Macc make it nine unbeaten
MACCLESFIELD Town extended their unbeaten run to nine games after a comfortable victory against relegation-threatened Guiseley.
A fantastic header by substitute Paul Lewis in the second half ensured the Silkmen took all three points after a solid performance at the Moss Rose.
The first chance of the game fell to Reece Styche five minutes in as he found himself in some space on the edge of the Guiseley area, but his effort didn’t cause any real danger to Steven Drench.
Just a few minutes later Oliver Norburn’s free kick just outside the Silkmen box went inches over Ritchie Branagan’s net as both sides were looking to break the deadlock early on.
Jack Sampson nearly opened the scoring 20 minutes in when a clinical through ball by Danny Rowe saw Sampson oneon-one, but an excellent save by Drench ensured the score remained 0-0.
Sampson had another good opportunity to put the Silkmen ahead 10 minutes later as he was on the end of Styche’s cross, but another fine save by Drench denied Sampson.
Macc continued to press for an opener before the break, Holroyd played a fantastic ball over the top for Rowe, but his halfvolley from just outside the area fell inches wide to see the first half end 0-0.
As the second half began the first chance came to Guiseley as Norbun was on the end of a cross to glance his header just wide of Branagan’s goal.
The Silkmen were soon pressing again to take the lead and good build-up play between Halls, Turnbull and Fitzpatrick saw Styche played in down the left, but his curling effort went just wide.
The hosts continued to push to find on opener and after creating some space on the edge of the area a quick-fire shot by Rowe just went over the bar.
Leading goal scorer Kristian Dennis was brought on by John Askey and within seconds he found a driven cross played in to him but he flicked it just inches wide.
As Askey’s side continued to dictate play, Lewis had the next goal scoring opportunity after a tidy one-two with Whitaker, but he could only fire over the bar from a distance.
The pressure finally paid off for the Silkmen on 76 minutes as a perfectly delivered corner was met by Lewis at the front post, whose glancing header soared straight into the back of the net making it 1-0 to Macc.
After the goal the Silkmen tightened up and controlled the ball but the visitors had a late chance to equalise when Branagan had to be alert to deny them.
Macc managed to hold on, ensuring that they took all three points against Guiseley at the Moss Rose.
Branagan, Halls, McCombe, Pilkington (54’ Byrne), Fitzpatrick, Holroyd, Turnbull, Whitaker, Rowe, Sampson (58’ Lewis), Styche (69’ Dennis). Subs not used: Diagne, Sutherland
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