Macclesfield FC promoted as champions in comfy win over Ashton Athletic
By Alex Greensmith
13th Mar 2022 | Local News
Macclesfield FC have secured promotion and the league title after a comfortable victory against Ashton Athletic.
The Silkmen guaranteed promotion in style, as they romped to a 4-0 victory and set a record attendance.
A nervy start of poor finishing was calmed with experience, as 39-year-old Neil Danns slotted home in the first-half's stoppage time.
Sam Grimshaw assisted the opening goal, and kept firing in crosses throughout the game, which should secure him a new contract for the 2022/23 season.
Three minutes into the second half, 21-year-old James Berry struck a beauty from 30 yards, which beat Ashton Athletic goalie James Aspinall.
2-0 up, The Silkmen went all out and played three strikers up front, a move which paid off as the third was soon to follow.
In the 65th minute, Tom Clare bagged his 20th goal of the season in an unusual fashion.
The English forward chased a stray long ball, which tempted Ashton's keeper to come out of the six yard box.
Aspinall attempted and failed a clearance, leaving Clare ahead of the fallen keeper cooly pass the ball into an empty net.
Neil Danns tried for his second goal, and was running up and down the flanks all game, until like Clare, he was substituted.
And while nerves were relaxed, the Silkmen were not untested. Efforts in the 76th and 90th minute tested Silks keeper Sam Ashton, pushing both onto the bar.
Just before the three minutes of stoppage time were announced, Macclesfield FC announcer Andy Worth proudly declared the attendance was 4,604.
Just 116 spectators shy of the 4720 allocated for the match by Cheshire East Council.
This figure was a record for the North West Counties Football League Premier Division - and still could be bested as The Silkmen have two remaining home games to play.
As fans sung 'Championes, Championes' across the Leasing.Com Stadium, the fourth goal seemed inevitable.
Mark Duffy passed to James Berry from the half-way line. Berry sprinted down the left flank and entered Ashton Athletic's penalty area.
He then cheekily lobbed the keeper into the top left corner, and netted The Silkmen's fourth goal in the emphatic victory.
Berry's brace came just one day after he signed a permanent deal with Macclesfield FC, signing a two year deal in a record transfer Macc FC fee from Altrincham.
The Silkmen's victory over the side from Ashton-in-Makerfield near Wigan, means they are guaranteed promotion and silverware as North West Counties Football League champions.
The Silkmen are ten points clear on 85. Nearest rivals Skelmersdale United - who lost 2-1 today to Charnock Richard - sit in second place on 75 points.
The Silkmen inaugural season success means they will play in the Northern Premier League West Division next season.
Potential sides they may face include Leek Town and Newcastle Town in Staffordshire, and Glossop North End in the High Peak.
There will also be more Cheshire derbies to look forward to, as Widnes and 1874 Northwich are also opponents for Macc in the 2022/23 Northern Premier League West Division season.
After the game, some Silkmen fans went onto the pitch to celebrate with Macclesfield FC players and staff.
As some fans returned to the stands, the squad along with owner Rob Smethurst and Director of Football Robbie Savage led a victory lap for the champions.
Macclesfield FC manager Danny Whitaker went for handshakes and hugs with fans at The Star Lane End, meanwhile BBC TV cameras filmed the success for a likely-sequel to their Making Macclesfield FC documentary.
Speaking after the match to Macclesfield FC Head of Communications Rob Trafford, Whitaker said: "It has been an incredible journey".
"To get to this stage - for everyone involved - I am so happy."
The ex-Macclesfield Town midfielder has managed Macclesfield FC to promotion at the first time of asking.
"I think back to when then club didn't have anything, but we look back now as champions," he added.
"We want to win the next few games and end the season on a high."
Macclesfield FC's next match is on March 16.
They will face county rivals Nortwich Victoria away in the Macron Cup.
Their remaining league matches are against Avro, Congleton Town, and AFC Liverpool.
Got an event to promote in Macclesfield? Advertise it for FREE on the Macclesfield Nub News What's On section.
See Also: 10,000 capacity stadium to host Congleton Town vs Macclesfield FC
Macclesfield: Have you signed up for our FREE Friday weekly newsletter? It contains each week's top 10 Macclesfield news stories, and one EXCLUSIVE article?
1220 of you have signed up already. Simply enter your email address in the shaded box below or on this link.
Free from pop-up ads, or unwanted surveys, Macclesfield Nub News is a quality online newspaper which produces 20-30 stories a week for our town.
New macclesfield Jobs Section Launched!!
Vacancies updated hourly!!
Click here: macclesfield jobs
Share: