District FA Youth Cup
Group game – 16/11/2008 at Macclesfield Town FC
By Matt Eagles
Teams:-
Macc Youth (Sponsored by Safety Screens Ltd )
Manager:- Michael Cunningham. Assistant Manager;- Graham Astle
Tom Horsfield, Chris Fullalove, Danny Quinn, Jack Pilley, Chris Wilson
Tom Dean, Max Williamson(capt), Dom Hughes, Julian Weatherall
Matt Nee, Josh Sneddon
Subs: Loz Reynolds, Josh Eason, Rubin Kennerley, Chris Holland
Wirral Youth
Manager;- Mike Melling
Paul Davies, Paul Burn, James Annetts, Tom Rudnick, Charles McInnes,
Kyle Davies, Luke Hughes, Chris Wright , Mark Nokes (capt ), Gary Knight
Steve McGettrick
Subs: John Barratt, Tom Hawks, Ben Shawcross
Macc Youth 3 Wirrall Youth 2
31’ Dom Hughs 4’’ Steve McGettrick
72’ Matt Nee 14’ Mark Nokes
90’ + 2 Matt Nee
M.o.m. Matt Nee
A Matt Nee strike in second half stoppage time capped off a wonderful afternoon for Macc Youth who deservedly beat they opponents from Wirral and now progress into the semi-finals of the Cheshire FA Youth Cup having finished top of their group .
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| assistant manager Graham Astle gives instructions |
Wirral came into this game knowing that barring a sensational turn of events in the other Pool game between Runcorn and Chester , that they were already through to the semi finals and when they went 2-0 up inside fourteen minutes through Steve McGettrick and captain Mark Nokes they clearly felt they were home and dry. They dominated possession and could and should have scored more but then appeared to ease off and let Macc back in the game. It was twenty minutes before Macc tested Paul Davies in goal, pacy striker Julian Weatherall going close with a free kick but thereafter the tide turned. Max Wiliamson and Dom Hughes tightened their grip in midfield starving Wirral’s right winger and danger man Luke Hughes of possession and Chris Wilson and Jack Pilley took it in turns to man mark Mark Nokes who had enjoyed plenty of ball in the opening quarter.
On the half hour Dom Hughes made it 2-1 from close range and four minutes later the referee waved away a raucous penalty appeal after Matt Nee appeared to have been fouled in the box.
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| Macc keeper Tom Horsfield gathers safely |
The second half belonged almost exclusively to the home side as they pressed for the equaliser . Striker Mark Nokes was frequently forced to come back and defend very deep as Macc dominated possession but his delivery up field was excellent and always kept the visitors in with a shout. With eighteen minutes remaining Macc equalised with a wonder goal from Matt Nee, who having caused defender James Annetts to lose concentration following words on the touchline skipped into the penalty area and unleased an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. Even though a draw would have seen both teams progress Macc clearly wanted to win the game and it was left to man of the match Nee to take the plaudits as he dribbled past two defenders and the goalkeeper to tap the ball home from a yard out in second half stoppage time and snatch the victory.
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| Luke Hughes takes on Danny Quinn |
It was a fabulous win for Macc but you couldn’t help thinking there’s plenty more to come from Wirral and should they meet in the final , the game could be very different .
