Joe spot on for
SKY BET LEAGUE TWO STEVENAGE..................... 2 MACCLESFIELD .............. 2
JOE Ironside’s late penalty rescued a point for the Silkmen, in a game which they were leading at half time.
Ben Stephens opened the scoring for Macc, before Stevenage pounced back through Kurtis Guthrie and Luther James-Wildin in the second half.
The game started very lively and the hosts nearly took the lead in the opening two minutes through Guthrie.
Boro took a quick free kick which was met by the towering striker, but he could only hit the post.
Owen Evans was called into action shortly after when he produced a superb double save to deny both Guthrie and Arthur Iontton’s close range efforts.
It was then Macc’s turn to attack through Osadebe whose cross found Ironside at the front post, but his neat strike was saved well by Farman. The move came as a result of fast and fluid passing play which was showcased by the Silkmen throughout the first half.
Stevenage continued to pile on pressure but against the run of play, Macc took the lead through Stephens. Osadebe drove forward with the ball and he picked out Stephens on the left hand side, and his calm, curling finish flew past the keeper to put the Silkmen in the lead.
The goal deflated the hosts and the first half fizzled out from that point. However, Macc will be concerned to lose the ever impressive Jak McCourt through injury, he limped off injured in the 35th minute.
In stark contrast to the opening period, the second half started very
slowly. Stevenage controlled possession but created few chances to level the scores.
Home fans penalty shouts were turned away by the referee after Harris appeared to trip Kennedy in the box in the 67th minute.
The hosts finally got the break through in the 69th minute through Guthrie. Jason Cowley hit the bar from inside the box, but the ball found its way to the striker for him to head home the equaliser.
After leading at the half time, Macc soon found themselves losing the game courtesy of an unbelievable strike from JamesWildin. Stevenage took a quick free kick to the defender who smashed in his 35 yard strike into the top corner.
Boro had a chance to extend their lead through Newton in the 82nd minute when he latched onto a poor pass from Vassell, but his effort was dragged wide.
Macc changed formation and it worked almost immediately when Paddy Osadebe had his legs taken from beneath him by Watts inside the box. Joe Ironside then stepped up to coolly slot away his second penalty in as many games to bring the Silkmen level.
In what would have been unfair to the hosts, Macc could’ve won late on when Theo Vassell’s fierce drive from the left side of the box cannoned off the post.
However, despite the best efforts of both teams the game finished even in a rollercoaster of a game at The Lamex Stadium.
It was a point that pleased manager McMahon.
“I thought we played too deep, too early. We invited pressure onto us too early in the game, we didn’t get behind them and create chances enough either.
“But let’s not kid ourselves, Stevenage are a really good side and the league table may say otherwise, but they’ve got some terrific players.”
MACCLESFIELD TOWN:
Evans, Welch-Hayes, Kelleher, Vassell, Archibald, Harris, McCourt (Kirby 35’), O’Keefe (Horsfall 58’), Osadebe, Stephens (Gnahoua 64’), Ironside. Subs not used: Charles-Cook, Clarke, Blyth.