Learning curve - Macc exit Cheshire Senior Cup

But which Silkmen youngsters caught the eye?

Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. A youthful Macclesfield side exited the Cheshire Senior Cup after a 3-1 loss at home to Stalybridge Celtic on Bonfire Night. Despite the disappointment of exiting a competition that we reached the quarter-finals in last season, there was cause for some celebration even in defeat.

Fielding a side with an average age of 17/18, head coach Robbie Savage made 16 changes to the squad who demolished Lancaster in the league at the weekend to stretch Macc’s lead at the top of the Northern Premier League to a remarkable 13 points. This was about giving youth a chance as the Silkmen handed debuts to several players who have come through the club’s BTEC Programme, in addition to those who are part of its flourishing International Academy studying Sports Business Management in conjunction with the University of Central Lancashire.

Did you know?

Five members of Macc’s squad against Stalybridge are US nationals who have come to the UK to further their education on and off the pitch after starring for their high school soccer teams: Starters Casimir Ejianreh (full-back), James Onderdonk (centre half) and Jaeden Pugh (winger / forward), were joined by substitutes Ian Schlutz and Anthony Topolski who entered the fray in the second half.

Onderdonk (scroll down to read more), known for his leadership qualities and imposing physicality, had been instrumental in the Poly Varsity boys soccer team winning the Prep League championship for the fourth time in his career. While Pugh is an outstanding college athlete who has captained soccer, basketball and American football teams, as well as holding a 3^rd degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do by the age of 11.

Men against boys

Whilst Savage was full of praise for his young hopefuls afterwards, the Silkmen manager’s post-match assessments are always refreshingly frank. As Sav effectively alluded to, this was a lesson in more ways than one as an experienced Stalybridge side dominated proceedings and won with something to spare.

The 3-1 scoreline somewhat flattered Macc who could easily have been on the end of a 4-1 or 5-1 reversal. But for trying to keep the game tight in a 4-2-3-1 / 4-5-1 formation, Stalybridge may have ran out more convincing winners statistically.

As the old cliché goes, it’s all about levels. defender Kerr Dollochin, and central midfielders Henry McNulty and Freddie Savage – three standout performers at Academy level and in Macc’s FA Youth Cup exploits earlier in the season – were unable to stamp their authority against seasoned non-league players from the Northern Premier League Division One West.

Dollochin in particular, a player I’m a big admirer of (see my previous Academy match reports), had a difficult evening at centre half but I’m sure the experience will ultimately prove invaluable for his progression. Kerr, who I believe is only 17, seems better suited to left-back. As a central defender he seemed uncertain as to whether to hold his line or push up and play offside, or whether to clear the ball with his head or his feet. Normally so confident and composed in possession, he frequently elected to pump the ball long to lone striker Luke Draysey who fed off scraps, as did many other Macc players who treated the ball like a hot potato.

It was Draysey who had a rare effort on goal for Macc, attempting to chip the keeper from 25 yards after the lively Jamie Walker playing on the right wing had pressured a Stalybridge defender into a mistake. Draysey’s shot was comfortably gathered by the opposition keeper. Draysey, incidentally, is currently on loan at Eccleshall FC who play in the First Division South of the North West Counties League where he has scored once in five appearances so far. Luke was previously on Stafford Rangers’ roster as a youth player.

Stalybridge took the lead on 16 minutes. A diagonal ball played into the box caused panic between Dollochin and Baset Yusuff, who had come across from left-back to try and lend a hand to his teammate which ultimately may have been more of a hindrance than a help. The ball ricocheted into the path of Navid Nasseri whose angled shot beat the impressive Justin Griffiths in Macc’s goal.

Just four minutes later Macc were level and what a super equalizer it was. Baset Yusuff escaped a couple of challenges and fed Henry McNulty who played a sublime crossfield ball into the path of Jamie Walker who had made a perfectly timed run from the right channel towards the penalty area. Walker was forced wide to the left touchline but found attacking midfielder Cynan Douglas who did well to keep the ball in play, before cutting it back to Walker who instinctively stabbed the ball into the net.

Unfortunately, Macc were unable to kick-on from here and seemed to lack self-belief in their own ability at times. Stalybridge went back in front on 40 minutes. A looping header from a corner cannoned off the crossbar and the rebound was hooked in by Joe Duckworth for the Celts. It could have been worse prior to half-time but for keeper Griffiths doing well to palm away a deflected strike that was struck with some venom.

The second half was more sedate with the visitors far too comfortable in not being closed down. They duly made it 3-1 with twenty minutes remaining after Max Leonard was given time and space in the box to pick his spot following a left-wing cross.

It wasn’t until injury time that Macc managed a response. A thunderous 35 yard drive from Freddie Savage was tipped over the bar by the visiting keeper who was at full stretch. And the resulting corner fell to substitute Spencer Yates who could only guide his header off target.

Full-time: Macclesfield FC 1 Stalybridge Celtic 3

Who caught the eye?

Undoubtedly, there were some bright spots for Macc. Centre back James Onderdonk (pictured above) did most to enhance his reputation. ‘Donk’ is what I’d describe as a ‘proper defender’ – brave and no-nonsense. He produced two pieces of outstanding defending, a perfectly timed sliding tackle to prevent a goalscoring opportunity in the first half, and a deft header under intense pressure to concede a corner as the ball was dangerously swung into Macc’s six-yard box. I was disappointed when he was taken off after 63 minutes and will be watching his progress from here on in.

Goalscorer Jamie Walker (pictured above) can also be satisfied with his night’s work. In the first half especially, Walker showed more desire and bravery than any other Silkmen player to take the fight to Stalybridge. Whether it was snapping at the heels of defenders, or busting a gut to get forward and make runs into the box, Walker was a livewire whose attitude to the game is something you can’t necessarily teach. Jamie got his reward by converting a well-taken equalizer, showing once again that he as an eye for goal. He’s been in and around the first-team squad for a couple of seasons now – it will be interesting to see if he is given a loan spell at a Step 3 or Step 4 club next season to aid his development.

Finally, substitute Anthony Topolski who came on after 67 minutes delivered a promising cameo from left-back. Anthony wasn’t in the least bit overawed and was bright, energetic and positive in trying to get forward. He’s another player who appears to have the mental strength to succeed.

Now that the dust and smoke from Bonfire Night has settled, the youngsters will return to normality, whilst Robbie Savage prepares to welcome an in-form Morpeth to the Leasing.com stadium on Saturday as Macc look to continue their outstanding league form and magnificent march towards promotion.