Schools out for the Autumn half term - and it's a trip down the streets of Macclesfield to a windy Moss Rose on a Wednesday afternoon to see the Macclesfield Town Reserves take on Wrexham Reserves in a Pontin's Holidays League Division One West game. The Silkmen lined up with a 3-5-2 as follows - Wilson in goal, a back three of Welch, Briscoe and Teague. A midfield five of Captain Carr, Moogan, Morgan, Jones and Smart with Fayadh and Rooney up front. It was Ian Brightwell and Steve Carroll in the dug out. The cold wind blew in hard from across the pitch. The main stand being the best place to get out from it.
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The first half hour gave little indication of the goal flood that was to come. Both sides played it compact and competitive in midfield. Oguste making the first break for the visitors as Teague slipped on the greasy pitch, but Briscoe got across and blocked the shot. Then it was Oguste making a good run for a worked ball forward from a Wrexham free-kick, but Teague stretched out a long leg and just got to the ball. Some sloppy midfield work by the Silkmen saw Shaw step forward and hit a shot on target, but Wilson was well equal to it.
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Macc were playing the ball around nicely, but not looking at all threatening with nothing of real note until a knocked in free-kick from wide on the left that Smart got to at the back post, but his header was wide. Then it was Shaw for the visitors advancing dangerously down the Wrexham right before putting a nasty cross in for a lurking Jones at the Macclesfield back post, but Welch was just able to get his head to the ball first. 25 minutes and the first Macclesfield chance on goal as Fayadh headed in goalwards after some good work from the Macc midfield, sweeping the ball from one side of the pitch to the other. Evans easily saved the header, but the build-up was a sign of things to come. Wrexham went down the other end of the ground and put in a booming long range shot that went just over the Macc cross-bar.
Then on 30 minutes, Macc took the lead. A throw-in on the left by Teague was picked up by TOMMY ROONEY and as he ran on towards the Wrexham goal, the defence backed off and allowed him a left foot shot that had the beating of Evans. Within 3 minutes it was two as Morgan hit a free-kick in towards the Wrexham back post after a foul wide on the left hand side. ANDY TEAGUE rose well and unchallenged headed the ball down and into the Wrexham goal.
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Macclesfield were now looking good, playing the ball around. On 38 minutes, a long range Smart effort nearly caught everyone out, but the Wrexham keeper made a late move and saved it. On 40 minutes, Wrexham put in a good corner for their number 9 Shaw and Wilson struggled to get to it, just managing to slap the ball away with his palms. Into first half extra time and at the other end, a nasty Macclesfield corner had to be cleared away by the Wrexham defence before the whistle blew.
50 minutes up and Wilson rushed forward for the ball as the dangerous Shaw prowled. Shaw beat Wilson to the ball but he pushed the ball wide. His cross in for Oguste was headed wide. At the other end there was a similar situation as a dashing Rooney drew Evans out of his area, but the Wrexham keeper cleared the ball with his head.
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On 58 minutes, Macc increased their lead. It was that man Rooney causing the problems, the Wrexham defence could only sweep the ball out to MICHAEL CARR who ran on and beat Evans with a well placed shot. Two minutes later and it was four. JASSIM FAYADH hitting a sweet first time left foot shot as the ball broke for him on the edge of the box and the Iraqi international gave Evans no chance. A goal, well appreciated by his team-mates and the small crowd.
If it was a boxing match, the towel would have gone in, as Macclesfield now bossed the game. 65 minutes and a Welch free-kick was deflected by Carr, but Evans made a great diving save. This was followed by some good work down the Macclesfield left by Fayadh and Smart who set up Rooney and his shot was again well saved by Evans.
69 minutes and it was nearly five as good running by Rooney beat the offside. His square ball in set up Fayadh and his close range shot was well blocked out by Evans. The ball ran out to Smart who fired in, the ball taking a late deflection into the Wrexham goal off Fayadh who was in an off-side position. Three minutes later, Fayadh was substituted, Owens coming on.
75 minutes and a Rooney free-kick was fired in low at the keeper's bottom left corner and Evans just got there to turn the ball around the post. From the corner, Macc did make it five as Rooney and Teague both went for a good ball put in by Moogan. ANDREW TEAGUE, again rising well and unchallenged, put a firm header into the Wrexham goal.
Welch was substituted to be replaced by Cooke and Macc went looking for a sixth, Owen lobbing over an advancing Evans, but the ball went just wide. Morgan was substituted, Brackenridge coming on for the last few minutes. The ref then booked Jones for what he presumably took to be a deliberate hand-ball although it looked a harsh decision and the crowd were not pleased.
On 87 minutes Smart broke powerfully down the left, beating his marker and from the goal line crossed in to give TOMMY ROONEY an easy tap in for number six. With extra time being played, Wrexham picked themselves up and put in a good chance that went just over. Another Macc corner gave had the Wrexham defence scrambling to clear the ball and then Wrexham had their best chance of the game, Wilson saving when called upon.
Man of the Match: Tommy Rooney, worked hard and took his goals well.
Ref: R L Lewis
Attendance: about 60?
All times approximate.
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