MACCLESFIELD FC 7, ASHTON UNITED 1
Robbie Savage was in seventh heaven as he enjoyed his biggest win in football management as Macclesfield FC defeated Ashton United in the first round of the Isuzu FA Trophy.
And the Silkmen produced a performance which endorsed Savage’s view that his side can score 100 goals in the current campaign.
The clash at the Leasing.com Stadium between Pitching In Northern Premier League leaders Macclesfield FC and the Robins, from the same division, turned out to be a one-sided encounter.
A beautiful autumn day greeted the players but things were about to get a lot less attractive for the visitors as the super confident Silkmen ran riot through the Robins’ defence.
Ashton were fielding an unchanged line up from the draw at Lancaster City and, ironically, made the brighter start as a poor clearance by Max Dearnley gave Louis White the chance to set up Jason Gilchrist for a wild attempt which was followed by Luke Burke progressing into the area before setting up Nathan Lowe for a blocked attempt before Burke himself subsequently went to ground.
The avalanche started at the other end as Dontai Gabidon made rapid progress down the left wing and saw his cross lead to Luke Duffy’s effort being blocked by keeper Jordan Eastham with the rebound falling to ex-Manchester United player D’Mani Mellor to convert.
Mellor was soon given a clear run on goal from Alex Curran’s pass with Sam Baird making a vital recovery and the centre forward should have done better than completely miscue his header from Duffy’s cross.
After 25 minutes, a throw in lead to Curran’s cross being slightly deflected to fall perfectly for Mellor to convert at the far post and 12 minutes before the break Justin Johnson’s effort was blocked by Jak McCourt with the rebound falling kindly for Tre Pemberton to steer a shot past Eastham.
Two minutes later, John Rooney sent a lofted pass into the path of Gabidon who finished superbly over Eastham.
Just before the break, Mellor failed to complete his hat trick as he helped Pemberton’s cross over the bar after another lightning break.
The visitors made two changes at the interval and started brighter as Josh Doherty’s near post flick won a corner which saw Baird’s effort cleared at the last with Doherty eventually hooking the ball back into the danger area for Darius Osei to help it home.
Three minutes before the hour, the Silkmen extended their advantage as Gabidon won a corner from Trevon Bryan which saw debutante James Edmondson head home his first goal.
Curran’s low shot was then gathered by Eastham but with eight minutes left the latest breakaway saw Curran tee up sub Tom Clare who rolled his effort home and the scoring was completed a minute from time by Danny Elliott who cut in from the edge of the area and curled his shot into the far corner.
Ashton United: Eastham, Doherty, McCourt (Bryan 46), Newton (Couto 46), Burke, Baird, Lowe,
White (Rimmer 78), Gilchrist (Massey 78), Osei, Hardy (Denton 84).
Attendance: 1,216 (40 visitors)
Report: David Robinson.