Rovers test sees Silkmen rise to challenge
THE Silkmen faced Championshiplevel opposition once again, as they took part in a behind closed doors friendly against Blackburn Rovers.
After a frantic start by both sides, the game evolved into a fascinating affair, with Blackburn undoubtedly controlling possession and the visitors’ passion and desire rendering them a constant threat.
Within the first two minutes, Joe Nuttall forced a fine save from our trialist ‘keeper, as he got down smartly to deny a fizzing drive.
On 14 minutes, Jacob Butterfield was unlucky not to open the scoring for the hosts, as his delicatelyplaced strike from close range cannoned off the upright.
Yet, Sol Campbell’s side acquitted themselves well against the strong Rovers side, with James Pearson and Jak McCourt
in particular looking to spearhead our offensive play.
Our reward would come on 18 minutes, when Emmanuel Osadebe’s innovative through-ball sent Scott Wilson free and he calmly finished past the advancing Joe Hilton.
The goal catalysed the visitors into looking for greater rewards and three minutes later McCourt could well have doubled our lead - yet his ferocious drive from the edge of the area flew agonisingly over the bar.
Blackburn responded with a period of concerted pressure of their own - yet these were largely nullified by a backline who were oozing confidence and belief.
The opening period ended with Harry Chapman firing over the bar from the edge of the penalty area, yet in truth Macc were good value for their slender half-time advantage.
The second half saw the Lancastrians introduce their new £5m signing, Sam Gallagher and the hosts unquestionably started on the front-foot.
Indeed, parity was to be restored on 47 minutes when Nuttall found Charlie Adam and the former Scotland international unleashed a pristine strike into the top corner of the net
Nine minutes later, Blackburn completed their comeback as Adam picked up the ball in midfield and launched a mesmerising run, before firing the ball into the bottom corner from twenty-five yards out.
Macc gallantly looked to force an equaliser and at times, dominated play against our illustrious hosts.
Rovers would seal victory in the 73rd minute however, when Joe Nuttall cut in from the left and proceeded to curl an unstoppable shot into the far corner of the net.
Despite ultimately suffering defeat, there is no doubt that the test was an incredibly worthwhile one as the lads stepped up their preparations for the big Sky Bet League Two kick-off which is now just over two weeks away.
The Silkmen were set to take on Leek Town on Tuesday evening as the Macclesfield went to press.
Hilton, Platt, Doyle (Nyambe ‘56), Wharton, Thompson, Adam, Butterfield, Davenport ( White ‘33), Chapman
BLACKBURN ROVERS:
Express (Gallagher ‘46), Vale (Mols ‘62), Nuttall.
Trialist, Welch-Hayes, Kelleher (Cameron ‘68), Trialist (Ntambwe ‘45), Pearson (Dawson’ 81), Trialist (Fitzpatrick ‘68), McCourt (Stephens ‘68), Trialist, Osadebe, Wilson, Ironside (Rose ‘68).
MACCLESFIELD TOWN:
.