Press Release
3.2.08
Macclesfield (2)3 v Charnwood Mountsorrel (3)4
Charnwood Mountsorrel progressed to the last 16 of the National Mens Veterans Plate after this win over Cheshire club, Macclesfield.
Charnwood dominated early possession, but were unable to convert a number penalty corner opportunities. The midfield of Mark Taylor, Chris Waterfield, Paddy Oakman and Ross Merrick dictated play at this stage and eventually it was Merrick who opened the scoring from a slip-left penalty corner routine. The score was doubled shortly afterwards when Kevin Stanton-King burst into the circle and finished expertly with a reverse stick shot into the opposite bottom corner.
Macclesfield gradually got into the game, forcing ‘keeper Mick Barlow to turn a shot over the bar. The home side pulled a goal back after a good run by their centre forward, who beat several defenders before planting the ball past Barlow. The game was fairly open at this point and it was Charnwood who struck next, when Oakman converted well from close range after a sweet passing move split the home defence. Before the break, Macclesfield had a period of ascendancy, hitting a post and then scoring just before the whistle, when a miss-hit shot beat the unsighted Barlow at his right post.
The home side started the second half well, bringing the scores level after some sloppy defending in the Charnwood circle. However, Macclesfield rarely threatened after this, as the Charnwood defence, marshalled by Tony Kirk and Dave Allen, snuffed out the opposition and the midfield took control again. Playing a well-structured passing game in which Taylor and Waterfield dominated, it was only some wayward finishing and the excellence of the Macclesfield ‘keeper that kept the home side in the tie. The ‘keeper was fortunate, however, when Oakman had a shot cleared off the line when he was eventually beaten.
As extra-time approached, striker Mark Weaver found his radar and drove the ball powerfully passed the ‘keeper after finding space in the area at a penalty corner. With time running out and the home team desperate for the ball, it was the away team that retained possession and comfortably saw out the last few minutes without further trouble.
Squad:
Mick Barlow (GK), Ed Allen, Dave Allen, Paul Carter, Tony Kirk, Ross Merrick, Paddy Oakman,
Guy Rollins, Kevin Stanton-King, Mark Taylor, Chris Waterfield (c), Mark Weaver.