First half goals from Joe Ackroyd and Jake Cassidy at Macclesfield put The Lions in the hat for Monday’s Isuzu FA Trophy second round draw writes Adam Bridson.
Ackroyd set his side on the way to a memorable win with a powerful header after just six minutes before Cassidy added a second to see off high fliers Macclesfield.
The first chance of the game fell to Nicky Walker after just four minutes but two minutes later Walker’s cross found the head of Ackroyd to break the deadlock early on.
The Silkmen did show a reaction but Alex Curran’s header was straight at Kyle Trenerry who made an easy save.
Walker’s corners were causing problems but Macclesfield countered from one and nearly equalised but just as the pacey Neil Kengni was about to shoot goalwards Kwame Boateng made a timely block.
Cassidy was the next to nearly get his name on the scoresheet, he showed great balance and skill in the area but his shot just trickled past the post.
Macclesfield were coming into the game more and Joe Bunney headed straight at Trenerry before Kengni blew a great chance firing over.
Cassidy took full advantage of his next chance when he swiveled in the box and finished well to beat Marcelo Pitaluga in the home goal and double his side’s advantage.
The half was dominated by the visitors from here but Ackroyd and Walker couldn’t add to the lead.
The second half started with Danny Ellis’ side much to the surprise of the 805 strong crowd which included 91 from West Yorkshire.
Mohammad Qasim went close before Ross Daly fired just over as the side in yellow and black looked to kill the tie off.
It was Ackroyd though, looking for his fourth goal in just two Isuzu FA Trophy games, who came closes when his shot was just tipped over by Pitaluga.
Walker nearly beat Pitaluga with a shot from a tight angle after it too a hefty deflection but the home stopper did well to deny the winger.
Luke Dean, who was a late addition to the starting 11 after Ellis picked up an injury in the warm-up, was presented with a ball that just had to be volleyed after a Cassidy pass but he couldn’t find the target.
Adam Haw made an immediate impact from the bench when he linked up well with Cassidy but the ball just ran through to Pitaluga.
The game petered out chances wise from here with the only sour note for the visitors being Daly’s withdrawal due to injury.
The last chance fell to Jacob Hanson for the home side in injury time but he shot wide and The Lions secured comfortable Isuzu FA Trophy progression.
Danny Ellis, Danny Forrest and all their players made sure to come over and celebrate the win with the 91 away fans who were in fine voice all afternoon.
George Smith made his return from injury and academy players Brad Wood and Oliwier Grzelak were named on a first team bench for this first time after signing first team forms on Friday.
Attendance: 805 (including 91 away fans)
Team: 1. Kyle Trenerry, 2. Kwame Boateng, 3. George Smith (C) (74’ Vaughan), 4. Ross Daly (80’ Chimalilo), 5. Luke Dean (70’ Haw), 6. Jameel Ible, 7. Mohammad Qasim, 8. Lebrun Mbeka, 9. Jake Cassidy, 10. Joe Ackroyd and 11. Nicky Walker.
Subs: 12. Adam Haw, 13. Hagie Damba (GK), 14. Jorge Sikora, 15. Donald Chimalilo, 16. Ethen Vaughan, 17. Brad Wood and 18. Oliwier Grzelak.
