Silkmen cruise
Macclesfield 3-0 Leyton Orient
SKY BET LEAGUE TWO MACCLESFIELD .............. 3 LEYTON ORIENT............. 0
SOL Campbell’s Macclesfield Town picked up their first win of the 2019/20 season and recorded their biggest win since returning to the Football League in the process after a dominant victory over Leyton Orient.
Goals from Theo Archibald, Paddy Osadebe and Theo Vassell wrapped up the points for the Silkmen in a comfortable display against their opponents.
It meant that Macclesfield were convincing winners in their opening home game of the campaign, and manager Campbell was extremely pleased.
“The lads were really positive from last week because we played really well, dominated the game, and just didn’t really finish our chances off,” he said.
“Everybody played well, it was a really good performance. We can use this as a benchmark as to how good we can play; we might not always play to this level, but we can certainly aim for it to help us progress.
“All of the players are beginning to gel, they really want to prove to themselves, Macclesfield fans and everybody that they are good players that are willing to work hard.”
After a slow start with no clear cut chances, Jay Harris dinked a pass which released Joe Ironside through on goal, but the linesman flagged for offside.
The Silkmen had a glorious chance blocked in the 19th minute after Orient goalkeeper Dean Brill scuffed his clearance straight to the feet of Archibald, but he couldn’t finish from range into the open goal.
It took 25 minutes for the first shot on target to arrive and it came in the
shape of a powerful Ben Stephens volley after the ball fell to his feet from a blocked Osadebe attempt.
Orient’s first chance came to Josh Wright after the impressive James Brophy crossed into the box, but his shot was saved well by Owen Evans.
However, the deadlock was broken by a sensational strike from Theo Archibald in the 31st minute. The wing-back found himself in space around 25 yards from goal and his curling, dipping effort flew over the head of Brill to the delight of the Silkmen fans. The first half petered out with Macclesfield truly in the driving seat and deservedly in the lead.
Leyton Orient started strongly in the second half and Silkmen goalkeeper Evans pulled off a wonderful acrobatic save to deny Dan Happe’s powerful header.
Macc absorbed Orient pressure well but their break came in the 57th minute when Osadebe found Stephens through on goal, but the O’s defence did enough to put him off balance and his shot was saved.
Macclesfield continued to counter attack after a flurry of Orient corners and their second goal came from a fast move up the pitch started by Welch-Hayes.
The defender’s delightful pass put Osadebe 1-on-1 with Brill in the Orient goal and the midfielder held his nerve to finish calmly.
After a shaky start to the half, the Silkmen grew back into the game.
Vassell put the icing on the top of a brilliant Macc performance in the 83rd minute when he powered home a header from Jak McCourt’s corner.
Gomis could have made it four in the dying moments, but the debutant couldn’t get away from the chasing Orient defenders and his attempt was gathered easily.
However, no more goals were scored and Macc were good value for their win as they opened their home campaign with a bang.
MACCLESFIELD:
Evans, Clarke, Kelleher, Welch-Hayes, Vassell, Archibald, McCourt (Kirby ‘85), Harris, Osadebe, Stephens (Gomis ’78), Ironside (Blyth ’62).
SUBS NOT USED:
Horsfall, O’Keeffe. Charles-Cook,