The Silkmen progressed to the Third Round Qualifying of the Emirates FA Cup after a 3-0 win at home to NWCFL side Atherton Laburnum Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
A first senior start was handed to Carlos Dos Santos after his progression from the Macclesfield International Football Group Academy, whilst Josh Kay made his home debut for the Silkmen after arriving on loan from Oldham Athletic ten days ago and appearing for the first time away at Kidderminster Harriers last weekend.
Whilst the Silkmen went into this one as favourites, Atherton’s role as the underdog was not to be underestimated having got the better of local rivals Atherton Colls in the previous round of the tournament.
It was a very even opening period with neither side stamping their authority on the game as they battled hard to find a difference.
There was a slight concern for the Silkmen as James Edmondson required treatment for a knock and was with withdrawn as a precaution after just twelve minutes, making way for Regan Griffiths who took up the vacant role in midfield.
Luke Griffiths was first to rattle Atherton’s cage with a wonderfully executed free kick, which just flew wide of Joe Bickerstaffe’s upright after 20 minutes.
Sean Etaluku was a constant threat throughout the day, beating various Atherton opponents for pace in the wide areas, and delivering dangerous crosses towards Silkmen frontmen Danny Elliott, D’Mani Mellor and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts at the far post, who couldn’t quite convert their respective efforts.
Laburnum Rovers were cheered on by a travelling army of 248 in yellow and blue, creating a great atmosphere all afternoon, and did their supporters proud, ensuring Macclesfield had to work hard for the eventual fruits of their labour.
It was Atherton who came closest to an opener on the brink of the break, via Houghton, whose deflected effort resulted in a corner, from which Harvey Sample spun on a dime and forced Dearnley into a reaction save from point blank range, denying the visitors the beginning of an upset.
Four minutes were added on before the interval, though neither side could find a breakthrough and went in to each of their dressing rooms goalless.
The Silkmen started the second period brightest and were quickest to make their dominant presence felt as Sean Etaluku’s effort from distance found its way through several bodies and into the far corner, just ten minutes in to the second half.
Ethan McLeod, who was introduced just six minutes earlier, began his competitive debut for the Silkmen in the best possible fashion with a tidy finish from close range, doubling Macc’s lead after 63 minutes.
Justin Johnson, Luis Lacey and Danny Whitehead also replaced Luke Griffiths, Carlos Dos Santos and Josh Kay respectively midway through the second half, providing the Silkmen with various fresh options from the bench as Laburnum Rovers began to tire.
Substitute Lacey came close with a free kick which flashed just past Bickerstaffe’s near post, whilst Danny Elliott couldn’t quite meet Justin Johnson’s low cross and D’Mani Mellor failed to hit the target from Sean Etaluku’s delightful cross, with Macc now in the driving seat and looking to put the tie beyond all doubt.
It was D’Mani Mellor though who eventually rounded off proceedings two minutes into the five added on, extending Macc’s lead to three and securing their place in the Third Round Qualifying draw, taking place on Monday afternoon.
Attendance: 1,364
MOTM: Sean Etaluku
