The New Saints draw 1-1 with Macclesfield in their final pre-season friendly

Match Report

Following their UEFA Champions League victory in Montenegro on Tuesday, The New Saints were back in action at Park Hall this afternoon as they took on Macclesfield in a pre-season friendly.

With the team largely made up of players not involved in the recent European matches, it proved to be a useful exercise to keep the entire group ticking over ahead of another important match against Ferencváros in three day’s time.

The Saints could’ve opened the scoring with less than three minutes played, but after racing through on goal, visiting goalkeeper, Max Dearnley, pulled off a good save to deny Trialist B.

With 20 minutes on the clock, Tom Jones had a great chance to break the deadlock, but after unleashing a volley from the edge of the six-six-yard box, Danny Whitehead slid in to make a vital block.

Four minutes later, a superb one-handed save from Jack Edwards denied Justin Johnson from distance, before the resulting corner was well defended.

In the 32nd minute, however, the game’s opening goal did eventually arrive, as Trialist B turned the ball home at the back post following a cross from Ash Baker.

The Silkmen hit back though two minutes before the interval, when Alex Curran beat the offside trap and slotted beneath Jack Edwards.

Chances were much more limited following the restart, but in the 62nd minute, Neil Kengni could’ve give the visitors the lead after a surging run.

Despite cutting into the box from the left, the Silkmen’s number two could only find the side netting with his effort, and the ball went behind for a goal kick.

In the 69th minute, half-time substitute, Trialist D, had a go from the edge of the penalty area, but failed to test Dearnley in goal.

Six minutes from time, Tom Jones flashed an effort across the face of goal, as the home side pushed for a winner.

It was Macclesfield who had the final chance of the match in the 89th minute though, as Trialist C was denied by Jack Edwards at close range.

Starting line-up: Jack Edwards; Ash Baker (Trialist D 46), Blaine Hudson (Jack Airlie 63), Ben Woollam, Trialist A; Dan Williams (Luke Johnston 46), Rory Holden (Jake Canavan 46), Trialist B (Ciao Humphreys 69); Sion Bradley (Nathan Doforo 46), Tom Jones, Trialist C