Macc find their
Leek 1-3 Macclesfield
MACCLESFIELD Town picked up their first victory of pre-season with a straightforward win at Leek on Saturday.
Goals from Danny Whitaker, trialist Oliver Norburn and Jack Sampson were enough to see the Silkmen run out comfortable winners.
Manager John Askey was pleased with the victory, and praised his side for their performance during the match.
“I’m happy with the run out, I think the conditions suited us well, we passed the ball around well and it was a good workout for the players,” he said.
“It was very much a step up from the Buxton game. We were a bit disjointed up at Buxton but from this game I couldn’t really ask for any more than we did.”
Macclesfield were the better side in the opening stages, starting the game well and forcing Leek to defend from the offset.
Chris Sutherland went close inside the opening 10 minutes when he tried his luck from distance, but his shot went narrowly wide.
Leek were still proving dangerous as well, and the home side had their first chance of the match when a free kick was hit high and wide.
The Silkmen continued to dictate play and they made the breakthrough on 12 minutes when Whitaker made it 1-0.
He found space for himself before slotting a shot into the bottom corner of the goal to put his team in front.
Macc almost doubled their lead just a couple of minutes later when Jack Sampson got on the end of a cross from Jack Mackreth, but his header was well saved by Leek goal- keeper Chris Martin.
Mackreth then went close himself when he had an effort on 20 minutes, but his shot went wide when he should have done better.
Macclesfield’s second goal eventually came though when trialist Norburn made the most of his chance to impress by capping off a fine move with a neat finish.
Leek nearly pulled one back just before the interval, but a fine save from Macclesfield goalkeeper Craig Ross denied the home side.
Askey’s side carried their 2-0 lead into the second half, and they picked up right where they left off by grabbing a third after 50 minutes.
Sampson ran with the ball before unleashing a powerful strike from outside the box that beat the opposition goalkeeper.
Leek did manage to pull a goal back a few minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after alleged shirt pulling, with Ant Danylyk slotting home the spot kick to reduce the deficit.
Macclesfield continued to dominant possession during the second half, but struggled to create as many chances as they had done previously.
First-team coach Byron Jenkins then had a brief cameo for the visitors after he came on to replace Whitaker late on.
Macclesfield managed to see out the game to pick up a 3-1 victory, earning them their first win of preseason.
‘We were a bit disjointed at Buxton but from this game I couldn’t really ask for much more’
The Silkmen continue their pre-season preparations with a home game against Championship side Wigan Athletic at the Moss Rose tonight (Wednesday).