GALLANT Warrington Town took N Power League 2 side Macclesfield Town down to the Wire last night before being edged out of the Cheshire Cup 5-3 on penalties after the game some how remained goaless after extra-time in front of a vocal travelling Santa barmy army!
Town saw two late efforts cleared off the line as they finished the game the stronger in extra time against the full-time professionals and can counth themselves unlucky not to be in the semi-final draw.
Macclesfield enjoyed the better chances of the first half with Waide Fairhurst twice seeing long drives narrowly missing the target, Carl Tremarco hitting a shot just past the post and Scott Boden running on to a through-ball but seeing his chance saved.
Town’s best opening came through Allan Collins, who was a danger throughout the game before being stretchered off in the second half and had a good run at goal blocked just before he could pull the trigger.
The second half was a more even affair but started with the Silkmen on top. Waide Fairhurst’s good run saw him crossing to Scott Boden, who scuffed his shot.
At the other end Warrington curled a free kick just the wrong side of the far post before the Silkmen somehow came away from a scramble in the area goalless as first Boden’s shot was blocked before the ball broke to Jordan Trinci-Lyne who was fouled right on the line of the penalty area.
Warrington then started to get on top and Steve Collis managed to react fastest to a loose ball in the area that looked like a tap in for Alan Collins before Warrington sub Chris Thompson flashed a header past the post from a corner.
The first period of extra time saw chances at a premium as the visitors hit a free kick just wide of the upright whilst the Silkmen went close when Fairhurst’s good run sent Trinci-Lyne clear on the right, but his shot was charged down by the ‘keeper. Dan Gray also had a chance when he shot from the edge of the area, but too close to the ‘keeper.
Straight from kick off the Silkmen were thanking their luck as a clearance was blocked, sending Sam Finlay clean through. A good block by Collis and a goal line clearance from Lane managed to keep the score at 0-0.
Warrington should have scored with time running out as a great cross from the right was met with a powerful header, but was stopped by a brilliant save by keeper Collis and again hacked off the goal line by the Silkmen defence.
The game went to penalties as Macclesfield converted all five efforts, while Louis Corrigan fired over the bar for Town after successful efforts from Hamid and Thompson.
Warrington were applauded off the pitch by their vocal Santa Barmy Army.
Pictures show Sam Finley taking on the Macclesfield defence, Tom Hardwick winning a header and Matty Cross battling for possession.
Town: Oldfield, Duffy, Corrigan, Humphreys, Hardwick (C), Hamid, Collins, Finley, Madin, Hickey, Cross.
Subs: Thompson, Shipton, Jackson.
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