Browse Sections

• Macclesfield Town FC
• Local football
• Local cricket
• Golf

Bishop leaves Macc without a prayer

29/ 8/2002

SOCCER: An Ian Bishop-inspired Rochdale second string thumped Macclesfield reserves 4-1 in the Avon Insurance League Division One West on Wednesday.

David Moss decided to give all four of Macc's first-team strikers 45 minutes in a strong reserve line-up, which also included Chris Byrne, Lee Hardy, Chris Priest and Dave Ridler.

But Dale fielded a side that included first-team strikers Paul Connor and Kevin Townson, as well as ex-Manchester City midfielder Bishop, his one time Maine Road team-mate Richard Jobson and former Macc midfielder Kieron Durkan.

It was Connor who gave Dale the lead in the 15th minute when he lost Ridler to volley in Stephen Hill's left-wing cross from close range.

Kyle Lightbourne and Lee Glover made little headway against a solid Rochdale defence before being replaced at half-time by Matt Tipton and Neil Robinson.

But Dale took control when Connor drilled in a second in the 57th minute after Durkan teed him up.

Connor then nodded down a Hill long ball for Townson to smashed a third in off the post.

And Townson scored the goal of the match in the 67th minute, spotting Lee Martin off his line and chipping the keeper from 25 yards.

Chris Byrne pulled one back with a quick free-kick that caught out Dale keeper Matthew Gilks, but the match was no contest.