16th March 2019

In an open start to proceedings, Alex Fisher struck the post before the Silkmen took an early lead through James Pearson.

The visitors doubled their advantage on 33 minutes when Harry Smith fired home to leave the green and whites with a mountain to climb after the break.

Struggling to break down a compact Macclesfield defence the deficit couldn’t be reduced as the hosts suffered a potentially costly defeat at Huish Park. 

Falling to defeat on the road in midweek, Darren Way made two changes to the side for the return home. 

Altering the front two completely, Fisher came in for a first start in three matches alongside veteran striker Francois Zoko as Tristan Abrahams moved back to the right wing. 

With Courtney Duffus dropping to the bench and Rhys Browne (hamstring) absent, Gary Warren (hamstring) and Sessi D’Almeida (suspended) were the only other forced absentees.

On a blustery afternoon in BA22 where both sides had to battle strong winds as well as the oppositon, the visitors were quickest to settle in a game of real importance at the bottom of League Two. 

Despite Sol Campbell’s side showing early attacking intent, it was Town who registered the first meaningful attempt on goal that almost broke the deadlock. 

Neat work from Zoko on the byline resulted in a pass to his striker partner in the middle, but after turning neatly on the penalty spot Fisher’s shot came back off the base of the post. 

Unlucky not to find themselves ahead, the Glovers fell behind just three minutes later as the 20-minute mark approached. 

Ben Stephens raced into space over the top and with support in the middle, squared the ball for Pearson who swept home confidently.

Needing a quick response the green and whites almost got it when Fisher’s header from an Alefe Santos corner had to be cleared off the line by David Fitzpatrick before the series of unfortunate events continued. 

Picking up an early knock Alex Pattison had to be withdrawn to see Matt Worthington enter the fray. 

However, before the substitute had the chance to touch the ball Macc doubled their lead through Smith. 

Recycling the play from a corner, former Town loanee Reece Cole whipped in a cross for the target man to volley past Nathan Baxter from close range.

Following a pattern, Way’s side then went close again to reducing the arrears as Alex Dobre had an acrobatic volley palmed away by Kieran O’Hara, continuing their frustration in front of goal. 

In a last flurry of action before the break, Smith curled a 20-yard strike just wide for the visitors whilst at the other end Dobre somehow failed to connect with Abrahams’ sumptuous looking ball into the middle. 

Needing a drastic turnaround, the hosts made their final two changes before the hour-mark as Bevis Mugabi and Ryan Seager were introduced.

Producing a more open affair, the outlet of Dobre became more involved with a series of driving runs that threatened to open up the visiting defence. 

Led by the Romanian the Glovers began to enjoy more territory and almost set up a tense final 20 minutes when Zoko rounded the advanced O’Hara. 

Pushed wide by the onrushing stopper the Ivorian searched for Fisher in the middle but the chance went amiss as Zac Jules headed clear. 

Committing numbers forward in search of a way back into the game, a glorious chance presented itself on the break for Macc. 

Clean through on goal Smith attempted to round Baxter but was left red-faced when the ‘keeper brilliantly pounced on the ball, but unable to produce any late drama at the other end it was to be defeat for the hosts after a lacklustre performance.

Yeovil Town: Baxter; James, Sowunmi, Gafaiti, Grant; Abrahams (Mugabi 46′), Santos (Seager 54′), Pattison (Worthington 28′), Dobre; Fisher, Zoko.
Bookings: Fisher 68′, Gafaiti 78′
Subs not used: Nelson, Ojo, Arquin, Duffus.

Macclesfield Town: O’Hara; Pearson, Cameron, Kelleher, Jules, Fitzpatrick; Durrell, Rose, Cole (Whitaker 90′); Stephens (Evans 75′), Smith.
Bookings: Cameron 53′, Durrell 82′
Subs not used: Idem, Welsh-Hayes, Wilson, Marsh, Martis.