MACCLESFIELD FC 1, AFC FYLDE 3
It was hard to argue with Macclesfield FC manager John Rooney when he declared the Silkmen were well beaten at home by the side he expects to be crowned Enterprise National League North champions.
AFC Fylde extended their run to five matches in a clash of the division’s top two form teams – they have netted 20 goals in the process.
It was also the Silkmen’s first loss, having won their previous four league games and seven of the previous eight.
Yes, it was a clash of the Titans and the Coasters, managed by former Curzon Ashton boss Craig Mahon, showed why they and South Shields are vying for the one automatic promotion place.
And it lived up to expectations with AFC Fylde scoring four times on the road, including a contender for goal of the season from Danny Ormerod.
The former Blackpool academy player scored from a couple of yards inside his own half with an outrageous shot.
“That goal sums him up as a kid. He runs around all game giving you everything,” Mahon added.
“He has the world at his feet. I have around this level for a long time, coaching, managing and playing and to have a 19-year-old who scores 28 goals is unheard of, and it is still only February. It is unbelievable.
“He has to keep working hard and sees where it takes him.”
On the game, Mahon said: “We spoke before the game there are matches in a season which make a statement and if we wanted to do anything this year, we needed to do that tonight. And the lads did it perfectly.
“We knew when we were in and around the top two in October and November, it didn’t really matter. It is in February, March and April when you need to be hitting the form.
“We are doing okay and need to keep our heads down with 14 games to go. South Shields and ourselves have gone clear at the top, but there are a lot of teams which can cause you problems. We have to go into every game with the same attitude.”
Ormerod, who scored twice, also provided the assist for Jon Ustabasi’s 16th minute opener with a shot across the face of goal which the former Stalybridge Celtic man tapped in.
The Silkmen became more of a threat as the game progressed and drew level in the 42nd minute with a special effort from Captain Fantastic, Paul Dawson.
A corner was cleared to Dawson outside the box. He teed himself up with his first touch and then swiveled and found the net with an audacious shot on the turn, a goal which had the wow factor.
AFC Fylde could have regained the lead early in the second half when Tom Whelan burst forward and his drive was turned on to the upright by Barnsley loan keeper Rogan Ravenhill. It was a top stop.
The visitors were ahead again just short of the hour when a ball over the top released Ormerod who, from the right of the box, found the far bottom corner with a well-executed shot.
They added a third goal with 20 minutes left with a sweeping move which cut open the home defence with former Leeds United youth player Luca Thomas crossing from the right for the unmarked Ustabasi to smash a shot into the roof of the net.
The best was saved until last when Ormerod, just inside his own half, spotted Ravenhill off his line and scored with a terrific shot – not a lob or chip.
“They are a top, top side and I think they will probably win the league,” explained Rooney.
“When you make mistakes against top sides, you get punished and we need to cut them out. It can be small margins when you play top teams.
“We were in the game for long periods, and I think 4-1 probably flattered them, just as our 5-1 defeat at their placed when we were in it until Paul Dawson was sent off and they scored three late goals.”
Rooney took the defeat on the chin, adding: “The lads have been incredible for the last couple of months – it was not our night.
“We can’t let this performance derail what we have done. They are a good, honest group.”