District FA Youth Cup
At Macclesfield Town FC- Sunday 18th September
Macc Youth 3 Stockport Youth 3
Mike Cunningham’s dream of seeing his young charges make the Final of the District Youth Cup in his final year in charge came to an end at Moss Rose after a thrilling game. It was a fitting finale after a distinguished seventeen year career.
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| Eddie Bailey gives Macc the lead (pic. courtesy of Matt Eagles) |
Macc Youth needed a win to progress through the group stages after losing to Runcorn but at half time the situation looked promising as they led 2-0. In a brisk start to the game it was the visitors from Stockport who created the best chances striker George Hodgetts heading over when he should perhaps have done better. On twenty two minutes Macc took the lead . Ryan Stringer conceded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and Chris Patterson delivered a superb ball into the area which caused chaos in the Stockport defence with the ball eventually falling to Eddie Bailey whose header looped over goalkeeper Nathan Beckett and into the net . Macc doubled their lead five minutes before half time thanks to striker Loz Reynolds but the game was by no means safe as the visitors were still having plenty of possession and could consider themselves unfortunate to be behind.
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| Macc's captain Jai Maw takes on Stockport's Matt Brady ( pic. courtesy of Matt Eagles) |
The match changed on the hour mark when, with Stockport in total control , finally scored. The ball was chipped into the penalty area and fell straight to Ross Needham five yards out who, unmarked and with goalkeeper Tom Horsfield glued to his line gratefully headed home. Five minutes later the scores were level but this time no blame could be apportioned to the goal keeper as midfielder Mike Martin unleashed an unstoppable drive from fully twenty five yards right in to the top corner . Minutes later Stockport took the lead with their third goal in ten minutes . A free kick on the edge of the area was initially held by keeper but under pressure he failed to hold on and George Hodgetts was first to the ball. Stockport were delighted whilst Macc’s heads dropped…but not for long. Having seen their lead wiped out and then gone behind they showed remarkable character to come back themselves. With fifteen minutes remaining Chris Patterson let fly from the edge of the penalty area and his shot beat keeper Nathan Beckett and crashed in off the underside of the bar. With the scores all square it was set up for a thrilling finale as both sides went for the victory. Unfortunately for Macclesfield and Mike Cunningham it wasn’t to be , however it was a fitting end to a marvellous career for the Macc Youth supremo.
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| Chris Patterson is pursued by Stockport's Michael Martin ( pic . courtesy of Matt Eagles) |
