Fin Shrimpton’s second-half strike was enough for Macclesfield as they inflicted an opening day defeat on Marine.
The former Chester midfielder lashed the ball into the roof of the net after the hosts failed to clear a corner, late on to give the visitors the points.
Macclesfield, who are favourites to win promotion to the National League, were forced to weather Marine pressure throughout the contest. But a 71st-minute winner from Shrimpton meant the points return to Cheshire.
Until then, their best chance came when Shrimpton’s cross-cum-shot cannoned off the underside of the bar before being cleared while valiant defending inside Marine’s 18-yard box kept the visitors at bay.
Bobby Grant’s side had the ball in the net early on when Conor McAleny tapped home into an empty net after Charlie Jolley robbed goalkeeper Christian Dibble but the referee adjudged a foul on the shot-stopper.
McAleny then saw his curling effort go agonisingly wide. But their best chance came from Jordan Hodkin, who was only on trial at Macclesfield recently.
A clearance handed the 19-year-old a clear run on goal with Dibble in no man’s land, but the former Crewe Alexandra attacker lifted the ball wide.
Both sides exchanged blows in the second-half with James Butler forced to clear off the line after a cutback ricocheted goalwards.
Fin Sinclair-Smith had endured a quiet afternoon until sparking into life, but he couldn’t drag Marine level with his trademark run from the right deflecting behind.
The deadlock was broken 19 minutes from time when an in-swinging corner fell to the feet of the Shrimpton, powering home into the roof of the net.
Macclesfield saw out the encounter to get off the mark with a win while it was a disappointing start to the season for the Mariners but one where they can take plenty of positives from.
REACTION
Paul Bowes
Declan Drysdale
Analysis: Marine 0-1 Macclesfield
See below for the takeaways from Marine’s opening day defeat to Macclesfield.
