Three points...
Stevenage returned to winning ways on Saturday as Danny Newton’s first goal of the season made all the difference in a tight contest against Macclesfield at home.
After opening the scoring just before half-time, Stevenage saw out the game in a professional fashion against a spirited Macclesfield side to record their third victory from seven games.
Dino Maamria named four changes to the side that were defeated by Cambridge just a week earlier – Kennedy, Ball, Timlin and Nugent all restored to the starting line-up to try and give the team the impetus needed to bounce back with a win after two straight defeats.
It was another quiet opening to the game from Stevenage who took around 15 minutes to get going and really start threatening the Silkmen defence.
Alex Revell had the first good chance of the game, chasing onto a long ball over the top before taking it past the keeper, only to lose his footing at the crucial moment. Seconds later, James Ball picked up the ball on the edge but his low, arrowed shot flew just wide of the post.
Familiar face, Peter Vincenti had a lively opening to the game and could have scored twice inside the first 25 minutes. Farman was too sharp for his audacious chip on 16 minutes whilst five minutes later, the former Stevenage man couldn’t quite get on the end of a teasing cross by Welch—Hayes.
As the clock hit the half hour mark, Stevenage were well on top and perhaps with a bit more sharpness, Danny Newton would have netted his first of the season after James-Wildin crossed for the striker following a strong run down the right.
Maamria’s men really picked up the ante just before the half as Revell saw a goal-bound header cleared off the line and Timlin hit a fierce strike that flew narrowly wide of the far post.
Macclesfield’s Napa fired high and wide in a rare Silkmen attack but it never looked like troubling Farman’s goal and right before the half was out, Stevenage struck.
Danny Newton back in the goals with his first of the season as he headed in from Kennedy’s corner to make it 1-0. A welcome return to goalscoring form for Stevenage’s top marksman last season.
After a comfortable start to the second half, Stevenage’s first change of the game came on 60 minutes and on Academy Day, it was former scholar Arthur Iontton who replaced Michael Timlin.
Macclesfield’s biggest threat throughout the game was Malachi Napa, who had numerous shots on goal throughout the game, all to no avail. The attacker came close again on 65 minutes as his long-range shot was dragged wide.
Substitute Harry Smith could have levelled things up with 20 minutes left as he burst through on goal but a heavy touch allowed Farman to come out and make the stop.
It was a nervy spell in the game for Boro as the Silkmen began to push forward. Steve Seddon was needed to make an absolutely vital block during a goal-line scramble that but for his intervention, would have hit the back of the net.
Sonupe replaced Kennedy on 75 minutes and Guthrie replaced Newton as Stevenage were made to dug-in for the remaining minutes of the game.
Macclesfield’s best chance for an equaliser came during six minutes of added time as Keith Lowe’s rapturous shot cannoned into Ben Nugent’s face, denying the Silkmen a first road win of the season.