AFC close home campaign in style
CHESHIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE ONE AFC MACCLESFIELD ... 4 MIDDLEWICH TOWN ... 1
AFC MACCLESFIELD were once again victorious as they easily brushed aside Middlewich Town at the SSV in the final home game of the season.
With five away league games and a cup final to play in the next four weeks, it’s going to be a tough ask for Macclesfield to claim one of the two automatic promotion places, but this was a convincing win which did nothing to harm their ambitions of promotion.
Macclesfield dominated from the outset and the midfield trio of Jonny Cavanagh, Jack Disney and Jack Hunter started to dictate the game.
The first clear cut chance on goal came within the first couple of minutes.
It fell to Jonny Cavanagh just in front of goal and when it seemed easier to score, his effort found the top of the stands.
With only five minutes on the clock, Cavanagh made amends for his earlier miss and a great through ball from right back Luke Murray found Cavanagh and he coolly slipped it under the on-rushing Middlewich goalkeeper.
Middlewhich were struggling to move forward as Macclesfield piled on the pressure and on ten minutes it was 2-0. Jay Burgess beat the offside trap to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
Minutes later, Jay Burgess was on hand again to superbly finish a great team move, to put Macclesfield 3-0 up.
Burgess’ second of the game saw him move above the injured Greg Mathers, to become Macclesfield’s leading scorer for the season.
Just before the halftime break, Macclesfield poured more misery on Middlewich with a fourth goal. It was Jack Hunter this time getting involved in the action with another fine finish.
After the break, Macclesfield’s first half pressure wasn’t maintained but they remained in full control and kept pushing for a fifth goal.
On the hour mark, Middlewhich pulled one back.
A lapse in Macclesfield’s concentration allowed Middlewich’s George Hopkins to get in front of Murray to beat Nick Ward at the far post.
AFC Macclesfield Reserves won their last league game of the season on Saturday against Pilkington FC, winning 2-0 to finish runners-up in the Reserves League.
Following their CAFL Reserves Cup Final win last week, it’s been a great season for the reserves and congratulations must go to the reserve team management and players.
Meanwhile, exmanager of Everton and Manchester City Joe Royle has now been confirmed as manager of the Paul Dickov celebrity football team for the charity match against AFC Macclesfield on May 7 at Macclesfield Town’s Moss Rose Stadium.
Other confirmed celebrities include cricket legend Freddie Flintoff and former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater.
Tickets are now available and can be purchased by heading to the AFC Macclesfield website.