Bonus point for Blues against high-flying

NATIONAL LEAGUE 2 NORTH CHESTER ........................ 43 MACCLESFIELD ............ 20

MACCLESFIELD were unable to make it back to back wins as they fell to defeat against hight-flying Chester.

Chester had the opportunity to go top if Ionians lost and Macclesfield were looking to do something they hadn’t yet this term – put back to back wins together after a great performance last week against Stourbridge.

However, Marshall Gadd was forced into a number of changes this week, with Josh Redfern (illness), Brendan Berry (hamstring), Jordan Davies (back), Board (concussion), along with Parry, Simpson and Blackwell all unavailable.

Billy Robinson took a place on the bench despite not being fully fit after a knock in the last game and attack coach Andy Appleyard took it on himself to fill the centre slot. It must be frustrating to Gadd who would likely have hoped to carry the momentum from keeping a winning team together, but has never been afraid to throw youngsters in at the deep end. The hosts were boasting ex-England player Ben Foden on the bench, return to his hometown club before a move to New York.

Macclesfield started the brighter, after defending a 30-odd phase opening attacking set from the men in red. Sam Stelmaszek made a break from his own ’22 and after showing good game management and patience in the opposition 22, a half break by Tom Morton led to youngster Charlie Warren touching down in the corner on 12 minutes.

The lead didn’t last long as the home side worked a strong set up field and into the 22 before scoring from close range through second row Cottrell, converted by Robins on 17 minutes.

Macc looked set to re-take the lead moments later when 5m out from the Chester line but a misplaced pass saw the ball go to ground, the loose ball snaffled by Robins and a penalty was yielded on the Macc 10m line that was put to the corner by Bennett, front rower Croft going over from close range after the maul went to ground (14-5 after 24 minutes).

The Priory Park outfit struggled to utilise possession while the error and penalty count pegged them back in their own 22, gifting another chance to the home side who were very clinical, Reed scoring, again fro close range (21-5 on 32 minutes).

It looked like being a long afternoon until a huge scrum in the Chester