Rovers’ blow to
MACCLESFIELD Town’s play-off hopes were dealt a blow on Saturday, as they suffered a disappointing 3-0 loss away at fellow promotion hopefuls Forest Green Rovers.
Goals from Christian Doidge, Liam Noble and Mark Ellis sealed the points for Rovers to move up to second and within three points of league leaders Lincoln City.
Macclesfield meanwhile remain ninth in the league, seven points outside the play-off places.
“It was just a bad day at the office but the good thing is, especially at this stage of the season, you’ve got to dust yourself down quickly,” said assistant manager Steve Watson.
“Since the start of the New Year they’ve done as well as anybody, and we’re still in the hunt of nicking a playoff place.”
It was the home side who began the brighter of the two teams, forward Kaiyne Woolery firing wide after just four minutes.
Macclesfield captain Andy Halls returned to the side as one of two changes to the starting eleven, and he had to be alert to clear a cross minutes later, as Rovers pushed for an early goal.
The pressure paid off after 12 minutes, Christian Doidge finding the net with a header from the near post, following Rob Sinclair’s corner.
The goal, Doidge’s twelfth in the league, allowed Forest Green to settle, as they found them- selves threatening throughout a first half they dominated.
Macclesfield continued to look vulnerable from set pieces, and Doidge nearly grabbed his second from a Darren Carter free kick.
The half hour mark saw the Silkmen fashion their first meaningful chance, Luke Summerfield‘s corner reaching Niall Byrne, who could only find the post with his close range effort, and Connor Jennings attempt was deflected behind.
After 35 minutes the home side had the ball in the back of the net again, but Mark Ellis’ finish fol- lowing Scott Flinders save was ruled out for offside, and that was the last meaningful chance of the half as Forest Green went into the break ahead.
The second half was a much brighter start for the visitors than the first, as they began to show some of the form which had seen them lose just two of their last eight league games.
The Silkmen earned themselves a free kick on the edge of the box shortly after kick off, Connor Jennings teeing up Mitch Hancox, but his effort was weak and the home side cleared their lines.
However, minutes later they found themselves
‘The good thing is, at this stage of the season, you’ve got to dust yourself down quickly’
another goal behind as Woolery, a thorn in the side of Macclesfield all game, broke down the right with pace and chipped the ball to Liam