SILKMEN SAVOUR A FIRST SUCCESS
RECORDS not being broken is not normally cause for celebration, but that’s what Macclesfield’s staff and players were doing after beating Carlisle.
Macc had fought back from Ashley Nadesan’s goal, with Michael Rose’s penalty 10 minutes from time.
And Peter Vincenti forced in a winner moments later to ensure they did not set a new record of 37 for the longest run of games without a win.
“That means absolutely everything,” said temporary boss Danny Whitaker, who has taken the reins alongside Neil Howarth after Mark Yates’ sacking. “It’s been a tough start to the season for us all, but we’re delighted not to break a record and it gives us something to work with because the lads were magnificent.
“Their goal was very dubious – it was foul on the keeper – and we had one ruled out for offside that wasn’t, so they deserve that win, they really do.”
As for taking the job on a permanent basis, local lad Whitaker says conversations have yet to take place with the club’s hierarchy.
“There’s been no meeting or anything,” he added. “You’ll have to ask the chairman or the owner, I don’t know anything. Me and Neil have worked hard – it’s harder watching, I’m absolutely shattered. But we’ve got the three points and hopefully it’ll kick us on now.”
Things had looked bleak for the beleaguered Silkmen when Carlisle took the lead five minutes into the second half, Nadeson bundling in as the Macc defence called for a foul on keeper Rhys Taylor.
They improved when Rose tucked away a penalty to draw the hosts level, after Sam Adewusi had brought down Ben Stephens in the box. But Macclesfield needed a goal to avoid taking sole possession of that unwanted record.
Harry Smith had two fine chances, but headed one over and hit the other straight at keeper Adam Collin.
But with seven minutes left on the clock, Vincenti struck, latching onto Smith’s ball across the area to slot in a priceless goal.
They may remain bottom of the table, but Vincenti’s goal at least means they avoid the ignominy of that wretched record. Meanwhile, Carlisle manager John Sheridan says his players deserved nothing for their performance, and they were lucky their manager was not alongside them on the pitch.
“It’s hard to take, but full credit to Macclesfield, they’ve been on a bad run, but made us look a very poor team,” he fumed. “And that’s down to us. We were weak in every department, I don’t like criticising my players but that didn’t merit us getting anything. I just wish I was out on the pitch playing with them, it’s lucky for them I’m not.
“I’ve got experienced players, but they’re not organising, they’re not talking, they’re doing nothing. I’m embarrassed.”
MACCLESFIELD TOWN: Taylor 7, Hodgkiss 6, Lowe 7, Grimes 7, Fitzpatrick 6, Vincenti 7 (Welch-Hayes 89), Rose 6, Maycock 6, Marsh 5 (Stephens 70, 7), Blissett 6, Napa 5 (Smith 71, 7). Subs not used: O’Hara, Kelleher, Wilson, Pearson.
CARLISLE UNITED: Collin 5, Miller 6 (Adewusi 77, 5), Gerrard 5, Parkes 5 (Glendon 26, 6), Gillesphey 6, Sowerby 6, Jones 6, Nadesan 7 (McCarron 88), Etuhu 5, Yates 6, Bennett 6. Subs not used: Slater, Campbell, Gray, Birch.