Lloyd’s magic is
MACCLESFIELD Town conceded a late equaliser on Saturday as they were held to a draw against Maidenhead United at York Road.
It looked like the Silkmen were heading for all three points after a spectacular strike from Ryan Lloyd, but Jake Hyde struck for Maidenhead with just two minutes left to ensure both teams took a share of the spoils.
The draw leaves Macc third in the National League table, one point off league leaders Sutton United, and manager John Askey thought they could have been more clinical in front of goal.
“The criticism I could have had was that we didn’t take all of our chances. We created numerous attempts, but the one time we found the net was an unbelievable bit of play from Ryan Lloyd,” he said.
“I can’t remember Shwan Jalal having to make a save. We haven’t lost any ground though so it’s not the worst it could have been.”
Maidenhead were lively in the opening stages of the game, but they couldn’t create any clearcut chances and Macclesfield began to grow into the match before as the half progressed.
Mitch Hancox had a shot deflected over the bar, before Elliott Durrell’s dangerous cross into the box narrowly evaded his on-rushing teammates.
It was goalless at the break, but Macc made the breakthrough in impressive style on 54 minutes thanks to a wonder strike from Lloyd.
He received the ball just inside his own half and sent a spectacular 50-yard shot towards goal, which caught everyone by sur- prise and flew into the roof of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
That goal appeared to give Askey’s men confidence and they pushed forward to try and double their lead, with Maidenhead goalkeeper Carl Pentney required to keep out an attempted lob from Durrell.
Macclesfield had to be alert in defence as the match entered the closing stages, with substitute Hyde causing plenty of problems due to his height.
It looked like the Silkmen would hold on for the victory, but Hyde finally made his impact when he netted an equaliser on 88 minutes.
The tall striker was able to get on the end of a cross into the box, heading home to make it 1-1 and get his side back on level terms.
Macclesfield didn’t give up as they tried to restore their lead during stoppage time, but it was too little too late and in the end they had to settle for a point.
Lloyd was delighted with his wonder goal for Macclesfield on Saturday, saying: “It was one of those things that could have gone really wrong but I hit it pretty sweet.
“I took a touch and I was looking for the forwards and I saw the goalkeeper on the edge of the area and I hit it.
“It couldn’t have gone any better.”
It means that it is now three straight draws for Macc in the league, and they will try to return to
‘We haven’t lost any ground so it’s not the worst it could have been’
winning ways when they make the trip to Victoria Park to face Hartlepool United on Saturday.
Jalal, Hodgkiss, Fitzpatrick, Lowe, Pilkington, Durrell, Marsh, Lloyd, Hancox, Whitehead, Burgess. Subs not used: Wilson, Ramsbottom, Kennedy, Arthur, Whitaker
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