Game called off
Byline: Alex Baldwin
MACCLESFIELD and Ashton saw the weather take its toll on their proceedings, forcing the game to be abandoned at halftime.
Despite a phenomenal effort from the groundsmen to help the game even commence, the downpour caused the pitch to become waterlogged and unplayable after 45 minutes.
The visitors did get off to the perfect start as they went ahead inside four minutes as Gary Gee fed in Martin Pilkington to tuck the ball home under the dive of Ritchie Branagan.
With the pitch proving to be tough to play on, chances were at a premium but Ashton winger Adam Morning cut in from the right flank in the 14th minute to shoot from the edge of the area but Branagan did well to keep it out with his leg.
Macc grew into the game though and Chris Holroyd nearly levelled for the Silkmen as his deflected effort almost rounded off a great run.
Holroyd played a quick one-two with Chris Churchman to fashion the chance on the edge of the area but his goal bound effort ricocheted just wide of Paul Phillips’ right post.
The Robins’ Pilkington drew a free-kick from Diagne just after the halfhour mark and the resulting delivery was inch perfect for Will Haining to head home on his return to the Moss Rose.
However, the rain kept coming and Danny Rowe had the best of the chances as the tie drew to it’s conclusion as he had a 30-yard drive tipped over by the goalkeeper.
The players never returned from the tunnel for the second-half and the fixture was set to be replayed last night.
If Macc were able to pick up a victory in that rearranged fixture then they will go up against either Truro City or Cirencester Town in the second round of the competition.
MACCLESFIELD TOWN:
Branagan; Halls, G. Pilkington, Diagne; Holroyd, Churchman, Whitaker, Rowe, Fitzpatrick; Sampson, Dennis
Jalal (GK), Holness,
UNUSED SUBS:
Mbowe
ASHTON UNITED:
Phillips; Coo, Gorton, Connor, Mason; Haining, Lees, Gee; King, M. Pilkington, Morning
Samberg (GK), Baguley, Melia, Johnson, Halford
‘Delivery from a freekick was perfect for Haining to head home on return to Moss Rose’
UNUSED SUBS: