Macclesfield News - written by local people

A review of this weekend’s action from the

Macclesfield & District Sunday League-

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1^st Nov 2009

League Cup 2^nd Round

Torrential  overnight rain and blustery winds meant half  of the 2^nd Rd League Cup  ties fell victim to the weather but the four that did go ahead were packed full of drama.

Albion Rovers   4    Pack Horse   1

 

Mark Stoneley battles with Derek Druce Jnr (pic courtesy of Matt Eagles)

Albion Rovers turned the form book upside down to send the holders crashing out of the league cup in dramatic fashion. Pack Horse took an early lead through Lee McIntyre but they looked  strangely out of sorts and lacking direction without key midfielders Andy and Martin Quigley. The blustery conditions were ideal for Rovers who revelled in the challenge. Dave Barratt was outstanding in midfield as Albion fought back and it was his goal on 35 minutes that  tied the game then right on half time Jamie Collins looped a header over Anthony Connolly to give  Rovers a deserved lead.

At 2-1 it was still anyone’s game but the next goal was always going to be crucial, it went to Albion.

Dave Barratt curls home the winner for Albion Rovers (pic courtesy of Matt Eagles)

Dave Barratt hoisted a free kick high into the penalty area and as Anthony Connolly went up to claim the ball he uncharacteristically dropped the ball under pressure from Jamie Collins who gratefully slotted home. Pack Horse  were stunned and it showed. Despite plenty off possession and a series of corners they just couldn’t find the net as Albion packed their defence and then cleared the ball up field. The icing on the cake came with three minutes remaining when Dave Barratt cut in from the right and sent a superb curling  shot wide of Connolly’s despairing dive and into the bottom corner of the net to send a delighted Albion into the next round.

Prestbury Club    3     Poynton Legion   0

The Premier league leaders eased into the next round with something to spare against first division Poynton Legion. Having made a number of changes to give his fringe players a run out , Rod Price’s Prestbury team led 1-0 at half time thanks to a Nicky Scott strike from a corner but it was in the second half that they played their best football following the introduction of  Craig Scott. Nicky Scott grabbed his second and another substitute , Peter Annakin hit his first goal of the season.

Hollins     3   Nags Head     5

A fabulous match between two of the best sides in division one  that could have gone either way. Hollins player manager Derek Lownds was furious his side had wasted so many early chances as they fell behind to a Neil Smith strike for Nags in the first half but worse was to follow despite Blair Stubbs equaliser. Anthony Byrne and  Matt Booth made it 3-1 to the visitors in the second half  but again Hollins levelled the match through John Browning and Derek Lownds. Nags have clearly put consecutive 5-4 defeats behind them this season as  Anthony Byrne and Neil Smith both scored again to finally put the game beyond their opponents and send Nags through to the next round.

Blueberry   3     Poynton    4 a.e.t.

These two teams know each other very well now as this is the third time they’ve met already this season with Blueberry having won the first two. The previous encounter had been a ten goal thriller and this game was eagerly anticipated . With no goals in the first half the game burst into life in the second period with six goals . Jermaine Leveridge scored twice for Blueberry , Leon Eadsforth replying with two for the visitors before Bobby Cash made it  3-2 to Poynton. An own goal took the game into extra time and it was Leon Eadsforth who claimed the crucial goal with his third to send the visitors through giving them some consolation for two league defeats.

League

Premier Division

Oxfford       5     Boarhound    1

Oxfford go third after demolishing Boarhound 5-1 at Mary Dendy Fields. The home side raced into a four goal lead before Dec Fletcher pulled one back for Boarhound  but by then the match was already out of reach. Scorers for Oxfford were Liam Gray, Dan Frost , Chris Mason and Lee Johnson with two.

Oxfford's Dan Frost on target against Boarhound (pic courtesy of Matt Eagles)

First Division

Tytherington  Juniors    3    Chester Road Tavern  0

Joy at last for Tythy as they recorded their  first win of the season to earn three points which take them off the bottom of the table. Scorers for the home team were Andrew Mitchell , Gareth Henshall and Tom Connor and an extra bonus was a clean sheet courtesy of a fine display of goalkeeping from Gerard Coyne.