Under 21s in seventh heaven against Poynton
JIM Hall’s depleted Under 21s side were in fine form on Sunday afternoon, as they wrote an epic winter’s tale against local rivals Poynton.
With five players missing due to illness and injury, the youngsters took to the field in defiant mood - looking to secure their third win of the season against their derby day opponents.
The deadlock was broken after just four minutes, as Dolling surged down the right wing before sending a tantalising cross into the six yard area which caused havoc amongst the Poynton defence.
As the ball broke loose, Josh Wright capitalised and fired home from six yards to give the home side the lead.
With Macc dominating proceedings, it was little surprise when their lead was doubled on 20 minutes as Wright bagged his second.
Samuel picked up the ball in the middle of the park and his through ball was latched onto by the Macc number ten, as he confidently rounded the ‘keeper to slot home from close range.
As the players went to warm themselves up during the half time interval the snow turned into rain, yet even the most proficient weather forecaster could not have predicted the storm which was to follow.
Macc came back out in devastating form and looked to end the match as a contest in the quickest possible manner.
After Kemp had forced Ramadani into a fine save with barely a minute on the clock, Liam Chambers grabbed the third goal as his monumental run through the Poynton ranks ended with the striker calmly finishing into the far corner.
The hosts began to play some intricate and at times extravagant football which was a joy to watch.
Kemp and Chambers in particular looked a class apart and on performances like this, it will surely not be long before they experience higher level football.
Poynton reduced the arrears on 56 minutes however, as Byron finished a rapid counter attack by firing past Mike Smith from ten yards out.
Three minutes later the visitors reduced the deficit further, as Byron seized on a loose ball on the edge of the area before smashing an unstoppable drive into the far corner.
Poynton were understandably buoyant at this point, as they tried to restore parity in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Yet Macc did not let their heads drop, as they looked to catch the visitors on the break to seal the victory.
Jack Samuel hit a twenty five yard screamer which flew over Ramadani’s head to make it four and this was followed ten minutes later, when Chambers burst free before firing home from ten yards.
A minute from time Mike Smith launched the ball upfield and this was seized upon by Chambers, who took the ball around Ramadani before unselfishly laying the ball off to Scully who tapped in number six.
There was still time for Kemp to make it seven at the death, as he broke through the Poynton defence to score the goal his performance deserved.