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Macclesfield 20 Fylde 41

7/11/2007

TROUBLED Macclesfield have now made their worst start to a campaign in 20 years.

For the third game in succession Macc’s defence leaked 40 points in their worst season opening since the formation of leagues back in 1988 and one wonders just where the squad can find that elusive spark to get back on track.

Macclesfield kicked off on a bright afternoon at Priory Park but they had clearly forgotten just how powerful the Fylde wing combination of Nick Royle and Oliver Brennand are. After just four minutes they found out when Brennand crossed for his first try of the day after the home side had been harshly penalised.

Ross Winney put the home side on the board with a penalty but missed with another just six minutes later in what, at that stage, was a scrappy and somewhat fractious encounter and it was Fylde who struck next when newcomer Steve Nutt scored their second try.

In an immediate response, a line out and drive saw Macc lock Jerry Bostock claim the first try for the Blues and Winney’s conversion levelled at 10-10.

Fylde lost Nick King to a yellow card for foul play on the half hour and Macclesfield capitalised with a fine try from Fergus Mulchrone after good approach work.

The conversion went wide but the Blues were now playing with more confidence but, in first-half injury time, a dreadful pass gave the visitors an opportunity to attack and Royle punished them with a try which was converted to give Fylde a 17-15 interval lead.

It fell apart after Peter Allen was shown a yellow card for a technical offence. Fylde simply ran riot as tries from Alan Holmes, Richard Kenyon and Brennand gave them an unassailable 36-15 lead.

Brennand completed his hat-trick after Macclesfield lost possession and it was game over at 41-15 before Chris Micklewood scored a consolation try for the Blues.

Macc are still striving for consistency and leadership on the field.

After the game assistant coach Brendan Thomas said: "As always, we have got to look at the positives.

"We played well in patches and scored good tries but collective lapses in concentration and individual tackling lost us the game."