We return to Emirates FA Cup action tomorrow as Scarborough Athletic make the journey to Cheshire. We are looking back at our previous increments as Macclesfield FC over the past few seasons.
On this occasion, our attention turns to our fixture at this stage last season, when we faced Nantwich Town of the Northern Premier League West Division, as we came out narrow 2-0 winners.
The Silkmen started on the front foot, and could have taken an early lead as Justin Johnson’s cross-field ball was laid into the path of Lewis Fensome by Sean Etaluku but the defender forced a smart save out of Ben Garratt in the Dabbers’ goal.
It was the National League North side who dictated the early exchanges of the game, with Justin Johnson and Danny Whitehead both firing shots over the bar from inside the penalty area.
Nantwich arguably had one of the biggest chances of the first half as they pounced on a loose pass from Macc, which saw Joel Connolly run through on goal, but he rushed his shot and never tested Max Dearnley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPNUyETpJeg
The second half started with the Silkmen in the ascendency and Josh Kay put them infront as he peeled away from his man and was found by an intricate James Edmondson pass, before the Oldham loanee fired into the top corner.
Nantwich struggled to test the Silkmen defence, with their only real chance of note coming from a Connolly free kick from 20 yards out, which sailed high and wide.
Paul Dawson did put the ball in the net, but the Silkmen skipper was adjudged to have handled the ball before it went over the goal line.
The Silkmen would get their second goal, and it was a brilliant team move that doubled the advantage. Lovely link up play from Kay and substitute Luis Lacey saw the hosts get in down the left hand side, Luke Duffy received the play and put in a cross which was converted by Danny Elliott.
It could and probably should have been three in the closing stages as Etaluku broke down the left, he squared the ball to Duffy who passed first time to the on-rushing Edmondson but he dragged an effort wide of the near post.
Make sure to get behind the lads this Saturday, as we face fellow Enterprise National League North opposition.
Tickets for this Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup clash are available for purchase HERE.
