Back on the goal trail

The Silkmen came away from Spotland with a point today and whilst second best in periods of the game Ian Brightwell's team is still unbeaten on the road.

There were a number of changes from the team which won during the week and it seemed to take the Silkmen a while to settle. It was the home team that could have taken the lead after Jimmy McNulty lost the ball inside his own half leaving Chris Dagnall with the ball. He was able to run on into the area but out came Tommy Lee who made himself big and was able to get a hand to the ball. The resulting corner was also dealt with by the impressive Lee.

Rochdale had another good chance to take the lead after Glen Murray ran onto the ball and from just inside the area he tried to chip the rushing out Lee. The ball looked to be going in but Luke Dimech was able to clear off the line. It was no surprise when Dale did take the lead, the opener coming after 15 minutes. From a quick free kick by David Perkins, Adam Rundle on the left put the ball in low across the six yard box. Sliding in at near post was Jimmy McNulty but instead of his clearance going out for corner, Jimmy watched it go into his own net. 1-0

Macc seemed to wake up after the goal and took only five minutes to draw level. A ball by Terry Dunfield towards the penalty area found Martin Gritton who controlled the ball well only to get a push in the back by Rochdale centre half Guy Branston. The referee was on the spot to award a penalty. Having missed his last spot kick Kevin McIntyre took the ball planted the kick into the top corner of the net, giving Dale Keeper James Spencer no chance to save it. 1-1

After the goal the Silkmen started playing their passing game but both Adam Murray and Terry Dunfield were closed down very quickly and never had the time they wanted on the ball. This pressure led to Dunfield losing possession in the middle of the park. Adam Le Fondre ran on with the ball and his pass found Glen Murray who took too long to shoot, giving Richard Edghill time to get back and knock the ball away for a corner,From the resulting corner the ball was played to the back post and was met by the head of Glenn Murray but his effort was saved on the line by Lee.

The second half started the same way as the first with the Silkmen taking some time to get into the game but once they did the side continued to try playing the passing game and had a chance to take the lead. When a free kick wasn't cleared by Dale the ball found its way to Francis Green but the striker couldn't get any power on his header which was straight at Spencer.

The game was getting heated at times and players from both team found their names going into the referee book due to late or reckless tackles. Adam Le Fondre had a good chance to score but his flick with the outside of his foot went just wide after a great ball by Tom Kennedy. The home side had another opportunity to score after the Silkmen failed to clear their line, the ball falling to Glenn Murray inside the six yard box but he somehow put the ball wide of the goal.

Macclesfield made their first sub with just over fifteen minutes left with Simon Wiles coming on for Levi Reid.

The Silkmen showed they can counter attack when Dunfield broke quickly, and after a quick one two with Danny Thomas saw his effort fly just wide.

As the game went on both teams looked to play attacking football but there was no end product in front of goal. The Silkmen second sub came in the second minute of injury time when Francis Green was taken off and replaced by Gareth Evans.

As the final whistle blow the Silkmen looked the happier team leaving with a point as overall apart from the goal James Spencer was not really troubled by the Silkmen.

Dean Bamford