Oxford City’s wait for an away victory went on in Enterprise National League North as they were beaten 3-0 away at FA Cup giant-killers Macclesfield. 

The Silkmen came into the game on a high after producing a famous shock against cup holders Crystal Palace last week, and never looked like the momentum had left them from the off, as City’s injury/illness hit squad had to dig deep. 

Goals from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and two late D’Mani Mellor goals sealed the win for Macclesfield.

Illness struck the City squad in the week. That meant that Zac McEachran, DJ Sturridge and Aaron Harper-Bailey missed out on the team. Isaac Westendorf, Alfie Potter and Latrell Humphrey-Ewers all came into the side. 

New signing Jonny Maxted started on a bench of five. Whereas the team were still without the injured Tom Scott, Jack Bearne and Geneiro Maragh.

A feisty first-half belonged to the hosts, with City having to dig deep with a threadbare squad. 

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts was a constant thorn in City’s side, but for the most-part, George Burroughs was well up to the challenge when marshalling him on the wing. 

Sam Lewis was called into action to make a number of standard (but solid) saves to deny Macclesfield, with Luke Duffy stinging his palms mid-way through the half. 

However, It was captain Paul Dawson who came closest for the Silkmen. Saturday’s FA Cup hero almost opening the scoring for the second time in a row before his free-kick dipped over the bar. 

But as long as the Hoops are in a game, they create chances. Josh Ashby had City’s best chance of the half, but his volley dipped just wide of the post as they looked to snatch the lead against the run of play.

Half-Time: Macclesfield 0-0 Oxford City 

However, as the second-half progressed, big spending Macclesfield’s squad depth showed, and City’s injury-hit side were eventually caught out. 

Buckley-Ricketts scored the first goal after Mellor beat the offside trap to simply play the ball across goal for the winger to tap in the opener. 

From there, City continued to dig in, but they couldn’t find a way through. O’Shea Ellis and George Burroughs’ speculative efforts didn’t test Dearnley as City searched for a leveller. 

However, as they did, they were hit on the break. 

A corner was sent in and the host’s countered. This time Mellor grabbed a goal after forcing Sam Lewis into a solid save, before tapping the ball into the net after it spiralled into the air from Lewis’ original save. 

There was still time for a third goal for Macclesfield deep into added time, which is perhaps harsh on the Hoops. Again, Mellor was the scorer, after he was given time to bring the ball down and place a shot past Lewis to make it 3-0. 

An injury/illness hit City couldn’t quite match their big spending counterparts, but they’ll brush themselves down and go again on Saturday at home to AFC Fylde. 

Attendance:  3,158 (25 OCFC Fans)

Oxford City Starting XI:  Lewis, Roddy, Ashby, Johnson, Ellis, Westendorf (Parker 35’), Wiggett, Potter, Clark, Burroughs, Humphrey-Ewers (Wilson 74')

Subs not used:  Maxted, McConnell, Bitencourt De Oliveira