Recap: Macclesfield 5-1 Harriers

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HARRIERS’ long unbeaten run was brought to an end on Tuesday night as a difficult first half set the tone for a 5-1 defeat at Macclesfield.

The visitors were punished early on, falling behind inside nine minutes when a low cross from the right found its way through to D’mani Mellor to turn home at the far post, with Harriers feeling there was an offside in the build-up.

Macclesfield doubled their advantage on 20 minutes as James Edmondson’s strong run saw him with possession inside the area. Despite a challenge, he was able to squeeze a finish beyond Christian Dibble.

A challenging opening period was compounded eight minutes before the break when Harriers were caught napping at a free kick, allowing the ball to be nodded down unchallenged for Mellor to apply a simple finish for a third.

Dibble was called into action just before the interval, dealing comfortably with Paul Dawson’s header from a free kick to keep the scoreline in check at the break.

Adam Murray made a clear attacking statement at half time with a triple change, introducing Kam Kandola, Seb Thompson and Ashley Hemmings in place of Jack Clarke, George Walker and Reece Hall.

The response was immediate, with Hemmings forcing a good save on 51 minutes after turning sharply in the area, Harriers then seeing a follow-up effort blocked. Two minutes later, Reece Devine delivered a dangerous ball into the box that Emeka Obi met well, his header drifting narrowly wide.

The pressure told on 58 minutes as Harriers pulled a goal back. Thompson showed real quality to create the opening, Hemmings nudging the ball into the path of Joe Foulkes, who showed good composure to finish at the second attempt and briefly inject belief into the contest.

That momentum was halted nine minutes later when Macclesfield capitalised on a poorly-utilised quick free kick, Dibble producing a strong initial save but Mellor reacting first to complete his hat-trick from close range.

Dibble remained alert at the other end, blocking smartly from Luke Matheson on 61 minutes as the hosts looked to extend their lead.

Further attacking changes followed late on, with Amari Morgan-Smith and Bruce Jovan Minaker introduced on 79 minutes, but the hosts remained dangerous on the break.

Edmondson lifted an effort over the bar in stoppage time before eventually adding a fifth in the 11th minute of added time, finishing into an empty net after Macclesfield broke clear in numbers.

Despite the heavy scoreline, there were positives in the second-half response and the attacking intent shown after the interval, but the damage done in the opening 45 minutes proved decisive on the night.

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