Recap

Tom Murphy reports…

A clash at the top of the table saw Macclesfield overcome The Mariners thanks to goals from Babatunde Owolabi and John Rooney in a feisty encounter. 

Josh Wardle scored Marine’s only goal of the afternoon just before the interval. 

Both sides still have their eyes on the playoffs as we head into the latter stages of the season. 

Before the game, The Silkmen sat in fifth, five points behind their opponents but with two games in hand. 

Macclesfield started the better of the teams, and after eight minutes, Owolabi tapped the hosts in front after easing off Routledge. 

Rooney then extended his team’s lead with a calm finish after Kane Drummond did brilliantly to find him along the left hand side. 

Marine captain Wardle smashed the ball into the net to get one back for his side late on in the first half, after the ball fell to him in the box after a Finlay Sinclair Smith corner. 

The second period was much better from Marine, Sinclair Smith came close straight after the restart but Macclesfield captain Mendy was there to clear for his side. 

With the substitutions flooding in, more half  chances continued to come. Sinclair Smith came close again before new signing Jack Bainbridge failed to direct his effort on target leaving the Mariners increasingly frustrated. 

Challenge after challenge flew in as the game turned into a scrappy affair in the latter stages with the away team continuing to pressurise the Macclesfield back line. 

A second half of dominance from Marine wasn’t enough to find the back of the net despite several chances for Neil Young’s men. 

Ultimately,  it was an admirable performance from Marine but they were unable to leave leasing.com stadium with anything. 

Marine now look to prepare for Guiseley in two weeks time back at the Marine Travel Arena and keep their playoff chances alive. 

Macclesfield: 1 Joe Hilton, 2 Tre Pemberton (Lewis Fensome 64),(Dan Sweeney 72’), 3 Brandon Lee, 4 Andrew Baker, 5 Laurent Mendy (Sam Heathcote 64), 6 Bohan Dixon, 7 Neil Kengni, 8 Sam Perry, 9 Babatunde Owolabi, 10 John Rooney, 11 Kane Drummond.

Subs: 13 Danny Taberner, 15 Luke Murphy. 

Marine: 1 Bobby Jones, 2 Scott Butler, 3 Matty Waters (Chris Doyle 57), 4 Harvey Gregson, 5 Freddie Sass, 6 Josh Wardle, 7 Finlay Sinclair-Smith (Jack Bainbridge 85′), 8 Jon Routledge, 9 Bobby Grant, 10 Owen Windsor (Sol Solomon 67), 11 Owen Robinson.

Unused Subs:15 Louis White, 17 Liam Nolan

Northern Premier League – Premier Division

Saturday 2nd March 2024

Kick-off: 3pm

Referee: Kavan Hurn

Leasing.com Stadium

Attendance: 3,171

Marine Man Of The Match: Harvey Gregson