SILKMEN SKIPPER SINKS STAMFORD
Macclesfield FC reached the First Round Proper of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Southern Premier League Central Division side Stamford AFC, thanks a solitary Paul Dawson goal.
Two enforced changes were made to the side that fell to defeat at home to Marine last Saturday, with Rollin Menayese and Luke Duffy returning to the starting eleven in place of the suspended Josh Kay and injured Sean Etaluku.
There was also a place for Manager John Rooney on the bench, who remains registered as a player and was therefore able to make the numbers up on the team sheet.
A minute’s silence was observed impeccably ahead of kick off as we remembered George Sievwright, John Imrie and Tony Masheder after each of their recent passing’s.
The Silkmen came closest to opening the scoring first after just five minutes when Danny Elliott found the underside of the crossbar from close range but couldn’t make the breakthrough.
Max Dearnley was alert to the pace of Kai Tongue who raced clean through on more than one occasion, but Macc’s number one was first to the ball each time.
Justin Johnson was utilised regularly as he created vast amounts of space to run in to and attack his opposing full back at speed, making him a continuous threat out wide all afternoon.
The Silkmen hit the post again just after the half an hour mark when Luke Duffy’s well struck free kick crashed back off the far post.
After continuous pressure, Captain Paul Dawson opened the scoring, curling a delightful strike beyond Tom Jackson into the far top corner after 37 minutes.
The woodwork was battered for a third time by a D’Mani Mellor half volley just three minutes later, though it remained a one goal deficit at the break.
Former Macclesfield Town man Elliott Durrell was withdrawn at the interval for the visitors, to a round of applause from the home support.
A flurry of substitutions ensued for both sides throughout the second half as they looked to make a difference to the score line.
Luke Duffy was first to leave the field for the Silkmen in place of Isaac Buckley-Ricketts as he provided a different option out on the wing.
Brandon Lee and James Edmondson departed simultaneously ten minutes from time as Luis Lacey and Danny Whitehead took up their respective positions.
Despite both sides best efforts to add to Paul Dawson’s only goal on the scoresheet in the latter stages, it remained at 1-0 throughout the four minutes of additional time.
Macclesfield FC enter the First Round Proper draw for the first time ever on Monday evening live on TNT Sports.
Attendance: 1,605
MOTM: Justin Johnson
