District FA Youth Cup
Group game – 28/09/2008 at Congleton Town FC
By Matt Eagles
Teams:-
Macc Youth (Sponsored by Safety Screens Ltd )
Manager:- Mike Cunningham
Harry Shatwell, Chris Fullalove, Danny Quinn, Jack Pilley, Chris Wilson
Tom Dean, Max Williamson(capt), Dom Hughes, Julian Weatherall
Ed Bailey, Josh Sneddon
Used Subs: Loz Reynolds, Chris Patterson
Unused Subs : Tom Horsfield, Chris Holland , Gaz Chapman
Runcorn Youth
Manager:- Jason Maddock
Jake Gardner, Kevin Hughes, Jack Wilkinson, Joe Palin, Josh Rizotti,
Ray McDonald(capt), Lewis Cole, Micheal Chesters, Jay Bignall, Ste Ball
Josh Smith.
Used Sub: Carl Bishop
Macc Youth 2 Runcorn Youth 2
78’ Julian Weatherall 56’ Josh Smith
82’ Chris Patterson 86’ Kevin Hughes
Referee:- Phil Stubbs ( Crewe )
Referee’s Assistants: Les Bennett, Dave Bloor
It was all square at Congleton’s Town Crescent Road ground as Macc Youth took on Runcorn Youth in the first Group game of this seasons District Youth Cup. Both teams began tentatively with Runcorn just edging possession but creating very little . It wasn’t until midway through the first half that either team had a shooting opportunity, Runcorn’s captain, Ray McDonald blazing high and wide after great work from Josh Smith. Ed Bailey and Julian Weatherall looked lively upfront for the hosts but were well marshalled by a solid Runcorn back four who allowed them only scraps. Macc’s best effort came right on half time when Dom Hughes let fly from the edge of the penalty only to see his shot hit the bar. Ten minutes earlier they had centre half Chris Wilson to thank as he cleared an effort off the line.
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| Runcorn on the attackin the 2-2 draw with Macc Youth |
The second half began with Macc in the ascendency but it was the visitors who took the lead on 56 minutes, Josh Smith beating goalkeeper Harry Shatwell in the air on the edge of the penalty box to head into an empty net after a long punt upfield by Runcorn’s keeper Jake Gardner. With the visitors working hard to hold onto their lead, it was still Macc who were the more creative, Ed Bailey , twice going close, he was unlucky to see one effort roll agonisingly past the post and a second effort looped onto the top of the cross bar. With Micheal Chesters taking charge in the centre of midfield for Runcorn, Macc manager Mike Cunningham decided to introduce a fresh pair of legs in the shape of Chris Patterson. It was an inspired substitution as Patterson ran straight at the heart of the visitors defence and his physical presence gave Macc an option they hadn’t had earlier in the game. Josh Sneddon and Julian Weatherall began to find space and it was Weatherall who deservedly equalised on 78 minutes , latching on to a loose ball in the penalty area and firing home. Four minutes later Macc took the lead Chris Patterson stabbing home from eight yards and the points were looking to be heading their way but the Runcorn lads had other ideas and their fitness and commitment was admirable . It was epitomised by striker Jay Bignall who must have covered every blade of grass on the pitch in the ninety minutes but it was right back Kevin Hughes who grabbed an equaliser with four minutes remaining to steal a point for the visitors, dispossessing goal keeper Harry Shatwell on the edge of his penalty area to roll the ball into an empty net.
Macc will consider themselves unlucky not to have come out of this game with all three points after their second half pressure but now they face two tricky games to qualify for the next stage of the competition . Away to Chester and home to Wirral.
