Torquay United 1 v 1 Macclesfield Town
Torquay United’s last game of the 2014/15 season finished with a 1-1 draw against Macclesfield Town at the Launa Windows Stadium on Saturday night.
The Gulls came into the fixture on the back of three straight wins and manager Chris Hargreaves resisted the temptation of starting captain Luke Young and top scorer Ryan Bowman and went with the players that had performed so well over the last few games.
Macclesfeild went into the game with the chance of still making the play-offs if they managed a win and other results went their way but it was the home side who took the lead against the run of play in the 24th minute through Louis Briscoe.
James McQuilkin free kick found its way to Ashley Yeoman, who’s first shot was blocked before the forward found Aaron Downs with a clever back heel. Downs quickly found Briscoe, who side footed the ball into the bottom right corner of the visitors net from 12 yards out.
Torquay then controlled proceedings for the rest of the first half with Kadell Daniel going close on two separate occasions in quick succession. First the young midfielder was thwarted from close range by Taylor in the visitors goal before the same player tipped a 35 yard direct free kick over the bar.
The Gulls should have taken a two goal lead however into the break. A fine through ball from McQuilkin found Toby Ajala, who’s pace beat the visitors back line but the player showed little composure as he fired over the bar from close range.
If United had the better of the first half, Macclesfield easily had the better of the second and their pressure was rewarded after 71 minutes when Waide Fairhurst headed the equalizer at the far post, after a long throw from Andy Halls was flicked on by Paul Turnball. Maccelsfiled continued to created chances in the half as they chased that winning goal that could have secured their play-off place, with Fairhurst and Turnball going close.
Torquay almost finished the season in style but substitute John Campbell saw his 90 minute strike smash against the post from a tight angle before being cleared away.
In his post match interview United manger Chris Hargreaves said how proud he was of his players today, “We created lots of chances and showed great energy, it’s just a shame that we switched off for that one moment. With three wins and a draw the lads certainly haven’t downed tools in the last month of the season”.
Before the match skipper Luke Young picked up the player of the season award, with Ryan Bowman finishing as top scorer with 19 goals for the campaign.
TUFC: Lavercombe, Dawson, Pearce, Downs (Capt), Ives, Daniel, Harding, McQuilkin (Richards 82), Ajala, Briscoe (Campbell 79), Yeoman (Bowman 73)
Subs Not Used: Young, Gueguen
Bookings: None
Macclesfield Twn: Taylor, Halls, Grant, Audel, Barrow, Moke, Turnbull (Capt), Whitaker, Rowe (Barnes-Homer 61), Holroyd, Fairhurst
Subs Not Used: Lewis, Cowan, Haining, Branagan
Bookings: None
Attendance: 2,260 (220 Away)
