Disappointment as Tigers fall to defeat against Macclesfield
The Tigers were left disappointed at the Windsor Foodservice Stadium despite a spirited display, as a strong Macclesfield side ran out 4–2 winners.
Worksop were ahead on six minutes before the visitors got going to take a 2-1 lead into half-time.
They wrapped up the win with further goals after Worksop were found wanting.
Manager Craig Parry was frustrated with the defensive side of the game: “I was so disappointed with the defeat against Macclesfield. You can’t fault them going forward, but defensively, we’ve conceded four goals, goals that we shouldn’t have conceded.
“At this level, we can’t expect to score three or four goals a game to get a point, and it’s a shame because I thought the game was there for us. There were areas which we could have exploited, and we did in some periods.
“A positive thing is our attack. Lewis Whitham is on fire at the minute and I think bringing Luke Hall in on the right-hand side gives us two natural wingers that we didn’t have at the start of the season due to injuries.”
Worksop could not have asked for a better start and took the lead inside six minutes through a moment of real quality from Lewis Whitham. Collecting the ball with intent, Whitham drove at the Macclesfield defence, shifted inside onto his right foot and unleashed a superb curling effort that flew into the top corner.
The visitors responded well and were level just seven minutes later. Luke Duffy finished clinically in the 13th minute to make it 1–1, before striking again in the 29th minute. A lapse in concentration at the back allowed Duffy space inside the area, and he punished the Tigers with his second goal of the afternoon.
Macclesfield held a 2–1 advantage at the break, although the Tigers grew into the game as the half wore on. Whitham continued to cause problems and went close again in the 36th minute when the ball fell kindly, but the chance went begging.
The Tigers came out with real purpose after the interval and were rewarded for their positive approach. The equaliser arrived when the ball was worked well down both flanks, before a low cross from the left found Jordan Burrow, who finished confidently to make it 2–2.
Whitham remained a constant threat and tested the Macclesfield defence again in the 54th minute with a fine effort. The visitors thought they had regained the lead soon after, only for the goal to be ruled out.
Macclesfield eventually retook control in the 78th minute, when a free kick caused chaos in the box and D’mani Mellor rose highest to head home. Mellor then sealed the win late on, striking again in the 89th minute to put the result beyond doubt.