Just one step from Wembley for Macc
MACCLESFIELD .............. 3 COALVILLE TOWN .......... 0
MACCLESFIELD are now just a win away from Wembley after a convincing 3-0 victory over Southern Central Premier Division side Coalville Town secured them a spot in the semi-finals of the Isuzu FA Trophy.
The Silkmen found themselves in front after just six minutes thanks to an own-goal, with excellent finishes from John Rooney and Kane Drummond tripling their lead within the final half-anhour.
Manager Michael Clegg made two changes to the side that were triumphant against Marine previously, with Sam Perry dropping to the bench and Lewis Fensome being ruled out due to a shoulder injury, making way for return starts for both Sam Heathcote and Paul Dawson.
Ex-Macclesfield man Tom Clare returned to the squad as an unused substitute following his departure in January of 2023, with the club announcing last Thursday that he will be returning until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old was given the green light to appear on the ninth series of ‘Love Island’, before starring in and winning the first series of ‘Love Island: All Stars’ alongside Molly Smith, who was in attendance on Saturday.
It was a positive start for Macc, with the first chance of the game putting them 1-0 up.
After Brandon Lee’s long ball from the halfway line was intended for the awaiting Kane Drummond on the edge of the area, Coalville centre-half Eliot Putman intercepted the ball but only by heading the ball over goalkeeper Paul White and into the back of his own net.
Laurent Mendy then looked to add to this less than two minutes later after latching onto the end of Rooney’s corner ball with a powerful headed effort, but White caught confidently.
Joe Hilton was then called into action, making a fingertip save to keep out Tim Berridge’s longranged effort, with the Silkmen ‘keeper also throwing himself at Joe DoyleCharles’ rebound to complete a fine double save.
Macc then countered at speed, with a phase of excellent football allowing Tunde Owolabi to pull the ball back for Neil Kengni inside the area, but his left-footed effort was dragged just inches wide of the far post.
A huge opportunity for Kane Drummond followed, with the winger bursting past the Coalville defence to face White one-on-one, but the Raven’s ‘keeper made himself big enough to prevent Drummond from converting.
The Silks then had the ball in the back of the net after Owolabi won the header in a congested area allowing him to nod home a second, but celebrations were temporary after the referee spotted a foul in the process.
With the game ticking towards half-time, one final chance saw Dawson rise highest to direct a header goalwards, but White did well to direct the attempt over the bar and the two sides entered the interval with just a goal separating them.
After the visitors got the second half underway, a somewhat monotonous period of the game followed with neither side being able to pose any real threat.
That was until the 63rd minute, where the first real chance of note in the second period saw Rooney fire home a second for Macc.
After Tre Pemberton beat his man for pace, the full-back knocked the ball to his left where Drummond was there to pick up possession before laying it off to Rooney on the edge of the area, who wasted no time in curling a firsttimed effort into the top right corner, leaving White flat-footed.
Following the goal, Clegg was forced to turn to his bench after Dawson had suffered a head injury, introducing Sam Perry as his replacement.
The midfielder initially attempted to play through it, but it was later deemed a sensible decision to withdraw him, leaving the field to a standing ovation from the Silkmen supporters who credited him for a high-quality performance.
Less than two minutes later, Drummond added a third to secure the win for Macclesfield.
After being set free down the right, the inform Silkmen man cut inside onto his left foot and drilled a low effort into the bottom right corner, far out of White’s reach.
A double change for Macc followed, Kengni and Owolabi making way for Luke Duffy and Dan Sweeney.
The Silks played out the four minutes of additional time at the end of the 90, securing the victory as well as a spot in the last four of the Trophy, which will be played on Saturday 6th April.
Their next challenge, however, will be on Saturday 16th March where they will travel away to take on Worksop Town in an attempt to make their way back into the playoffs.
MACCLESFIELD: Hilton, Pemberton, Lee, Baker, Heathcote, Dawson, Kengni, Mendy, Owolabi, Rooney, Drummond
White, Dean, Putman, R. McGlinchey, Carter, Doyle-Charles, Berridge, T. McGlinchey, Pennant, York, Pepe-Ngoma