Macc hit goal trail at Ashton
RICHARD PARTINGTON
ASHTON ........................... 1 MACCLESFIELD ............. 5
MACCLESFIELD Town ran out emphatic winners on Saturday after picking up a big pre-season win over National League North side Ashton United.
Two goals from Harry Smith along with strikes from Danny Whitaker, Nathan Blissett and an unnamed trialist helped the Silkmen run out winners at Hurst Cross.
Along with the trialist goalkeeper, there were two other trialists in the Macc starting line-up, a goalkeeper and a midfielder.
Macc were on the front foot from the offset and almost took the lead n three minutes when Marsh was through on goal, but his effort was charged down by Ashton captain Mark Lees.
The visitors continued to dominate and they got the opening goal after just seven minutes.
Marsh broke clear before playing in Smith, who fired home from eight yards out to make it 1-0.
That goal gave Macclesfield a boost and they doubled their lead after just 19 minutes. Despite his new role as joint-assistant manager, Whitaker remains a key part of the playing squad, and he scored to make it 2-0.
While they were dominating in attack, the Silk- men also had to be alert at the other end, with the defenders performing well to preventing Ashton from having any clear-cut opportunities.
Macclesfield were given a good chance of grabbing a third when they were awarded a free kick 20 yards out just after the half hour mark. The Macc trialist stepped up and fired the ball around the wall and into the back of the net, successfully making it 3-0.
The Silkmen dominance continued and they made it 4-0 just before half-time.
A good cross into the box by Stephens was met by Smith, who glanced home to ensure the away side had an extremely dominant lead at the interval.
There was one change for Mark Yates’ side during the 15 minute break, with another trialist goalkeeper coming on in place of the other.
It was a quieter second half, but Macc continued to have the better chances. Ashton goalkeeper Josh Ollerenshaw was on hand and made some good saves to deny the opposition.
With the exception of the goalkeeper, Macc then made 10 substitutions on the hour mark, with the entire outfield being changed.
Macc managed to add a fifth a few minutes later when Scott Wilson rounded the goalkeeper and squared to Blissett, who tapped home from close range.
Ashton did manage to get on the scoresheet late on when Nic Evangelinos netted to earn a consolation goal for the home side, but the match finished 5-1 and Macc earned a dominant victory.
MACCLESFIELD TOWN STARTING XI:
Trialist ( Trialist 45’), Welch-Hayes, Kelleher, Grimes, Fitzpatrick, Trialist, Whitaker, Trialist, Stephens, Smith, Marsh.
MACCLESFIELD TOWN XI AFTER 60 MINS:
Trialist, Trialist, Hodgkiss, Lowe, Trialist, Arthur, Trialist, Lloyd, Evans, Wilson, Blissett