Macc back in the big time
EASTLEIGH ...................... 0 MACCLESFIELD .............. 2
MACCLESFIELD Town capped off a memorable season as their victory away from home against Eastleigh crowned them National League champions and earned them promotion to the Football League.
Goals from Tyrone Marsh and Mitch Hancox earned the Silkmen the win at Ten Acres and ensured that they would be playing in League Two next season for the first time in six years.
Macc’s win meant that second placed Tranmere Rovers were no longer able to catch John Askey’s side in the table, ensuring that they would finish in first position.
The Silkmen were quick out of the blocks in the game at Eastleigh and they made the best possible start when they took the lead after just three minutes.
Callum Evans sent a pinpoint pass over to David Fitzpatrick on the left-hand side, who was then able to cross for Marsh who slotted home from around eight yards out to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
Eastleigh tried to hit back, with Macclesfield goalkeeper Shwan Jalal required to make a good save to keep out Paul McCallum’s header.
There were more defensive herorics from Macc a few minutes later, this time from veteran centre back George Pilkington.
Chris Zebroski’s low effort looked to have beaten everyone and was heading for the net, but Pilkington was on hand to clear the ball off the line and ensure his team’s lead remained intact.
There was then a break in the action, with Danny Whitehead requiring treatment after an injury, but he was fine to continue.
Upon the resumption of the game, the Silkmen went close to doubling their lead when Hancox’s free kick into the box was met by Keith Lowe, but his powerful header went narrowly wide of Ross Flitney’s post.
Eastleigh continued to threaten as half-time approached, with Whitehead making a good defensive clearance to prevent Zebroski from firing at goal.
The second half began with Eastleigh again going in search of an equaliser, with Sam Matthews curling a shot from distance wide of the goal.
Macclesfield then regained their composure from that point onwards, and Danny Whitaker thought he had extended his side’s lead when his 18-yard strike flew towards goal, but a deflection from Eastleigh defender Reda Johnson sent the ball behind for a corner.
The 494 travelling Macclesfield fans that had made the trip didn’t have to wait much longer for a second goal though, as it came on the hour mark.
The Eastleigh defence failed to clear Whitehead’s low cross, allowing Hancox to nip in at the back post and score to double his team’s lead and make it 2-0.
Macclesfield’s task wasn’t complete yet, as Jalal made a good save to prevent Danny Hollands from pulling a goal back for Eastleigh.
The home side continued to push forward as they tried to get back into the game, but Macclesfield continued to do what they have done throughout the rest of the season and defended brilliantly to keep their clean sheet intact.
Ayo Obileye’s header was the closest that Eastleigh went to scoring in the closing stages, with Macclesfield holding on to earn all three points to clinch the National League title and book their place back in the Football League, completing a superb campaign for all of the players, staff and fans involved with the club.