Macclesfield and District FA
Macc FA Youth 3 Wirral FA Youth 2
By Matt Eagles
Nov 16, 2008, 18:07

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 . 

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.

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.

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 .