AFC crowned league champions

CHESHIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE TWO HALEBANK ....................... 2 AFC MACCLESFIELD ..... 3

AFTER securing promotion last week, AFC Macclesfield set out to wrap up the league championship on Saturday knowing just a point would clinch the title.

On a bright but cold and windy afternoon in Widnes, Macclesfield started the game slowly and looked nervous from the start with goalkeeper Dom Chell called into action with only a couple of minutes on the clock.

Halebank’s strong start paid off when their front man was found unmarked to curl the ball past Chell.

This kicked started Macclesfield into action and they started to find their rhythm, scoring the equaliser after just five minutes. Jonny Cavanagh found space just inside the opposition half and superbly picked out skipper Greg Mathers who composed himself and lobbed the ball over the on rushing keeper to make it 1-1.

Macclesfield again sat back and invited pressure.

On the half hour, Macclesfield conceded their second. With the Halebank striker looking to be in an offside position, the Macclesfield back line stopped but the whistle never came and Halebank’s striker had all the time in the world to pick his spot and find the back of the net.

With just a couple of minutes left before half time and Macclesfield pressing, Jack Banister gathered the ball on the edge of the Halebank penalty area and faced up to the opposition left back.

The fullback couldn’t cope with Banisters quick feet and brought him down and a penalty was awarded to Macclesfield. Mathers placed the ball on the spot and thundered the ball into the top left hand corner.

After half time, Macclesfield started to cope better with the windy conditions and decided that attack was the best form of defence, but however hard they tried they couldn’t find the third goal which would seal the title.

On 80 minutes the third goal arrived and Macclesfield’s pressure paid off.

A long ball from goalkeeper Chell, wasn’t dealt with by the Halebank centre half. Greg Mathers gambled, took the ball and found himself one on one with the keeper and the league’s leading goal scorer rolled the ball under the keeper to make it 3-2.

With a one-goal cushion and knowing a point was enough, Macclesfield professionally saw the game out and Bob Haslam’s men were crowned champions.

This season is by no means over, with two games left in the league and the club still in two cup competitions including the Stockport Senior Cup Final.

AFC Macclesfield are looking for sponsors for next season and would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to be part of and support the club. Sponsorship doesn’t need to be expensive, e.g. Match ball sponsorship is from £30 a game (individual games can be sponsored) and all sponsors will be added to our website. Contact bob. haslam@hotmail.co.uk

The club wishes to thank our main sponsors The Pack Horse at Broken Cross and Chrome Motors for all their support this season.