Clare back with goal in Staffordshire win
STAFFORD RANGERS ... 1 MACCLESFIELD .............. 3
TOM Clare was back among the goals for the Silkmen as they beat Stafford Rangers away from home in midweek.
It took just eight minutes for the visitors to take the lead with a great team move that was finished off by Tre Pemberton with a right-footed shot on the edge of the six-yard box and into the centre of the goal.
John Rooney thought he’d doubled the lead, but Pemberton was adjudged to be offside before finding him.
Macclesfield did double their lead not long after as Brandon Lee threaded the ball to Luke Duffy and his effort went into the top corner from just inside the box.
Macclesfield pushed for a third goal and on the hour mark Kane Drummond had the ball in the back of the net, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
With 18 minutes of normal time left to play, Tom Clare was substituted on by Michael Clegg as Macclesfield were looking for that third goal.
Joe Hilton was forced into making smart save from close range 77 minutes into the game.
Two minutes later and not long after coming on, Clare with the outside of his foot stabbed the ball into the corner from close range to score the third goal that they were searching for.
Stafford pulled one goal back late on in normal time, but the Silkmen held on to secure all three points.
Manager Michael Clegg was pleased with the side’s performance throughout the game: “I thought some of our football in the first half was really good and when you are two nil up against a team fighting for their lives, they are always going to put it on you at some point.
“But we weathered the storm and we were in full control today and I am really pleased with the performances today.”
Clegg was happy for Duffy to be back on the pitch and scoring after being out with an injury he said: “I’m probably Luke Duffy’s biggest fan so when I’ve got the chance to work with him day to day, he is going to lift anyone at this level or the league above.
“His goal was great; he comes in and gets his head down and works hard.”
MACCLESFIELD:
Hilton, Pemberton, Lee, Baker, Heathcote, Dawson (80), Drummond, Perry, Owolabi (84), Rooney, Duffy (72) Subs: Kengni (84), Lafferty, Dixon (80), Clare (72), Sweeney