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Match Report: Macclesfield 2-1 Altrincham

  • Doughty praises ‘kids’ as Altrincham are knocked out in F.A Trophy derby clash

Altrincham were knocked out of the F.A Trophy on Wednesday night after a 2-1 defeat to Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose. Young forward Harry Cain got his name on the scoresheet with a delightful chip while the hosts replied with goals from Danny Whitaker and a dazzling run and finish from Danny Rowe to grab the win.

The Robins gave chances to two members of their youth team in Darius Palmer and Joshua Graham, as they had six players of their first team cup-tied.

Macclesfield held all the possession but were unable to break through the well-organised defence of Altrincham. The Silkmen’s first real chance was inside 14 minutes when Danny Rowe hit a ball destined for the top corner, but it was deflected over by the boot of Tom Hannigan.

A defensive mix-up soon afterwards left Harry Cain with the ball at his feet and the keeper, Ryan Boot, yards from his line. Cain’s audacious left-foot chip found its way in the back of the net to make a 1-0 lead for the visitors.

Though the game was jovially billed ‘El Cheshirco’, the bitter cold prompted an abundance of misplaced passes such as Greg Wilkinson’s howler which played in Kingsley James. His shot, however, was tame and Andrew Dawber was able to safely catch it.

Just before halftime Lawrence Taylor was replaced by Whitaker who, just four minutes into the second half, volleyed home a rebounded ball after Rowe’s initial cross to make it 1-1.

Manager Matt Doughty took Robins goal-scorer Cain off and youth team member Darius Palmer replaced him to bring speed to the left-wing and with 12 minutes from time showed a brilliant piece of trickery before snapping his shot over the bar.

However Macclesfield kept chipping away at Altrincham’s defence and on 83 minutes they got their goal; Rowe rounded William Foster and coolly tucked the shot away to make it 2-1.

Doughty said afterwards: “I was happy with the team’s first half performance, but in the second half we showed them far too much respect. However, the kids from the youth team, Darius Palmer and Joshua Graham, did very well even though the match was against a tough, competitive opposition from the league above.”