New boys shine
FA TROPHY SECOND ROUND AFC SUDBURY ................. 1 MACCLESFIELD .............. 3
MACCLESFIELD booked their place in the third round of the FA Trophy as they ran out comfortable winners away to Ryman Isthmian Premier Division side AFC Sudbury.
Goals from debutant Rhys Browne, Anthony Dudley and Jack Sampson ensured the Silkmen’s safe cup progression, with their reward a home tie against National League rivals Forest Green Rovers.
Manager John Askey made seven changes to the side that defeated Dover 2-1 in midweek, including the addition of recent loan signing Browne who joined during the week from Grimsby Town.
Craig Ross, Dan Cowan, Oliver Norburn, Omry Perel, Laurie Bell and Anthony Dudley were all also handed starts as Town made it four wins from four since the turn of the year.
Macclesfield edged the opening exchanges of the match and enjoyed plenty of early possession, midfielder Ollie Norburn firing just wide after three minutes with a strike from the edge of the penalty area.
The hosts stood firm and did well to bridge the gap between themselves and a side two divisions above them, limiting the visitors to few real chances.
But the game came to life in the 24th minute when debutant Rhys Browne, who had signed for Town just days earlier, scored his first goal for the club to put the away side 1-0 up.
With the deadlock broken Macclesfield were hungry for more and doubled their advantage 10 minutes later, Anthony Dudley striking a powerful effort that left Sudbury goalkeeper Marcus Garnham helpless.
Sudbury emerged after the break with much more purpose, moving the ball well in search of a way back into the tie but found themselves unable to create any real clear-cut opportunities.
The visitors almost put the game beyond doubt in style just after the hour, the ball falling to Laurie Bell on the edge of the area who connected well only to see his effort rattle the Sudbury crossbar.
Just minutes later the hosts had the opportunity to pull one back.
A superb cross was met by Liam Wales, who narrowly missed the target, but in the process the Sudbury attacker clashed in the air with defender Neill Byrne leading to both players requiring treatment for head injuries. Byrne was taken off as a precaution.
Bell was again denied a goal, this time from closerange, however the game was put beyond all doubt in the 82nd minute when substitute Jack Sampson added the National League side’s third of the afternoon.
The 23-year-old cut infield from the left, beating Garnham at his near post with a confident left footed finish to the delight of his team mates.
That was not to be the end of the action, AFC Sudbury fought until the end and were rewarded for their efforts with a goal a couple of minutes from time as Wales took his opportunity to give the home fans something to celebrate and deny the Silkmen a clean sheet.
It was too little too late as far as the hosts were concerned as the referee blew for full-time not long after the restart, confirming Town’s place in the third round of the competition on February 4.
John Askey’s side turn their attention back to league duties this Saturday, where they will look to maintain their good run of form against Guiseley at the Moss Rose stadium.