Thompson relishing return to the field
MACCLESFIELD Town defender Josh Thompson is relishing the chance to finally play for the team after nearing a return to fitness.
Thompson signed for Macclesfield in the summer, but is yet to make his debut due to injury.
He was part of the matchday squad against Gateshead on Saturday though, and Thompson says he’s absolutely raring to go.
“The game against Gateshead didn’t go the way we planned, but on a personal note it’s been a while since I’ve been involved in a matchday routine, so it’s good to get a pre-match under my belt be around the boys,” he told the club’s official website.
“Rehab’s gone really well and the last few weeks have gone really well. I’ve been training with the boys I feel good and I’m just ready to get back involved.
“I have to say a big thanks to everyone at Macclesfield, I came into the club with my injury problems and they’ve all been brilliant and patient and given me everything I needed and now the best way to say thank you is to get on the pitch and contribute.”
Macclesfield have won just one of their opening five matches this season, but Thompson has still been fairly pleased with how things have gone.
“The game at the weekend wasn’t great but the squads just getting going. It’s early days and I’ve been impressed,” he said.
“I was impressed in pre-season with the way we played football and we got some good results.
“I know there’s a lot of new players here this season, but I think if you came and watched even in the first couple of weeks you wouldn’t be able to tell who’s new and who’s not and that shows in some of the link up play and the way we play football.
“It’s difficult when you come around and see the boys in pre-season getting ready for the games, having the meetings for the games and you’re not involved, all you want to do it contribute and do your part but I had a taster at the weekend and I’m raring to go.”
MACCLESFIELD Town suffered defeat on Saturday after they were comfortably beaten by Gateshead.
Goals from Fraser Kerr, Jordan Burrow and Jordan Preston were enough to condemn the Silkmen to a loss.
Macc boss John Askey was frustrated to come up short, and he believes he knows where the game was won and lost.
“We needed to battle and win headers and track runners, but we didn’t do that well enough,” he said.
“Our players before the game got told everybody to mark, but for one of their goals there were players not marking their men and if you don’t do your jobs then that’s when goals are scored.”
One positive from the match was the inclusion of Josh Thompson in the matchday squad for the first time this season after a battle with injury, and Askey hopes he can be starting games soon.
“Josh is not 100 per cent fit but it was good to get on
‘We needed to battle and win headers and track runners, but we didn’t do that well enough’
MACCLESFIELD Town assistant manager Steve Watson insists there were positives to take from his side’s 2-1 defeat at Sutton United last week. the bench just to get encouragement,” he said.
“He’s getting there and is progressing quite well, but I think it will take a while before he’s fully fit to play.”
It didn’t take Gateshead long to open the scoring in the match, with the hosts making the breakthrough in controversial circumstances after just five minutes.
Richard Peniket’s cross was turned in at the far post by Kerr, with the effort initially ruled out for offside by the linesman.
The referee overruled his assistant though, deeming that the goal should stand and making it 1-0 to Gateshead.
Scott Wilson was looking to build on his goal for Macclesfield in mid-