AFC just two games from silverware

SDFA SENIOR CUP QUARTER FINAL AFC MACCLESFIELD ..... 4 OLD ALTS .......................... 1

AFC Macclesfield continued their SDFA Senior Cup campaign by beating Old Altrinchamians to book a place in the semi-final.

Macc had beaten High Lane FC 12-0 in the previous round to set up the tie, and they continued their fine run of form with another victory.

Manager Ed Haslam was forced into a number of changes due to injury but with a squad full of quality, Macclesfield still managed to put out a strong team.

The hosts started brightly and set the tempo of the game and it was last week’s man of the match Jonny Cavanagh who impressed again as Macc started to dictate the play and chances started to come.

Top goal scorer Greg Mathers uncharacteristically missed some great chances as Macclesfield continued to build up the pressure with some good goal scoring opportunities, but they couldn’t turn their efforts into goals.

Altrinchamians gained more confidence as the match went on and they took full advantage of Macc’s wasted efforts by taking the lead just before half-time.

A mix up in the Macclesfield defence gave them a rare opportunity and they took it with both hands by scoring to make it 1-0.

The second half began just how the first half did with Macclesfield on top, and within five minutes Mathers took his personal goal tally for the season to 23 and brought them back into the game with a delightful finish.

Soon after, Macc turned the game around when Scott Wright went on a blistering left wing run from deep in his own half, before beating three players and picking out Jonny Cavanagh on the edge of the box, who thundered the ball into the top right hand corner of the Old Alts net.

Macclesfield were now in total control and on the hour mark a breakaway from the Macclesfield defence ended with Jack Banister rounding the keeper, but his shot was handballed by an Old Alts defender. The referee had no choice but to send the player off and award the penalty, with Mathers stepping up and scoring to make it 3-1.

After a resilient performance from Macclesfield, the visitors had their fate confirmed when Banister put the game out of reach by slotting the ball home after a great team move.

The result sees AFC reach the semi-final of the SDFA Senior Cup for the first time, just two matches away from silverware.