‘A game of two halves’ is how head coach Giles Heagerty summed up Macclesfield’s defeat to Fylde in their final match before Christmas.
Heagerty said his players felt the full effect of playing 20 minutes with 14 men on the pitch. “It was certainly a game of two halves,” he said.
“I suspect the first 40 minutes’ effort took its toll on us, playing with 14 for 20 minutes didn’t help and the first yellow card was two minutes into the game.
“But the second yellow was very tough in terms of the energy levels.
“We knew what Fylde were going to do and unfortunately in the second half we allowed them to do it.”
The Blues don’t play again until the new year and Heagerty feels his side will be better for a well-deserved break.
“These boys have been at it since the end of June,” he added.
“This is their first break and that’s a very long time at this level of rugby when you have a small squad like us.
“The boys have 10 days off to recharge themselves physically and mentally.
“We have a big challenge after Christmas, everyone is aware of that. We have Mike Finnemore and Dave Marwick back after Christmas as well.”
Heagerty is confident that the Blues will also be able to welcome back some of the dual-registered players they’ve had on a more regular basis after Christmas to add depth to his squad.
“It’s the same players we have had throughout the first term,” he revealed.
“But we will be getting them on a more permanent basis, which we always knew was going to be the case.
“We know who we’re getting and the lads know who they are, they come in and will have to complete for a place but it’s nice to be able to bring talented players in to add to the squad.”
