In the build-up to our Emirates FA Cup Second Round Qualifying Round against Redcar Athletic, we are flashing back to our previous clashes at this stage as Macclesfield FC.
The first fixture we are flashing back to is from the 2022/23 season, as Danny Whitaker’s Silkmen travelled to Leicestershire to take on Coalville Town in the Second Round Qualifying of the competition.
It was a strong Silkmen side that took on Coalville that day, but were stung by a 90th-minute winner.
The Silkmen started as the better of the two sides, and should have took an early lead as Laurent Mendy drove through the midfield before dinking an intricate ball over the top for James Berry who fired marginally past the far post.
Berry again went close for the Silkmen as he peeled away at the far post but poked Alex Curran’s pinpoint cross past the post.
The hosts began to grow into the game, and very nearly went ahead but for an excellent diving stop from Marcelo Pitaluga to deny Tom McGlinchey.
Coalville momentum kept building and they were awarded a penalty as Pitaluga was adjudged to have brought down Tim Berridge inside the six yard box although there appeared to be very little contact.
Justice would be served for Macc, as Ash Chambers saw his penalty come back off the left-hand post and the Ravens would fail to make anything of the follow-up.
In an action packed first half, Curran went close for Macc as Berry’s short free kick found the forward who drilled a shot wide of goal.
The hosts would start the second half the better of the two and had two opportunities which were deflected past the post.
Luke Shaw would be the next to test his luck for the Ravens but he dragged an effort which was never testing Pitaluga.
The Silkmen were having to do a lot of defending in the second half, however one of the few chances they had came through Neil Kengni who drilled a shot over the bar from the edge of the box.
Coalville came forward again and forced a smart stop out of Liverpool loanee Pitaluga as Tendai Chitiza and a familiar face in George Wilson combined before the former tested the gloves of the Brazilian.
The 90th minute had arrived, and the Silkmen’s defensive resolve was broken, as a free kick to the back post was powerfully headed past Pitaluga from Chitiza to surely win it for the Ravens.
Macc very nearly took it to a replay, but Nicky Maynard’s deflected header went just over Paul White’s crossbar and was ultimately the last chance as Macc were knocked out by Coalville Town.
