Clegg kicks off in style with Silkmen
NEW Macclesfield boss Michael Clegg started his Silkmen career on a high last weekend after securing a demanding 2-1 victory over fellow play-off contenders Marine AFC.
In-form pairing Tunde Owolabi and John Rooney had Macc two to the good after 40 minutes, with the duo now having scored nine of the Silks’ last 12 goals.
The visitors could only do as good as half the deficit, with centre-half Josh Wardle catapulting an effort into the roof of the net to deny the hosts a clean sheet.
Clegg’s squad involved a plethora of new faces, with Joe Hilton making his debut between the sticks and Sam Perry also being awarded his first start.
On the bench was another newly recruited goalkeeper in the form of Danny Taberner who joins from Northern Premier League West side Clitheroe, with former Silkmen man Dan Sweeney also being named among the substitutes who makes his return for the first time since scoring a late header in a 1-1 stalemate against Hanley Town back in April of 2023.
“It was scrappy”, admitted Clegg after the fulltime whistle.
“It [was] a little bit flat after the game, the performance wasn’t great but in the first 45 minutes we should’ve had five goals where we’ve scored two but missed three clear-cut chances.
“But I think, in the second-half, when you’re dealing with so many changes in your backline due to injury, you’ve just got to get over the line.”
Macc were unfortunate enough to lose both Laurant Mendy and Tre Pemberton at the same time due to respective injuries, with substitute Lewis Fensome also being forced off through injury, lasting just three minutes.
“I thought Sam Heathcote [was] brilliant when he came on, he batted everything away.
“It wasn’t pretty but you’ve just beaten 2nd in the league at home come business end of the season so we’ve got to be happy with that.”
“I think Tre [Pemberton’s injury] is a knock but obviously he’s struggling with that and I think Lewis [Fensome’s] shoulder has come out and obviously [Laurant] Mendy is struggling with his knee as well and we knew that was a risk from the start.
“But on the flip side of that I thought Sam [Heathcote] has done so well when he’s come on and Joe [Hilton] on his debut has done really well.
“It’s three points, it wasn’t pretty but I think if the people who came watching today saw anything it’s they saw a gang of lads who are willing to roll their sleeves up and do whatever it takes to get three points for this football club.”
Clegg had anticipated Marine’s intentions to play the long ball and admitted that it was difficult to counter initially,
but was pleased at the way his players applied his game plan to deal with the challenge and ultimately come away with the win.
“There were a lot of scrappy set plays, we had a team meeting around it
on Thursday so it definitely didn’t come as a surprise.
“Everyone in the meeting, whether they were staff or whoever was in it, everyone knew what was going to happen and it happened, stopping it is a different problem.
“They had a few chances, Marine, but so did we and at the end of the day we’ve got the three points so we just move on from here now.”
Despite an impressive display to come away victorious, Macc were not short of chances to increase their lead, thus raising questions regarding how clinical they are in front of goal.
“You always want to score goals, it’s what we’re here for, it’s what the fans pay their money for and it’s something that we’ll just try and get better [at].
“I think momentum is more important at this stage of the season, I think that’ll probably take us top of the form table in the league.
“With how many games we’ve got left it’s important that we stay up there, it’s important that we win games and how that happens I don’t think anyone’s really bothered.
“But we have got to be better than that today, we’ve got to be better on the ball, I think off the ball we worked, but on the ball we need to be better.
“There’s no shame in saying fair play to Marine, I thought they came here
and played well, I’ll always respect the opposition and give praise where it’s deserved but ultimately there’s only one thing that matters and it’s three points and they’re with Macclesfield tonight.
“I can smile and probably do something with the kids tonight without going to bed sulking!”
Looking ahead, the Silks face a huge opportunity this coming Saturday, where victory against Coalville Town would mean a spot in the semi-final of the Isuzu FA Trophy.
“Can’t wait for that”, said Clegg. “It’ll be good to put the league to bed for a week.
“It’s a massive game for the football club, obviously 180 minutes away from Wembley.
“It’s going to be tough so we’ll start worrying about that from tomorrow, I think first and foremost it’s critical that everyone enjoys tonight and the three points.
“That’s a big win today.”