Silkmen gearing up for play-offs quest
DESPITE securing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Workington AFC to guarantee a second-place finish, Macclesfield boss Michael Clegg was left frustrated by his side’s profligacy.
Clegg felt it was a “frustrating afternoon” on the basis that it could, and should, have been more.
A re-energised Alex Curran was left delighted after slotting home his first goal in three months after being ruled out through injury, with the ex-Stockport County forward reaffirming his pace at the top of the Silkmen’s goalscoring chart for the season.
Dan Sweeney was another man left relieved after bagging a late goal to double his side’s lead. After rolling home Kane Drummond’s unselfish square-ball, Sweeney celebrated the first goal of his second spell with the Silkmen “He’ll be absolutely clubs and try and win the home game and our home over the moon with the following a slow start fine”, said Clegg. “We’re in football matches so form has been really performance today? Of since re-signing in midFebruary. a little bit of a position there’ll be changes certainly, strong since I’ve come in,” course we weren’t but it now where we can probably but the teams will he said. doesn’t matter right now.”
After the reverse clash patch people up until be strong enough to go “We’re absolutely flying The players worked at Borough Park ended in that first play-off game if and get the points.” as a group. It’s not about hard last Tuesday evening a stalemate, Macc were we’re being honest. That’s Macc sit in second spot, getting them up for games against relegated Atherton determined to claim maximum going to be the plan whilst out of reach of fellow playoff it’s about calming them Collieries on a tough points this time trying to carry on winning contenders Warrington down! The changing room pitch. They were held 0-0 around to cement themselves games. Rylands and Marine, is bouncing at the for 72 minutes, where as play-off favourites. “We want to build that meaning the semi-final moment.” Kane Drummond’s momentum. At the end of will be played at home But credit is due to rebound tap-in from John
“It’s all about points at the day we are Macclesfield. against the side that Workington who travelled Rooney’s halfway line this stage of the season”, We want to step on finishes fifth. to Macclesfield with a effort snatched the three said Clegg. “We said to the that pitch and want to win Should they reach the clear game plan which points, suggesting Clegg’s lads last week that the first a game.” final, that too will be saw them sit deep, making side have the ability to aim is to finish second With second place played at the Leasing.com it difficult for the hosts to adapt to the plethora of and then it’s to finish second secured, speculation Stadium against the winner play around. circumstances that they’re with a fit squad.” about any potential squad of third place versus “It’s tough”, admitted met with.
Regarding the fitness of rotation was confirmed by fourth place. Clegg. “Macclesfield as a “It was a bit of an old the squad, Steven Rigg’s Clegg. This achievement was club have had a lot of that wives’ tale, to get Macc late challenge on Sam Having such a deep accompanied by a strong this season and I think away on a not-great pitch Heathcote inside the Macclesfield squad will work to his message from Clegg: “We they’re used to that. It’s and they don’t fancy it but penalty area advantage in the remaining need them [the fans]. It’s about being patient and we’ve not conceded goals meant that his afternoon fixtures, with Bohan going to be great to get keeping on probing. on them pitches and we was cut short, despite Dixon, for instance, not this place rocking.” “It’s also about keeping rolled our sleeves up and attempting to carry on. even making the squad on The fact that the Silkmen the back door shut so went toe-to-toe with
The centre-half hobbled Saturday. have won each of that’s two clean sheets on them. off holding his knee and “Yeah 100 per cent, but I their last six home games the bounce, Workington “That’s all any fan or any was replaced by Dan Lafferty think it’ll be realistic is another factor that reassured and Atherton Colls, it’s owner or any board want but the update on his though”, he said when Clegg. another six points in a few from any player who goes injury reassured any asked if we’ll see squad “Since I’ve walked days. We couldn’t be any on the pitch: to give everything doubts about his involvement rotation. “We’re still going through the door I’ve happier. for the club they’re in the play-offs. to go and respect those thoroughly enjoyed every “Were we absolutely playing for. I will always
Published by MEN Media, Mitchell Henry House, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, OL9 8EF. Printed by Reach Printing Services (Oldham) Limited, Hollinwood Avenue, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 8EB make sure players do that whilst I’m in charge here. That’s an absolute given because that’s the background I’m from.
“We’ve done that today. Our first goal was unbelievable, a switch of play, ball back across and a great finish from Alex [Curran] who’s now back in the reckoning.
“I’ve got absolutely no excuses at this moment in time, everyone’s fit, everyone’s raring to go. We need to stand as strong as we can.”