NL: Torquay v Macclesfield 3pm 11 February 2016

Moore, Hodgkiss, McGinty, Anderson, Rowe-Turner, Sparkes, Richards (C), Lathrope, Fitzpatrick, Young Williams - subs: Gallifuoco, Chaney, Verma, Reid, Keating.

Same shit different day

Yippee 1-1.

A useful point in the end and a fair score line at a freezing Plainmoor today. Overall it was an ok performance - certainly hard working and in the main we looked solid. But it was case more of perspiration rather than inspiration, it was mainly a midfield battle with few clear chances whilst supporters had their own battle to find ways to keep warm. There was not enough excitement on the pitch to keep our minds on just the football. Both goals were scored from corners which says a lot. Crowd a horrible 1,400 with sponsors MOTM going to goal scorer McGinty.

Torquay started on the front foot and I thought we pressed Macclesfield well. But we did not hurt Macclesfield and with just Williams in attack we looked lightweight in attack. Torquay's only proper chance in the first half was a whipped in free kick from Sparkes that was deflected by a defender and brought a fine reflex save from their keeper.

Torquay have had a habit all season of self destructing and today was no exception. First keeper Moore waited and waited with the ball in his hands with a Macclesfield player near him. Presumably Moore felt the striker was in his way of his imminent clearance. The referee blew up and awarded a free-kick to Macclesfield on the edge of the penalty area. Moore made a fine parried save to save his own blushes. A few minutes later a Macclesfield corner was whipped into our near post. There was not adequate near post cover and Moore had to scramble across to keep the ball out. Moore then made another fine save from the follow up but just when you thought we were ok, another follow up was deflected into our net. It was sloppy defending from the corner and Macclesfield raised their game and Torquay started to look uncertain. It was a shame as Torquay's back four were doing a decent job. I really like Hodgkiss at right back - he's such a tidy player and does his job competently with good decision making without any fuss. Similarly, debutant Anderson was doing a tidy job alongside McGinty as centre back.

Macclesfield started the brighter in the second half. However Luke Young unleashed a decent shot from outside the box that their keeper tipped over. From the resultant corner from Sparkes, McGinty stole it at the far post to head home from close range. 1-1 and game on. The rest of the second half was an even affair. Torquay at times created some good flowing moves helped by Young's range of passing picking out Sparkes on the left wing. Sparkes was our most dangerous weapon with several inviting crosses going into the danger area. Williams latched on to one and brought a relex save at the near post. Macclesfield had one or two dangerous moments and Moore saved when they were through on goal on one occasion. Reid had replaced Young but wasted some good positions and his end product was lacking. Our Irish debutant Keating replaced Williams for the last 5 minutes and made a decent impact winning the ball and setting up moves. He looked hungry.

So arguably a decent point against an in form Macclesfield side that we matched. It was a solid performance, not that exciting but hopefully something we can build on. I'm still trying to warm up!

Thanks for the match report Swanny . - hopefully you have thawed out now!