Rushden 3-1 Macclesfield

An abject Silkmen performance tied with good football from the home side saw the Silkmen beaten in the FA Cup.

From the moment Rushden top scorer Simeone Jackson hit a low cross from hte right in off the bar in the fifth minute, it was going to be an uphil struggle. Whilst it’s true that the goal cme from goal kick which should have been given as a corner, the Silkmen failed to cope with the pace down the flanks.

Macc had two glorious chances to level the game as first Martin Gritton siefooted wide from a narrow angle, before a phenominal cross from Levi Ried was headed over by Gareth Evans.

But the home side were also a threat and as it seemed Macc would be able to go in at half time one down to regroup, a short corner deep into injury time was lifted into the box and flicked in at the far post by Challinor. A killer goal which all but ended the tie.

Macc made changes at half time but still couldn’t get back into the game and it was only 12 minutes into the half that Jackson scored the third. Murray was at fault as he passed the ball straight to a Rushden player on the edge of the Macc box, he found Jackson, who looked a good yard offside, who powered past Tommy Lee at his near post.

Macc then decided to try and play some football and improved significantly with the inclusion of Francis Green.

But it was Martin Gritton who eventually scored what would be a consolation. Wiles crossed and Gritton hit a well placed header in.

This sparked something of a rally and Tolley had a shot wide and Gritton almost had a second when he broke clear only for the Rushden ‘keeper to beat him to the ball by a fraction of a second. Franny Green then got past his man but fired just wide of the upright.

Had any of these gone in it would have set up a real grandstand finish, but overall the Silkmen got what they deserved from the match.