Blyth Spartans v Macclesfield | Saturday, 29 March 2025 - 15:00 | League

Spartans were comfortably beaten 5-0 by champions Macclesfield.

The visitors took the lead in 17th minute through Danny Elliot before Sean Etaluku doubled their lead in the 42nd minute.

Macclesfield then got their 3rd of the game in the 55th minute thanks to Tre Pemberton. Second half substitute John Rooney scored from range to make 4-0 in the 64th minute before D'Mani Mellor got in on the action in the 68th minute to make it 5-0.

Before the game started, the fates of both sides had already been decided with Spartans already relegated and Macclesfield being crowned champions.

Macclesfield started the match comfortably and stayed that way for the majority of the game. They looked composed on the ball before springing into action in the 5th minute when Brandon Lee's cross met the head of Mellor in the box, but Lewis Baker in the Blyth goal was able to get it clear.

In the 17th minute, the Silkmen got their first goal of the game when Elliott managed to break down the Spartans defence and put the ball past Baker.

A strong challenge in the 19th minute by Ben Milburn resulted in complaints from the Macclesfield coaching team. Milburn was booked by the referee and so was Macclesfield manager Robbie Savage.

23 minutes into the game, Macclesfield went close again when Neil Kengni played in Mellor, but the ball trickled past Baker's right post and out for a goal kick.

2 minutes later, a free kick was awarded to Macclesfield after a handball call on Joe Oliver. The free kick, on the edge of the box was hit straight at Baker.

In the 42nd minute, Etaluku doubled the visitor's lead. He came in from the right onto his left foot then unleashed a strike towards the far post.

Half time: Blyth Spartans 0-2 Macclesfield

Spartans had bright start to the second half when Jack Camarda met a cross with a volley but it was caught by Max Dearnley in goal for Macclesfield.

Although Spartans looked brighter, Macclesfield still remained comfortable and made it 3-0 in the 55th when Pemberton charged into the box, cut inside onto his left foot and slotted it in at the near post.

Macclesfield continued to look relaxed in possession and waited for their chances to strike. One of those came in the 64th minute when second half substitute Rooney hit a strike from just outside the box that went past a diving Baker to make it 4-0.

The visitors were in cruise control and they made it 5-0 in the 68th minute thanks to a goal from Mellor.

Spartans did manage to put some pressure on Macclesfield towards the end of the game and in the 80th minute, defensive mix up by Macclesfield led to the ball being played to Dean Briggs in a good position who fired it straight at the keeper.

Full time: Blyth Spartans 0-5 Macclesfield

Blyth Spartans - Baker, Oliver (Pentland, 62), Holvey (Parker, 87), McClafferty, Milburn, Almond, Camarda (Simpson, 83), Richardson, Hooper (Aitken, 71), Prudhoe (Briggs, 56), Deverdics (c)

Yellow cards - Milburn (19)

Macclesfield - Dearnley, Pemberton, Lee, Fensome (Heathcote, 52), Menayese, Kengni (c)(De Girolamo, 52), Etaluku (Gabon, 52), Mendy (Rooney, 62), Mellor, Elliot, Duffy (Savage, 69)

Goals - Elliot (17), Etaluku (42), Pemberton (56), Rooney (65), Mellor (68)

Referee - Ryan Moore