Silkmen manager Alex Bruce was delighted with his side’s performance after Saturday’s FA Trophy victory against higher opposition in Curzon Ashton.
Bruce remains unbeaten since taking charge of the Silkmen at the end of October and Saturday’s victory against one of the National League North’s form sides made a statement. Bruce was pleased with the performance and was happy with the team’s progression.
He said: “We will take each game at a time, but we’ve shown again today that we are a good team.
“Curzon have been in a good vain of form, winning five out of the last six in the league above.”
Bruce went on to say: “I said to the players, this is where we want to get to. This is the standard and there is no reason why you can’t go and compete because when you do you look a good team.”
Victory means that Macclesfield progress through to the Last 32 of the Isuzu FA Trophy with the draw now opening up to the whole country.
The Silkmen had to be patient and wait for their chance and two second half goals from Luke Duffy and Alex Curran against his former club helped take the visitors over the line.
Curzon frustrated Macc at times making it difficult to create opportunities but Bruce stated that patience was important against a good defensive side. He said:
“Especially in the first half, when we worked the ball and moved the ball quickly and got into good areas, we were just a little impatient when we got in the final third.
“I said to them at half time if you carry on doing that, keep playing your football, don’t get frustrated the chances will come and thankfully they did.”
Whilst patience was a key element in Macc’s attacking plan, defensively The Silkmen were resolute and limited The Nash to very few clear cut opportunities. Dylan Berry had very little saves to make in the Silkmen goal and Bruce praised the defensive unit.
He said: “I was really pleased with them, I thought the back four and goalkeeper when he was needed were excellent.
“I thought Lewis Fensome stepping in at right back, he’s obviously not a natural right back but he did a really good job.
“Their concentration levels were key because it was a difficult afternoon, the conditions were poor so I was pleased with the concentration levels and how they performed.”
The Silkmen now look forward to this afternoon’s draw with a place in the Last 16 at stake before Bradford Park Avenue travel to The Leasing.com Stadium on Saturday.
