Kristian strikes
MACCLESFIELD stunned Grimsby Town by snatching a win at Blundell Park thanks to a brace from striker Kristian Dennis.
A tap-in just moments before the half-time break and a glorious second half strike proved to be the difference in a ‘smash-andgrab’ victory for John Askey’s team.
There were two delays to the kick off and it was a reflection on the game as both sides’ were slow coming out of the blocks.
It was a timing error from Grimsby goalkeeper James McKeown that gave Macclesfield their first sight of goal.
The former Sheffield Wednesday keeper dallied in possession and was almost punished by Dennis who charged him down and knocked the ball away, but unfortunately for the striker he wasn’t able to direct his attempt goalwards.
A mistake at the other end then cost the Mariners the lead. Midfielder Matt Robinson carved out the opportunity with a searching pass that split the Macclesfield defence.
Jalal scrambled the ball away from Padriag Armond, but it fell to Omar Bogle, but with the goal at his mercy he stumbled and failed to apply the finish.
It was then Bogle’s striker partner Armond who was cursing his luck in-front of goal. He fired over after an opportunity had presented itself to him in the box after good play from Marcus Marshall.
Grimsby continued to pile on the pressure and saw attempts from Marshall and Jack Mackreth both marginally miss the target.
The Silkmen created an opening of their own in added time at the end of the first half and they made the hosts pay for their lacklustre finishing.
Kristian Dennis rounded off a great team move, tapping home Danny Whittaker’s shot at goal to punish James McKeown, who failed to clear Andy Hall’s tempting cross.
In the second half Macclesfield were resolute at the back and showed incredible fighting spirit to deny constant onslaughts from the hosts.
Jalal was the first to perform heroics when he denied former Morecombe man Armond who had found himself bearing down on goal.
In the 68th minute Dennis was then the hero at the other end as he smashed in his second goal, hitting a shot that swerved inside the left hand post after a lay-off from Danny Rowe.
Macclesfield had their backs to the wall during the closing stages, and after probing Grimsby play Bogle played through Mackreth who looked certain to pull one back, but an exceptional sliding challenge from Tony Diagne saw that Askey and his team held on to their
‘In the second half Macclesfield were resolute at the back and showed spirit’
two-goal advantage.
The victory ends Macc’s run of three straight defeats and leaves them 16th in the National League Table heading into this weekend’s game against Woking.