After a short illness I decided to stay local and the intriguing visit of Macclesfield to Worksop caught my eye. Both these clubs have over recent years battled their way up the leagues to the National League North. Macclesfield in a more flamboyant manner. This season the high profile Robbie Savage has left the club to manage Forest Green but the Silkmen have continued to make big waves knocking out Crystal Palace the current FA Cup holders in the previous round even though there is a difference of 5 leagues between them. They now face another Premiership team, Brentford, at home in the next round. They are also still not out of the running for promotion from the National League North even though they are 11th. Winning their games in hand will be crucial.
Worksop by contrast are battling strongly to stay in this league and build a solid platform for the future. Macclesfield have also continued their high profile manager model appointing John Rooney, Wayne’s brother, for this season.
With the miserable grey wet winter continuing it was a pleasure to make my way into the stadium on a sunny clear day. It may have been only 6 degrees but the sun, bright blue skies with the odd whispy white cloud scuttling overhead was a cheerful interlude.
This ground, as always looked tidy and smart and not this game was segregated with the home fans having the seated stand side and the main facilities.
Worksop Town 2 Macclesfield 4
Saturday 24th January 2026, 15.00 pm kick off.
National Premier League North.
Tigers v Silkmen, 16th v 11th
Attendance 1110
Worksop; yellow and black vertical stripes to the front of shirts, all yellow backs with some black patterns on the bottom, black shorts. Goalkeeper in all green.
Macclesfield; Royal Blue shirts with white sleeves and royal blue shorts. Goalkeeper in all red.
With both teams still trying to find their rhythm Worksop took the lead with just 6 minutes gone. Lewis Whitham received the ball to the left of the goal area and unleashed a dipping shot that deceived the defenders and the goalkeeper to nestle in the far corner of the net. He ran to celebrate in front of the away fans but unfortunately a pint of beer/lager was thrown over him and the game was stopped for several minutes.
Macclesfield responded and hit the post with 12 minutes gone and two minutes later Luke Duffy ran on to a through ball, took it under control and easily slotted it past the keeper. The away team started to stamp their authority on the game and went ahead on 30 minutes when luke Duffy added to his tally when unopposed he was able to swivel and watch his right foot shot slam into the left hand corner of the goal. Macclesfield left the pitch at half time on top and comfortable for their lead.
Worksop found a new lease of life after the break and started to put pressure on Macclesfield down the wings in particular on the left. These attack were fruitful after just 6 minutes of the restart when Sam Heathcote turned the ball into his own net after pressure from the left.
Worksop were now the dominant team and pressed forward but Macclesfield used their heads and slowed the game down at throw ins and goal kicks. Their Physio should at one time taken up residence on the pitch as she was continually called to away players complaining of injuries.
The away team had weathered the storm and with 10 minutes left D’Ani Mellor had a free header at the far post when a corner was headed on to him. worksop went full out attack leaving only one at the back and unfortunately paid for it when in injury time D’Ani Mellor again, ran on from the half way line, to a through ball, and calmly made it four.
Macclesfield were pleased to ease past Worksop and continue their rise in the league to 9th with games in hand and worksop couldn’t have been despondent in their performance which at one time looked as if they would have secured at least one point.
The chips were hot, golden, not greasy, looked good but somehow they never seem to hit the mark at Worksop. They lack taste and seem to be dry. A score of only 61. The Oxo, cubes made in Worksop, was good.
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