FL2: Macclesfield v Torquay Utd 19 March 2011

Not sure where to start really, what a great comeback and then a golden opportunity to win at the death. Great value for money and a deserved point, I think. 

Strange game really with both teams having large periods of domination, but neither quite doing enough to secure all 3 points.

A warm and sunny afternoon, with the sun shining in of eyes for most of the game, fortunately most of the incidents took place in front of us in the away end.

A relatively quiet start to the game which we possibly had the upper hand for the first 20 minutes, although no clear cut chances for either team. Then they really took a hold of the game and we were poor right up until half time. We lost the midfield battle for 20 minutes, looked ragged and fully deserved to go in 2-0 down at halftime.

Before they scored they had already had a shot blocked and hit the post. The shot that Robertson blocked came about after Nicholson was caught hideously out of position, giving them an overlap down their right, Bevan closed down the angle so their guy crossed it and as their forward was about to pull the trigger Robertson got in a last ditch tackle/block. 

Another overlap down our left saw their guy fire a shot in that cannoned off the far post ran back across the goal and was crossed back, but Branston headed out for a corner. From the resultant corner their number 23 (who was a handful all game) outjumped our defence to head home. For some bizarre reason one of our fans blamed Bevan and shouted some abuse at him, will come back to this. 

Their second was a well taken goal although they were given all the time and space in the world. Poor marking and poor covering allowed them to break down our right, get a cross in and unmarked from 12 yards they made it 2-0.

We were at sixes and sevens and they had a few more efforts that went just wide. Half time was a welcome relief, they needed to get in and get things sorted. 

As Bevan walked off at half time he turned and gave both barrels to the moron who had a go at him after their first goal. From what I can saw Bevan wasn't at fault for any of the goals today, so unless I missed something i have no idea why the bloke was having a go at Bevs.

At halftime and bearing in mind the way we played for most of the first half I really couldn't see us getting anything out of the game. Also thought a comeback twice in a week was asking too much.

Was expecting some half time changes, however they lined up the same, just came out very early with their tails between their legs.

Bright start to the second half and a couple if early half chances before a superb shot across their keeper from Jake Robinson nestled in the corner. Well taken goal and fully deserved for him because up until that point he was about the only person who could have held his head high.

A couple more half chances as we looked like we were getting back into the game. They get the ball down the other end and win a corner. From the resultant corner they score with a header in at the near post from their tall unmarked centre half. Their second from a corner.

A double substitution followed, with o'kane replacing Lathrope which was a no brainer, but initially I did question  LRT replacing Nicholson, however within a few minutes you could see that it was definately the right decision. LRT pushed forward much more and at times was playing left wing. So apologies to PB for initially questioning his substitutions.

Our second came from the penalty spot after the ball hit one of their defenders hand just inside the box, not a blatant handball but definately a penalty . Plenty if plaudits should go to Robinson, firstly he went straight over a grabbed the ball showing his intent, he looked very confident and I liked that. He placed the ball on the spot, stepped back to take it, then Macclesfield players faff and delay, the ref has a word etc etc while this was going on the ball was still on the spot and Jake hadn't moved. It was a good minute before he was allowed to take it and you usually fear for the taker after having to wait so long, but up he stepped and smacked ii in, great penalty for a number of reasons.

We were now well up for it and as unlikely as it seemed until then an equaliser was on the cards. It came from a long throw from Robertson which Branston met on the left edge of the 6 yard box and back flicked it over their keeper for his first goal for us, and I believe his first for 4 years, and he celebrated as if it was his first ever.

At this stage we were very happy to get an equaliser and would have more than settled for that right then, HOWEVER with a minute of added time left we broke down our left and a cross found Robinson at the far post with just the keeper to beat, he struck the ball well but their keeper pulled off a great save. A winner might have been harsh on Macclesfield but I would have taken it, strangely enough for about an hour after the game I felt slightly dissapointed that we didn't win it, but obviously on reflection a point was great from where we were.

To give you some idea how good a chance that was Robinson had to be consoled by Shaun North as he was gutted that he hadn't scored.

The whistle blew shortly after to end a strange, yet exciting game that probably ended up as the right result for both sides.

A crowd of 1500 and a couple, hard to hear the bloke speak so can't give you exact figures but around 200 from us ??

Amazingly some of the home supporters were leaving at 3-2, what is the point if going if your going to leave early when you are 3-2 up?? 

We did try and lump it forward way to much. That had two massive centre halves that lapped it up all day. When we hoofed it we looked dreadful, when we got it on the floor and knocked it around we looked the better side and looked like we could score when we pleased. Unfortunately we chose to lump it way to often. On top of that the pitch looked to be the smallest pitch I've ever seen, would be interested in the figures for it's size but would expect it just makes the minimum requirement ?? That meant that whenever either keeper kicked it it went to their counterpart at the other end. We didn't try to play it out enough and whenever we did try to play it out and it was given to Branston he would just lump in forward, sometimes even sideways into touch. We could really do with a centre half who can play the ball around a bit if that's what are intentions are going to be.

Difficult to give individual comments to all the players as it  was quite a strange game. But here is a very quick attempt.

Bevan: couldn't be blamed for any if the goals, I believe. Besides he pulled off a fantastic save in the second half that kept us in the game, if they had scored from that it would have been game set and match.

Mansell: Ok sort of game, not his usual but he did nothing wrong.

Robertson: goal saving tackle, but caught out of position for their second goal.

Branston: don't get me wrong he is great at defending with his headers, great leadership and organisation but awful distribution. Some might think it good enough that his presence is enough but if we are going to be a footballing team we need at least one centre half who can play some decent football. That said, great equaliser.

Nicholson: quiet game, caught out of position a couple of times and looked a little slow at times. Thought it was a bit harsh initially when he was taken off but after reflection, and with hindsight, not such a bad decision.

Pringle: bad day at the office. off his game and a bit dissapointing. One defence splitting pass but he has played much better.

Stanley: quiet game, not his normal controlling performance but he has been outstanding since he joined so I wouldn't be to harsh on him.

Lathrope: didn't do too much, not an awful lot wrong but didn't put his Mark on the game. The right decision to take him off.

Robinson: good game even without his goals he would have been our MoM. Our best outlet and most likely chance of a goal. Well taken first, great penalty and unlucky not to win it at the end.

Zebroski: quiet game for him. Probably right to take him off at that time even if Murray didn't offer anything himself.

LRT: got forward well which we needed if we were going to get back in the game. Wasn't really tested defensively. 

O'kane: didn't really do much when he came on, I forgot he was there.

Murray: came on for Zebs late but not much time to do an awful lot, which he didn't.

Overall a good game to watch and a deserved point against a Macclesfield side that had a few decent players in.