The Silkmen made it through to the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup in dramatic fashion and arguably the tie of the round with a 6-3 victory over Enterprise National League South side AFC Totton!
One change was made to the side that put Enterprise National League North leaders South Shields to the sword at the Leasing.com Stadium last Saturday, with Captain Paul Dawson returning from suspension.
The Silkmen took an early lead as Danny Elliott elegantly glanced home Josh Kay’s perfectly weighted cross from the right flank five minutes in.
Totton were level just three minutes later thanks to Tony Lee as his towering header, similar to that of Elliott’s, found the far corner from a deep cross.
Elliott very nearly reinstated Macc’s lead just a minute later, as he saw his flashed effort across goal tipped behind by Hall in the Totton goal.
Danny did manage to do so however a matter of moments later when another Josh Kay through ball found him through on goal, and his initial effort was blocked by Hall, but made no mistake with the rebound!
The visitors were back on level terms again within 5 minutes courtesy of Scott Rendell turning home a Tony Lee cross from the right wing.
Rendell grabbed his second and Totton’s third just before the half hour mark, connecting sweetly with a loose ball, struck on the volley, which looped over Dearnley and in to the far corner, giving the Stags the lead for the first time.
Lewis Fensome came close to restoring parity, though was well denied by the feet of Hall, before Josh Kay fired over from an acute angle as the Silkmen were eager to level proceedings before the break.
Totton were forced in to a change after 33 minutes when Lee Hodson made way, and was replaced by Ralph Vigrass.
Danny Elliott completed an epic first half hat-trick inside 37 minutes to bring the scoreline to 3-3 in what was a whirlwind first half.
Franny Jeffers was shown a yellow card before the half was out for protests against a foul given out of favour of James Edmondson before eight minutes were added on at the end of an action packed first half at the Leasing.com Stadium.
D’Mani Mellor was denied on the turn by Hall seconds before the sides went in level at the break.
Brandon Lee replaced Luis Lacey during the interval as the Silkmen looked to get back in front for a third time.
A Paul Dawson pile-driver ensured just that from the edge of the area, restoring Macc’s lead within a minute of the restart.
Josh Kay was next to try his luck from range, but couldn’t find the target as the Silkmen looked to increase their lead.
Kay was the instigator of yet another Macc opportunity, who would be the standout player of the afternoon if it wasn’t for Elliott’s hat-trick, though Menayese couldn’t convert his cross at the back post.
D’Mani Mellor was denied shortly after as Hall pushed the creative attacker’s curling effort round the post with Macc continuing to pile on the pressure in search of a fifth, remarkably just to provide some breathing space.
Rollin Menayese did just that from the set piece, turning home Sam Heathcote’s ball back across goal on 65 minutes, as he kept the move alive at the back post.
Josh Kay left the field to a standing ovation with fifteen to play. Luke Duffy took his place to see out the tie for the closing stages.
Lewis Fensome then made sure of a place in the second round, driving forward on to a loose ball and placing beyond Hall via the far post to extend the deficit to three.
Max Woltman was handed his Silkmen debut by John Rooney with seven minutes to play as he replaced the lively Justin Johnson.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts and Regan Griffiths were also each introduced for the closing stages, replacing fourth goalscorer Paul Dawson and hat-trick hero Danny Elliott respectively with 120 seconds left on the clock.
Four minutes were added before Macclesfield FC were officially deemed through to the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time ever!
Attendance: 2,197 (198)
MOTM: Danny Elliott
