Damage limited in Dover defeat
MACCLESFIELD Town were left pondering what could have been in a frustrating game against a stubborn Dover defence at the Perry’s Crabble Stadium.
Scott Wilson and Mitch Hancox registered multiple attempts on goal but failed to counter Dover debutant Keanu MarshBrown’s first half brace.
John Askey had named an unchanged XI going into the game with Callum Evans returning from injury as a substitute.
Meanwhile Dover made one change with MarshBrown, who joined the Whites from Forest Green Rovers last week, replacing Ryan Bird.
The match could not have had a poorer start for Town as loanee MarshBrown was given too much space in possession and nestled the ball into the bottom corner from 25 yards out only one minute after kick-off.
With their hopes of winning a sixth successive match dented, the Silkmen did not delay in pushing for an equaliser as Hancox had an almost certain goal blocked by defender Manny Parry minutes after the opener.
The Saturday afternoon weather was bitterly cold but home goalkeeper Mitch Walker was kept warm in stopping multiple shots on goal.
However, a last ditch sliding tackle by Connor Essam dealt with the most clear-cut chance of the match in the 16th minute.
Town’s top-scorer Scott Wilson seemed to be through one-on-one with the keeper but the Dover defender got back and blocked the shot forcing a corner.
Elliott Durrell had two shots stopped by the home keeper in the 23rd and 26th minutes, the former an impressive left foot volley that went straight at Walker.
The Silkmen were then punished for their inefficiency in front of goal in the 36th minute when an excellently weighted lob pass from left back Femi Ilesanmi was collected by Marsh-Brown who took it around Shwan Jalal and slotted into an open net for his and Dover’s second.
Ilesanmi nearly turned from provider to scorer shortly before the break but put his shot wide. Macclesfield’s Jared Hodgkiss was booked in the 41st minute for a bad foul.
Goalkeeper Walker’s afternoon did not get easier after the break as Hancox forced a low save which was initially spilled but Dover’s stopper was relieved to reclaim possession.
Town had a great chance to get themselves back in the game in the 52nd minute after Wilson laid off for Danny Whitehead but the midfielder’s shot was off target.
Marsh-Brown thought he had had a dream debut for the Whites when his curling shot looked destined for the top corner but a superb diving save from Jalal pushed the ball wide, denying him his hat trick.
Jalal then made another good save blocking Parry’s forceful shot from a Mitch Pinnock corner.
Dover’s Ade Azeez was booked in the 63rd minute after apparently continuing to shoot at goal despite having been flagged offside.
Hancox had yet another shot blocked by Walker in the 72nd minute after it took a deflection.
Macclesfield substitute Tyrone Marsh, who scored the only goal in the reverse fixture at Moss Rose earlier in the season, almost had an even bigger impact in this game.
Marsh had a ball flash across the face of goal in the 84th minute and a shot cleared off the line by Manny Parry in the 93rd minute.
Defender Keith Lowe hit the side netting in the dying stages.
The third consecutive clean sheet and win for Dover Athletic keeps their outside hopes of promotion alive as they remain in seventh in the National League standings, four points above AFC Fylde.
It was not all bad news this weekend for Macclesfield Town.
Their two-point lead at the top of the Vanarama National League – and game in hand advantage – remained intact because second placed Sutton United also lost away from home.
The Yellows were beaten 1-0 to Maidstone United, meaning the order at the top of the table does not change.
Ironically, the Stones provide Macc’s next opponent with Askey’s side travelling there this evening.
Walker, Parry, Essam, Lokko, Gallifuoco, Brundle (c), Bellamy, Ilesanmi, Marsh-Brown (Jeffrey 66’), Azeez (Bird 87’), Pinnock (Daniel 69’). Subs not used: Passley, Nortey.
Jalal, Hodgkiss (Evans 82’) (c), Pilkington, Lowe, Fitzpatrick, Durrell, Whitehead, Whitaker, Hancox (Burgess 82’), Wilson (Marsh 69’), Blissett. Subs not used: Ramsbottom, Kennedy.
DOVER XI: MACCLESFIELD: ATTENDANCE: REFEREE:
837 Sam Purkiss