MATCH REPORT: Carlisle United 2-1 Macclesfield Town
In a less than enthralling encounter, Carlisle made it four consecutive wins against an unfortunate Macclesfield side to end 2018 on a high.
The play-offs are a realistic possibility at Brunton Park this season, with Jerry Yates netting late on to grab all three points – after Hallam Hope cancelled out Scott Wilson’s opener.
It was an unchanged starting XI from John Sheridan, who made headlines on Boxing Day with a shocking post-match press conference following the 6-0 home victory against Oldham Athletic, threatening to walk away from the club if players could not deal with his style. He was also miraculous favourite for the Chesterfield job going into this one.
Sol Campbell, on the other hand, has made a decent start to life as a manager and garnered praise for The Silkmen’s progress; but could only name six substitutes as striker Harry Smith was sent off last time out. New loan signing Manny Idem was in the squad though. His side recorded their first victory of the season back in October against the Cumbrians.
The game got off to flying start, as Macclesfield opened the hosts up a like a hot knife through butter; with Wilson coolly slotting home to open the scoring after two minutes, following a lovely turn in the penalty area when Callum Maycock played him in.
Carlisle then fought back with fierce attacking play to cause the visitors problems; as Hope, Danny Grainger and Gary Liddle all going close to equalising.
Wilson almost got another when his rocket of a strike sailed narrowly wide of the far post from the right edge of the penalty area. Jamie Devitt almost made him pay a few minutes later, when Ashley Nadesan played a one-two pass with him and Manchester United loanee Kieran O’Hara was forced to make a great save with his left foot – but the Irishman should have scored.
Two minutes prior to the break, some sustained pressure from the Cumbrians allowed for Hope to squeeze through and equalise – thanks to Devitt’s through ball. That would have ended the half on a positive note, but The Silkmen almost took the lead again when Adam Collin made a hash of things in added time; although Tyrone Marsh inexplicably smashed over the crossbar when the ball fell free.
Half-time: 1-1
It was a pretty dire affair in the second half, with no real chances for either side until the closing stages. The visitors could have snatched the three points with around 20 minutes to play, when Wilson received the ball on the edge of the penalty area (following some fantastic fluid play) and instead of passing to substitute Miles Welch-Hayes, shot straight down Collin’s throat.
As time began to run out, the hosts took all three points on the 88th minute – with the home crowd roaring them on. Captain Grainger picked the ball up on the left wing and whipped in a dangerous cross towards the in-form Yates, who hit the back of the net; making it five goals in his last four games as the away side sunk despite four minutes of time added.
When the final whistle blew, a real sense of optimism for the remainder of the campaign filled Brunton Park as the Cumbrians sit in 8th place – one point away from the play-off spots, giving Sheridan plenty of reasons to smile.
It will be bitter disappointment on the way back to Moss Rose for the Silkmen with the result keeping them in the relegation zone; but Campbell will take confidence from a disciplined display.
That ends 2018 for both teams, as the second half of the season gets going – with Carlisle visiting relatively nearby Morecambe and Macclesfield hosting Tranmere on New Year’s Day.
Attendance: 4,884 (179)
Home star man: Hallam Hope
Away star man: Michael Rose
Referee: Ross Joyce
words Nathan Ridley, D3D4 Carlisle United correspondent