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Macclesfield Mayhem
Written by Mike Madden   
Sunday, 01 May 2016 16:37

Whaley Bridge Under 17s showed true grit in overcoming a spirited Athletico Macclesfield team at Bollington Cross. This was the first of three games that Whaley need to win to secure the league title, and it got off to a disastrous start as the home side took the lead. Minutes later it was two, and the visitors saw their chances of the title slipping away. Rhys Bowen was introduced to give stability in the middle, whilst Hamaad Chaudhry came on to offer composure down the right. Nothing seemed to be working, with any clear chances resulting in weak or wayward shots. Half time saw a complete reshuffle, with the energetic Zain Saeed dropping in to left back to free up Alfie Hodges further up the field. Nathan Wild joined Jack Howell up top, and it was all out attack, with Dan Burt providing security on the left and Ben Pickard slotting in at right back. The change in formation had an instant effect, with Whaley creating a number of chances, but the breakthrough came from an unlikely source. Burt ran on to the ball when he would perhaps have been expected to let Kieran Connell in. Connell was offside, so Burt did the right thing and found himself through on the keeper. Where previously shots had gone high and wide, Burt coolly slotted it into the roof of the net, and Whaley were back in it. Appeals for a penalty were turned down, then Nathan Wild broke into the box and was clearly brought down. This time the referee had no hesitation, unlike the Bridge players who were unsure about just who should take the spot kick, Eventually Saeed stepped up, but his effort was well saved. Fortunately he followed up, and made no mistake with the rebound. This was Whaley's big chance, and they didn't waste it. The ball bounced around in the box, and Wild got the final touch to put Whaley into the lead. It was a topsy turvy game, and it was no surprise when the home side floated in a free kick that was headed home. 3-3 heading into the final fifteen, and all to play for. Whaley won a series of free kicks, and eventually one was within Hodges' range. He clipped it into the bottom corner, just out of reach of the excellent Macclesfield keeper. Whaley naturally slowed the game down, leaving Howell up front on his own. Will McIlveen and Bruce Glover returned to the fray, giving fresh legs to an increasingly frantic contest. At the back, Jake Young was majestic, sniffing out danger whenever it threatened. Howell burst into the box and was tripped for a second penalty. This time Howell himself stepped up to take it, and with the last kick of the game made it 5-3. Athletico Macclesfield showed that there will be no easy games on the way to the finishing line, whilst Whaley can take great credit from the way they came back. Two home games to come, and four points will be enough to secure the title.

 
 
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