After the Lord Mayor's Parade - the scoreline rather flattered the visitors from Trafford as the referee gave them the benefit of two penalties. Michael Briscoe scored a late consolation for the Silkmen, but it was too late.
A cold wintry afternoon at the Moss Rose for the Pontin's Holidays League encounter between Macclesfield Town Reserves and the Manchester United Third Team. Macc lined up with Wilson in goal, a defence of Ndiwa, Briscoe and Teague. Midfield of Captain Carr, Moogan, Morgan, Jones and Smart and Owens and Rooney up front. Neil Ross has now departed and Jassim Fayadh returned to Iraq for compassionate reasons. Macclesfield still included Brian Moogan in midfield and the new triallist Kangana Ndiwa, who spent a year at Bolton Wanderers which included loan periods at Oldham Athletic and Rochdale.
There was an early chance for Smart as Owens and Rooney linked up and Rooney could have shot but unselfishly set up Smart who was in space, but Smart's shot went wide. The excellent Moss Rose pitch suited the visitor's attractive passing style and with the Macc defence sitting back, there was plenty to admire. The Silkmen's more direct style was soon under control by the visitors with Howard and Tierney dealing with the big ball forward for Rooney.
On 10 minutes, Calliste? broke down the left for the visitors, beat Ndiwa and found R Jones?, his shot producing a fine full length diving save from Wilson. Then it was Timm making a mazy run and shot that was wide. The two wide players for Macc were finding space and it was Smart on the left putting in a fine cross that Carr on the back post couldn't quite turn in as a defender got the ball away for a corner.
As Morgan slipped, a Man Utd player got forward into the space and shot wide. Then it was Neumayr trying a run and cut inside for a shot straight at Wilson. Macc then broke forward with Carr running with the ball but his pass was bad which summed up the Silkmen at this point as they were just not getting their passes to a blue shirt.
On 23 minutes, Moogan, Carr and Morgan worked together to set up Carr but his shot was blocked. Three minutes later and it was Owens on the right and working with Moogan before putting a ball in for Rooney. His knock in was goal bound, but was stopped by a keeper's leg and the ball was got away by the visitors. R Jones and Tierney having a little difference of opinion that Rooney had to break up and the referee spoke to the two teammates.
On 30 minutes there was a long ball forward by the visitors and Timm was allowed to run on for it, but Teague managed to do just enough to put the Man Utd player off and Wilson then was able to block Timm's shot. At the other end Owens was causing the danger making space and feeding Carr down the right, but his ball in was too near Heaton.
On 33 minutes, the visitors took the lead. LEE MARTIN was given too much space and time and he was able to pick his spot and put in an fine unstoppable shot past Wilson. Five minutes later and a good ball in from the right for the visitors found Timm with a free header but he couldn't connect fully and the ball went wide.
Just before half-time, the visitors doubled their lead. Djordjic was on goal and produced a good blocking save from Wilson. The ball was not cleared well and as the visitors worked it back into the Macc penalty area, an infringement occurred and the ref pointed to the penalty spot. R Jones stepped up and scored and the ref ordered it retaken. Second time it was converted again and this time the ref indicated goal.
Into the second half and Macc started to press forward. On 49 minutes and Carr in a good position but he wanted too much time and went down clutching his leg under pressure but the ref was unimpressed. Two minutes later and Macc did get the ball into the visitor's goal. Morgan collecting an uncleared ball and cutting inside before beating Heaton, but the ref had spotted something and the goal wasn't given.
On 56 minutes and Rooney found space and a shot on goal produced a good one armed save from Heaton. 61 minutes and Timm was allowed to run through and beat Wilson, but Teague saved on the line. Then it was Rooney breaking through and closing in on goal with two defenders breathing down his neck, he was unable to get his shot on goal to his frustration. Macc made their first substitution, bringing on another triallist Misbah for Morgan. Misbah went upfront as Macc went with three front men. 6 minutes later and the second substitution was made as Bailey came on for Ndiwa. Bailey was nearly straight into the action, J Jones getting a corner. Macc were now pressing forward with numbers. A cross in from a free-kick found Teague but his header was wide. 2 minutes later a similar situation reulted in Teague heading wide again.
On 75 minutes and DAVID FOX down the right for the visitors was allowed to run on unmarked and a fine cross goal shot beat Wilson for the third goal for the visitors. Five minutes later and Brackenridge came on for Morgan. 83 minutes and Macc did manage to get a consolation. A shot in from J Jones? on the right was only parried and with two Macc players after the ball, MICHAEL BRISCOE was able to force it over the line with a header.
The game continued to ebb and flow and there was a late chance for the visitors as Wilson had to get off his line quickly to block the ball and took a boot. At the other end Carr tried with a long range effort, but Heaton saved. Then as full time approached, the visitors got forward in numbers and although the chance was stopped as the ball ran free a challenge from a Macc player resulted in the ref pointing to the penalty spot again, MARKUS NEUMAYR making no mistake.
The two triallist were both big lads with obvious abilities who got into the game, but perhaps this wasn't the game to make judgements.
Ref: R L Shoebridge
Attendance: I'd say about 120 again
All times approximate.
http://www.macclesfieldtown-mad.co.uk/news/loadroll.asp?cid=ED12&id=187463