A momentous day in the history of Macclesfield FC as a professional display over Trafford helped to cap off back to back promotions and seal the NPL West crown.
The Silkmen came into the day knowing that victory and Leek Town dropping points at Clitheroe would seal the deal.
Neil Danns’ men started the game firmly on the front foot and took the lead within five minutes as Brandon Lee’s cross was brilliantly brought down by Dan Sweeney who created a yard of space before slotting past Cooper.
Just five minutes later, Macc were awarded a penalty as Kane Drummond was fouled in the box after the referee originally tried to play the advantage.
Alex Curran stepped up to take the resulting spot kick and sent the keeper the wrong way to double Mac’s advantage.
Sweeney was in the mood the goals and nearly pulled off a spectacular overhead kick from Lee’s cross but it flies just over.
A hectic two minute period followed as Trafford were then awarded a penalty for a foul in the area. Max Hazeldine stepped up for the visitors but his spot kick was excellently saved by Wyll Stanway who guessed the right way down to his right.
However it would be Hazeldine who would have the last laugh as he managed to lob the on rushing Stanway just a minute after the Macc shot stopper had denied him from the spot to get the visitors back in it.
Macc very nearly made it three as Neil Kengni managed to wriggle his way through the penalty box before getting a shot off not really testing Cooper.
Kengni would get his goal as he got Macclesfield’s third with a lovely cushioned half volley into the far bottom corner to send the Silkmen into the interval with the advantage.
The Silkmen were professional throughout the second half but were still in a game as Trafford forced a smart stop out of Stanway to keep the gap at two.
The Leasing.com Stadium then rose to welcome back James Berry from injury and the winger almost marked his return in spectacular fashion with his powerful shot just shy of the top corner.
Trafford did have the ball in the net via the head of Matthews but he was adjudged offside from a free kick just outside the area.
It was then just a matter of waiting as The Silkmen wrapped up victory but all eyes turned to Lancashire and what was happening at Clitheroe. The overwhelming outcome was jubilation as Macclesfield FC were crowned back to back champions and sealed the deal in the NPL West.
Macclesfield: Stanway, Pemberton, Lee, Fensome, Mendy, Murphy, Kengni (85), Duffy, Sweeney (71), Curran, Drummond (78)
Subs used: Maynard (71), Fage (85), Berry (78)
Subs Unused: Thorpe, Hardy
Attendance: 4034
by Ben Leah
