Smooth Silkmen
MACCLESFIELD Town moved into the National League play-off places after a comfortable victory over Woking on Saturday.
Goals from Danny Whitaker, Danny Rowe and Chris Holroyd ensured that the Silkmen came out on top at the Moss Rose.
While it may have been Macc who won, Woking were the better team in the early stages and they went close when Charlie Penny forced a save from Craig Ross after getting on the end of a cross from Dennos Lewis.
The visitors continued to threaten, with the Silkmen defence required to make a number of crucial tackles.
Macclesfield started to come into the game as the half progressed, beginning when Holroyd’s header tested Woking goalkeeper Daniel Poke after 20 minutes.
The hosts then managed to take the lead just before the half hour mark when Rowe’s cross into the box was met by Whitaker, who turned the ball home from eight yards out to make it 1-0.
It got even better for Macc on 37 minutes when they doubled their lead.
Rowe went from provider to scorer as he darted into the box and slotted into the bottom corner to put his team firmly in the driving seat.
Woking then suffered a cruel blow just before the interval when Ismail Yakabu was forced off with an injury, having just made his return to the team following 18 months out.
The Silkmen started the second half the strongest, with Whitaker trying his luck with a long range shot in the 55th minute, but the effort was deflected behind.
John McCombe then almost got his first goal of the campaign moments later when he got on the end of a corner, but his goal bound effort was cleared off the line.
While Macc may have been dominant since the break, Woking scored against the run of play on 59 minutes.
Lewis managed to fire an effort past Ross and into the bottom corner to make it an interesting final half hour.
Both teams had chances as the match entered the closing stages, with George Pilkington going close late on when his shot went narrowly wide.
Macclesfield ensured they had the final word though when Holroyd wrapped up the win for his side in stoppage time.
Rowe’s darting run into the opposition half began the move, with Holroyd finishing it off when he scored to make it 3-1 and earn his side the victory.
MACCLESFIELD:
Ross, Byrne, McCombe, Pilkington, Hancox, Rowe, Mackreth, Lewis, Whitaker, Norburn, Holroyd
SUBS NOT USED:
Branagan, Cowan, Fitzpatrick, Sampson, Roberts
‘Silkmen started the second half the strongest with Whitaker trying his luck’