Gary Johnson will be happy that this was not another home defeat, but he will be disappointed that his team didn�t take all three points.
Macclesfield can argue they did enough on the pitch to deserve their point � but in reality Yeovil gifted them that. At both ends of the team Yeovil did or didn�t do enough to ensure Macclesfield left Huish Park with one point. In defence Colin Pluck made two horrendous errors to gift Macclesfield their two goals. At the other end both Yeovil first-choice strikers missed clear-cut chances. That should heave ensured Macclesfield went home empty handed. But these were not the only examples of how Yeovil made it so difficult for themselves. The conditions: a swirling blustering wind tormented both sides and made it impossible for Yeovil to play their preferred flowing, passing football. So against such conditions the Yeovil team � almost to a man � often attempted passes that would be regarded as outrageously optimistic even in perfect conditions. If points were awarded for conceding possession, Yeovil would already be promoted.
The game began positively enough: Gall and Weatherstone broke past the Macclesfield defence. The latter move finding Williams at the far post, but his shot was well blocked by Wilson in the Macclesfield goal.
Macclesfield were well drilled and moved the ball well � although, to be honest, no better than the average team that has visited Huish Park this season. They showed the occasional flash of danger, Priest�s eighth minute shot flashed outside Weale�s left hand post being their first. But a minute later Yeovil should have taken the lead.
Williams broke into the Macclesfield half and released Edwards. Edwards skilfully rounded Wilson but had been delayed and Wilson�s defence recovered to clear Edwards�s shot off the line. We knew it was going to be one of those days.
The wind was undoubtedly affecting the game. Both teams had decided to play the long ball � relying on the odd defensive slip-up, it was Yeovil who provided the first error, that came after nineteen minutes. Colin Pluck seemed to have a long ball well covered but decided to duck and allow the ball to run out of play. Unfortunately, the ball held up in the wind and Macclesfield�s Tipton latched onto it and surged into the box. Pluck recovered enough to bring Tipton down on the goal line.
Matthew TIPTON, himself, made no mistake from the penalty spot. Yeovil 0 Macclesfield 1.
That spurred Yeovil on and they were unlucky not to equalise when Gall�s lob eluded all his team mates after 21 minutes. Seconds later Johnson�s corner found Edwards outside the six-yard box, but his difficult volley flew well over the Macclesfield bar. Yeovil were on top and found that crucial breakthrough on 29 minutes. This time it was a Macclesfield error, Beswetherwick over committed himself and Williams fired the ball in towards the near post. It looked as if the ball would never find the back of the Maccleasfield net as Wilson and five or six defenders threw themselves at the ball.
But, for once Yeovil�s luck was in and the ball fell kindly for Jake EDWARDS who smashed it into the roof of the net. Yeovil 1 Macclesfield 1.
That seemed to give Edwards improved confidence, and his cocky back-hell minutes later set Gall away, but the Macclesfield defence recovered and cleared for a corner. Yeovil continued to push forward and Skiverton should have hit the target when on the end of Terry�s free kick.
At the other end Skiverton seemed to be well in control, shepparding a Macclesfield attack away to the left hand touchline. But the ball was pulled back and Pluck appeared to slip as, quick as a flash Whitaker was surging along the edge of the Yeovil penalty box.
His ball found Martin CARRUTHERS whose shot took a slight deflection and finished inside Weale�s far post. Yeovil 1 Macclesfield 2.
For the following eight minutes until half time Yeovil pressed throughout. But the ball wouldn�t fall kindly and the move finished with a good Way shot that was well taken.
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