Resilience to the fore in draw with Grimsby
MACCLESFIELD Town played out a score draw at the Moss Rose on Boxing Day as a resilient performance ensured a point against a rejuvenated Grimsby Town side.
The draw extended Macc’s unbeaten run to five as Joe Ironside saw his opener cancelled out by a Charles Vernam strike.
Both sides had spells during a scrappy encounter with a draw a fair reflection of the afternoon’s proceedings.
Grimsby started the better of the sides and had a golden opportunity to open the scores early on, but Max Wright’s effort cleared Owen Evans’ crossbar from close in after Charles Vernam’s cutback.
Macc responded to this early Grimsby pressure through a Fiacre Kelleher header which flew just over the Grimsby crossbar.
The visitors would have the next chance of note in an even first half, with Moses Ogbu heading wide when it looked easier to hit the target.
The Silkmen began to dominate in the latter stages of the first half and were almost rewarded when Emmanuel Osadebe went through on goal after a poor defensive header from the Mariners’ backline; but he couldn’t hit the target from the edge of the area.
Macc’s final chance of the half fell to Nathan Cameron, but he couldn’t keep his header on target from Jak McCourt’s free kick.
The second period started in the same vein with Macc well on top; and this dominance was rewarded when substitute Ironside was tripped just inside the Grimsby area.
Ironside picked himself up and took the spot kick himself, firing the ball past McKeown to give the home side a deserved lead.
The Mariners responded with their best spell of the game and hit the crossbar through Vernam after a good cross from Jake Hessenthaler.
Vernam would not be denied moments later as he capitalised on some hesitation from the Silkmen backline to break through and slide the ball past Evans to drag the visiting side level.
Substitute Ahkeem Rose was next to try his luck for Grimsby as they continued to press, but his volleyed effort lacked the necessary composure and failed to trouble Evans.
Nathan Cameron came close with another header as
Macc looked to stem the tide of Grimsby pressure, but his effort looped just over McKeown’s crossbar.
Whilst Grimsby continued to press as the game petered towards its conclusion, the Silkmen backline held firm and the game ended level.