Holders of the Cheshire Senior Cup, Chester FC, have been eliminated from the competition by league rivals Macclesfield Town, after they were defeated 2-0 on Tuesday night at the Swansway C
Holders of the Cheshire Senior Cup, Chester FC, have been eliminated from the competition by league rivals Macclesfield Town, after they were defeated 2-0 on Tuesday night at the Swansway Chester Stadium.
Goals from Chris Holroyd and Scott Boden sent the visitors into the semi-finals, which left Blues boss Steve Burr with his first cup defeat.
A poor back pass from Ross Killock was intercepted by Holroyd to simply slot the ball over the helpless Fearon to put the Silkmen 1-0 ahead. The game was then sealed by a clever back header from Boden following a cross from Peter Winn.
The Silkmen came close to taking the lead early on into the game after former Chester player, Holroyd intercepted the ball and was through one-on-one with the keeper, but he blazed his effort over the bar.
Craig Lindfield then had the first real chance for Chester following a good move which found the winger in the box, who turned well and sent his left footed drive goal bound but was denied by Richard Branagan.
Liam Blake then came close moments later after the Youth product player was picked out in space in the 18-yard box and hit a ferocious shot but Branagan got down well to keep the Blues out.
Keeping them on their toes
After the break, Macclesfield were on the front foot again with Arthur Gnahoua smacking the bar after weaving his way past the City defence.
The Blues immediately broke down the other end and following a goalmouth scramble, the Silkmen cleared their lines to maintain the game in their favour.
Another Youth product, Tom Peers then came exceptionally close with a flick header, which was kept out by a superb one-handed save by Branagan.
Peers was in the heart of the action again after a series of corners failed to establish a goal. The striker smacked a 20-yard shot which was deflected by George Pilkington to allow a comfortable save for the Macclesfield keeper.
Speaking after the game, Chester’s first team coach, Jon McCarthy said:
“There’s a level and intensity from what we saw in the television match and we expect that every game.
Lots of positives, we have got everybody fit, we have had a look at everybody now so in terms of that it was great, and we were just disappointed because we don’t want to lose football matches.”
Kettle’s Man of the Match: Liam Blake
Since graduating from the Youth Team, Blake has found it hard to break into the first team and show people what he can do. He took his chance and impressed very well in the starting line-up, contributing well both in defence and in attack, displaying an impressive form.
Teams:
Chester FC: Fearon 4, Kay 4, Kiloock 4 (Horan 5), Linwood 4, L Turner 5 (Batten 4), Reed 4, N Turner 5 (Rooney 5), Blake 7, Menagh 6, Lindfield 6, Peers 6
Subs not used: Danby, Mahon
Macclesfield Town: Branagan 7, Halls 5 (Cowan 4), Andrew 4 (Winn 4), Turnbull 4, Williams 5, Pilkington 5, Rowe 6, Lewis 5, Holroyd 7 (Bailey 5), Boden 6, Gnahoua 6
Subs not used: O’Keefe
Referee: John Dowd
Assistants: Ian Hurdle and Joe Simpson
Attendance: 415
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