MACCLESFIELD FC 4, HEBBURN TOWN 1
Danny Elliott continued his red-hot scoring streak as Macclesfield FC defeated third-placed Hebburn Town to move four points clear at the top of Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier with manager Robbie Savage predicting there is still much more to come from his side.
The striker netted the Silkmen’s first two goals to make it 10 for the season and eight in the last five matches.
There were also goals for Luke Duffy and Paul Dawson and the only surprise was that Savage’s side scored only four – on clear-cut chances this pulsating game could easily have ended something like 12-5 with the only criticism of Macclesfield their wastefulness at times in front of goal.
Macclesfield remain unbeaten in the league – 10 wins and two draws from their 12 league matches.
“I am delighted by our start – I think it is the best Macclesfield have ever had since 1874 but I believe we could have won every game,” said Savage.
“We can do better which is the frightening thing about this squad. Our goal difference improved tonight, and we should be able to score over 100 goals this season which is why I was brought into the club.”
Both goalkeepers – Macclesfield’s Max Dearnley and Hebburn’s Adam Richardson – were their side’s star players.
And fair play to Hebburn with Macclesfield manager Savage praising their have-a-go approach as the Silkmen had Dearnley to thank for big saves at crucial times of the match.
Hebburn also had a nightmare journey with kick off delayed to 8pm. The players travelled by car with some leaving work as late as 4pm with the stragglers only arriving at the Leasing.com Stadium at 7.40pm.
Former Manchester United player D’Mani Mellor, who played in the Europa League against Astana, burst clean through early on only to fire wide.
Elliott showed how it ought to be done with a neat left-foot finish to a Justin Johnson cross to give the Silkmen a ninth minute lead,
Mellor, Johnson, Elliott and Johnson all had great chances to extend the lead with a combination of Richarson’s heroics and defensive blocks keeping the Cheshire side at bay.
You had a fear Macclesfield would come to rue those misses and so it proved as Hebburn equalised mid-half with their first sight of goal.
Liam Noble’s chip released Amar Purewal and the Punjab international raced clear to shoot lo past Dearnley.
Mellor burst through on goal but stumbled as the ball ran harmlessly out of play while Johnson forced a fine save from Richardson and in stoppage time Danny Whitehead had an effort cleared off the line.
Macclesfield regained the lead seven minutes after the restart when Elliott was released and he was coolness personified as he lobbed Richardson.
Duffy brought the best from Richardson and Johnson fired just wide as Macclesfield sought a third goal which their play merited.
Macclesfield always give opponents a chance and a defensive blunder let in Purewal but Dearnley saved the day with Savage pointing to that as a pivotal moment in the match.
Little over 60 seconds later, Macclesfield added a third, a great solo effort from Duffy as he surged forward and found the net with a low drive from the edge of the box.
Macclesfield’s defence was carved open again as Joe Posthill this time was denied by Dearnley who spread himself well to keep out the effort with his legs.
Again, had the deficit been reduced to one goal, it might have been an interesting finish.
“At 3-1 we should have been out of sight, but our keeper has kept us in the game,” said Savage.
Macclesfield survived the scare and soon made it 4-1 as Hebburn failed to clear Johnson’s cross and Dawson found the net with a sweetly struck angled shot back across goal into the far corner of the net.
In the latter stages, both keepers made huge saves – Richardson to deny Johnson who weaves his way clear and Dearnley to block Aidan Heywood’s effort with his legs.