Moss Rose Misery as Torquay Lose Season Opener
Opening day defeat is never on anybody’s script, but Torquay’s recent record against Macclesfield together with their pre-season victory against West Brom will have left Gulls fans hoping for more than they got at Moss Rose on Saturday afternoon.
Macclesfield started the match with intent with Brendan Moore making the first real save after Luke Young’s wayward pass had presented winger Jack Mackreth with an early opportunity for the Silkmen. Danny Whittaker was the next to come close, given the time and space he needed to curl a shot just over. Torquay then started to get a grip on the match but there was not much Moore could have done against Macclesfield’s opener, on 24 minutes, Ollie Norburn showing great technique to volley home Danny Rowe’s cross. Mackreth also had another good chance before the Gulls managed their first decent chance of the half, Craig Ross forced into action as Dan Sparkes drilled Brett Williams cross towards goal. Mackreth and Rowe continued to look dangerous but play was disrupted when Ben Gerring and Jack Sampson collided heavily, both nursing sore heads in the aftermath. Aman Verma and Nathan Blissett almost sent Williams through on goal as Torquay pressed for that equaliser, but the chance was snuffed out and the first half ended shortly afterwards.
John McCombe had a chance to increase Macclesfield’s lead with a header early in the second period and it was time for some fresh legs for the visitors, Jamie Reid and Sam Chaney coming on and immediately making a nuisance of themselves, Chaney firing over from a free-kick and then having a goalbound shot blocked. On the other hand, cracks were opening up at the back presenting the hosts with chances to end the contest. This they did, on 65 minutes, when Chris Holroyd’s scruffy shot bounced over Moore and off the crossbar before finding the net. Reid, Chaney and Blissett continued to fight for a way back but it was not to be and Kevin Nicholson’s men will now look ahead to Tuesday’s home opener against Bromley to get points on the board.
[box]
TUFC: Moore, Rowe-Turner, Lathrope (Chaney 56), Gerring, Young (Scrivens 75), Blissett, Richards, Sparkes, Verma, Williams (Reid 66), McGinty.
Subs Not Used: Duke, Nicholson.
TUFC Bookings: Williams, Richards.
Attendance: 1,501.
Referee: Mr T. Neild.
[/box]
