Play-offs guaranteed with Basford triumph
BASFORD UNITED .......... 1 MACCLESFIELD .............. 3
MACCLESFIELD dug deep to come back from behind against Basford United on Saturday afternoon, with three goals in the final 20 minutes securing them a 3-1 victory and a spot in the play-offs in the process.
Luke Duffy cancelled out Toby Ritzema’s opener, giving his side the impetus to snatch the lead with five minutes to go through substitute Tunde Owolabi, with the Belgian going on to add a third in injury time.
Two changes to the side that fell short in the FA
Trophy semi-final away at Gateshead saw Dan Lafferty and Owolabi making way for Paul Dawson and Dan Sweeney, with Laurant Mendy retreating from his midfield spot to fill-in at centre-half.
It was a bright start for the Silkmen. An outswinging corner from John Rooney was planted onto the head of Mendy who, rising highest, nodded a strong effort onto the crossbar to give the hosts an early scare, but one they had survived.
Basford then sought a response and did so via Remaye Campbell after full-back Henri Wilder’s cross found the head of the Lions’ top goalscorer, but even he couldn’t do enough to trouble the 6’ 2” Ollie Byrne.
Macc’s hopes of an early advantage were dented after Brandon Lee had suffered an injury in the build-up for the preceding chance, causing the Silkmen left-back to admit the need for substitution. Neil Kengni appeared well prepared for the task, slotting into the backline nicely, a position he’s found rhythm in recently after making the transition from left-wing.
As play continued, Macc did a suitable job of retaining possession, but appeared to struggle to muster any real opportunities together. The Lions’ backline stood strong and the visitors just had to continue to work around the yellow shirts that separated them from the goal.
Kengni began to have an impact off the bench, bursting down the left flank at full sprint before firing a convincing ball into the area that looked to have been heading for Kane Drummond who was awaiting at close range, but a bold headed interception from Wilder stopped it from reaching the Silkmen frontman.
With the game approaching the 45 minute mark, a huge chance for the Silkmen followed which, once again, stemmed from a Rooney corner.
The Silkmen midfielder played it short to Drummond this time, who laid it off for Duffy beside him. Snapping a shot with his preferred left foot, the club’s record signing went for power from seven yards out, but the effort flew high of the crossbar and left the visitors headin-hands.
Following the interval, Macc looked to return with the confidence they showed in the first-half. Drummond appeared eager to kick things off by delivering a flawless ball into the path of Duffy, who couldn’t quite find his footing but was given a helping hand by Rooney, who swooped in with a side-footed strike but could only drag it wide of the mark.
Michael Clegg then turned to his bench to make an attacking substitution in an attempt to break the deadlock, introducing Owolabi in place of Sweeney.
But this investment wasn’t to pay-off immediately. A piece of excellence from Basford’s Ritzema saw the Jersey international take aim from 35 yards out and curl an admirable left-footed strike into the top-left corner to leave Byrne helpless and the visitors stunned.
But the Silks refused to admit defeat and certainly didn’t let their heads drop. A determined response saw the Lions’ lead last no more than four minutes after Dawson, returning from suspension, split the defence with a sharp ball into the path of Duffy, who Macc could trust to slide past Kieran Preston to make things all square once again.
With 10 minutes to go, Macc appeared to be in the driver’s seat and were piling on the pressure in search of a winner.
Clegg looked to use Alex Curran as a catalyst in this process, bringing him on to make his first league appearance since picking up an injury at the start of February, replacing midfielder Sam Perry.
And immediate success saw the Silkmen snatch the lead just seconds later, Owolabi the man leading the celebrations. Duffy fired in another ball from the right, one that had been troubling the Basford defence all afternoon, with Owolabi ready and waiting to slot home a stylish finish to put his side ahead as the clock ticked to 84 minutes.
But Macc weren’t finished there and neither was Owolabi. A risky yet clever backheel pass from Drummond concluded successful after it found Owolabi, who made no mistake in thundering home a third from inside the area in the first minute of added time to provide Macc a sigh of relief.
Following five more minutes of injury time, Macc had secured the three points after an improved second-half performance, guaranteeing them a place in the play-offs.
The semi-finals will be played on Tuesday 30th April, with the Silks and Warrington Rylands already having secured a spot.
But Macc must now prioritise their next clash in their quest for second place, which will see them host Workington on Saturday 20th April in the final home game of the season. BASFORD: