Merthyr 1 – 2 Macclesfield: Tom Handley screamer not enough as Martyrs fall to another defeat

Merthyr Town 1 – 2 Macclesfield

Handley 67′	Kay 70′
	Edmondson 87′

Another Tom Handley 25 yard screamer was not enough for Merthyr as they fell to defeat to Macclesfield, whilst also dropping out of the playoff places for the first time since late October 2025.

It was another changed starting XI from last weeks loss at Hereford, with Garrick, Handley, Harris and K Evans all dropping to the bench in place of Cox, Maddox, Williams and Rai. At the start of the day the Martyrs were occupying the playoffs positions, however a win was needed to tighten their grip on a top 7 finish.

It was a much improved start from the home side as they looked to take an early lead. Despite early dominance it was the Silkmen who made the first clearcut chance, although Dawson was unable to keep his shot down after a dangerous cross from Osborne.

Cox was unable to get solid contact with his header after good work from Rai, before Menayese was called into action with a last ditch tackle to stop Twamley. Merthyr were continuing to stretch the visitors and their best chance of an opener came through Jay Williams, whose header back across goal had Ravenhill at full stretch to push away. 

The Martyrs were having success with a number of counter attacks, with Twamley, Rai & Cox being given more and more space across the middle. It was one of these counter attacks that Twamley picked up the ball and ghosted past Menayese before knocking the ball past the retreating Heathcote. Knowing that he was beaten and was the last man, he took Twamley out and received a second yellow for his troubles. The visitors were down to 10 men and what an opportunity for the Martyrs.

Merthyr continued to push forward but the Silkmen defended well until the break. A great first half against a fellow playoff contender and surely it was only a matter of time until we scored against 10 men.

The second half began and Macclesfield were content to sit back and be defensively sound. Merthyr were continually switching the ball side to side, but were unable to break through the defence that was sat back on the edge of the box. Handley was found in space on the right hand side of the box, but couldn’t keep his half volley down. A few moments later he wouldn’t be denied with an absolute screamer. As Macclesfield sat in, Maddox laid the ball off to Handley who was in the centre of the goal. He took a touch and unleashed a 25 yard thunderbolt which flew past the sprawling Ravenhill. That is now 4 goals for Handley against Macclesfield this season, with 3 of them being screamers despite only playing 65 minutes. Merthyr 1 – 0 Macclesfield.

The lead lasted all of three minutes as the Jac Thomas had pushed up on the overlap – possession was lost and the Silkmen were quick on the counter, with Kay dashing into the space left by Thomas. He was played in and colly slotted past Cogman for the equaliser. Merthyr 1 – 1 Macclesfield.

The home side continued to push for the winner with both Jack and Kieran Evans both going close. Merthyr had had so much possession that a goal was coming at any moment. Unfortunately, it went to the visitors in the dying moments (again!).

A Twamley corner was headed clear by Duffy at the front post, with Edmondson winning the dual against Kieran Evans just outside of the box to come away with the ball. Unbelievably, this gave the visitors a 2 on 1 as they went the length of the pitch, with Edmondson playing a 1-2 with Papoola to finish past the stranded Cogman. Absolutely criminal to concede like this from our own corner. Merthyr 1 – 2 Macclesfield.

Handley could have equalised deep into injury time after Cox laid the ball back from the byline, but it was not meant to be. Credit to Macclesfield who put in a streetwise performance to not only get the win, but also seal a playoff place.

That is now 1 win, 6 losses and 1 draw in our last 8 games which puts us more or less bottom of the form table. Unbelievably if we beat Marine on Tuesday we are back in the playoff mix. Lets see what Tuesday brings before we face the long trip to Scarborough.

Up The Town

Gavin Burns