GWINNETT: WE NEVER GOT GOING
HAMPTON & Richmond exited to Northern Premier League Macclesfield yesterday in the first ever meeting between the sides.
The hosts remained compact in defence and made it to half-time level. However, the visitors continued creating chances and found the opener in the 58th minute via an own-goal.
Forward Sam Heathcote doubled their lead only two minutes later and the Beavers couldn’t find their way back into the tie.
A disappointed home boss Mel Gwinnett reflected after the game: “It’s probably the first game since I’ve been here really that we just never really got going. We never really got to grips with the game.”
Macclesfield started strong and looked the more likely to find the opener for much of the first half.
Only after the 40-minute mark did Hampton & Richmond start to shift the momentum. The Beavers’ best movement of the first half came in the 42nd minute as Mason Bloomfield and Dom Revan combined.
Revan then crossed to Isaac Pitblado, who saw his headed effort soar just over.
However, the hosts failed to register a shot on target in the first half, while Macclesfield created four.
Luckily for the home side, three of these four attempts went directly to goalkeeper Adam Desbois.
Macclesfield sustained their pressure in the second half, John Rooney having a blazing attempt saved by Desbois after the restart.
Hampton worked quickly to create a decent chance of their own as Jake Gray crossed the ball to Charlie O’Connell, whose shot was heading on target until it deflected for a corner.
The opening goal came in the 58th minute off one of Macclesfield’s many corners on the day. Rooney once again whipped a lovely ball into the far post. Hampton could not clear their lines and, after pinging around, the ball bounced into the net for an own-goal.
Dean Inman was then dispossessed by the high-pressing Heathcote. The Macclesfield forward drove towards Desbois and calmly slotted home to double the Silkmen’s lead, two minutes after their first.
Hampton made a triple change but the two-goal deficit proved too difficult to overcome.
Gwinnett added: “Both goals were really poor to give away. The way we conceded the first corner was really really poor. And the second goal was an embarrassment to the two lads on the halfway line.”
Macclesfield saw the game out well, although their game-management led to several warnings from the referee and, eventually, a yellow for Rooney. On the day, Hampton could not find the spark or clinical edge they needed.
The Beavers’ focus shifts back to the National League South, where they currently sit in a play-off spot and continue their quest for promotion to Step 1.
STAR MAN: Sam Heathcote (Macclesfield) ATT: 1,480 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Wayne Cartmel