5 - not effective going forward or going back. Showed a lack of alertness and awareness not to sense danger for Hebburn’s goal, despite his protests to Fensome and Menayese. Rightly hooked at half-time.
Duffy 6.5 - switched from playing behind the strikers to the right of midfield in the second half and was much improved for it. Upped the ante which typified Macc turning the screw on Hebburn, but without any end product today.
Mellor 7.5 - largely anonymous for the first hour but kept plugging away and really upped his workrate which was instrumental in Macc carrying more of a threat. Absolutely brilliant control and poise to set up Heathcote for the equaliser.
Elliott 6.5 - toiled without reward - it just wouldn’t fall for Danny today as he fed off scraps. But no slight on his application.
Subs:
Heathcote 8 - you beauty Big Man. Made a big difference and took his goal like a seasoned striker.
Lee 7.5 - did well coming on at left back at half-time, lots of energy. Got to the byline twice but couldn’t find a Silkmen shirt.
Kengni 6.5 - a positive introduction full of bluster, but struggled with his footwork on the soft, bobbly pitch to maintain control of the ball when he did get on it.
Johnson 6.5 - JJ did ask questions of the Hebburn backline and his jinking runs definitely made the home defenders more anxious. Had a shout for a penalty but his appeal was dismissed by the referee.
Match stats
Efforts on target: Macc 2, Hebburn 2
Efforts off target: Macc 4, Hebburn 7
Corners: Macc 4, Hebburn 2