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Macc 1 Blackburn 2

James Robson
15/ 7/2008

HAVING given him his start in the managerial game, Macclesfield got Paul Ince off to winning ways in the opening match of his Blackburn career.

Not yet two years after cutting his teeth at Moss Rose, Ince returned to show his former employers just how far he had come.

And treated to a warm reception from a Macclesfield faithful that still hero-worships him, he was also granted a comfortable run out for his new side.

David Dunn's first-half solo effort ensured there would be no upset for the Premier League side, with a Paul Gallagher header just after half time doubling their lead, while Martin Gritton grabbed a consolation for the Silkmen.

For those hoping to see the likes of David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz, they were left disappointed with both players left out of Ince's squad altogether.

Last night the Rovers boss confirmed Aston Villa had made a bid for Bentley while Santa Cruz has been linked with a move to United.

But there was still place for big names like Benni McCarthy, Morten Gamst Pedersen and Dunn, as Ince named a strong side to line up against Keith Alexander's men.

For his part, Macclesfield boss Alexander will have seen much to please him as his created their fair share of opportunities against their top-flight opponents.

But once Dunn snaked his way through the home defence on 41 minutes to stroke past Jon Brain, the result rarely looked in doubt.

Break

And that was only confirmed immediately after the break when Gallagher's tame header squirmed through the keeper's fingertips to put a now entirely changed Blackburn side two goals up.

To Macclesfield's credit, Gritton finished off a good move from the lively Francis Green from close range to pull a goal back on 49 minutes but it couldn't spoil Ince's day.

The new Rovers boss had watched as his side took their time to get into their stride with Matt Derbyshire's speculative long-ranger early on their best chance for much of the first half.

Rather it was Macclesfield who asked questions with Brad Friedel looking shaky after a summer off. The American, who has also been linked with City, spilled Terry Dunfield's 22-yard free-kick, managing only to claim it at the second attempt with Gritton closing in.

And he got his angles all wrong again when another set-piece - this time Sean Hessey's in-swinger from the right - had to be tipped away for a corner.

It was typical of a lively start from Alexander's side, who carved another opening, after impressive work from Green presented Dunfield with a chance just inside the area, which Friedel got down well to stop.

But Blackburn eventually found their feet, with Christopher Samba firing wide from close range on 26 minutes and McCarthy striking the post with a curling snap shot.

Having knocked on the door, Dunn finally found a way through four, minutes before the break.

Brain will want to forget his contribution to Gallagher's strike in the first minute of the second half - but Gritton's goal from inside the six-yard box at least gave the majority of the 2,034-strong crowd reason to cheer.

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