Macclesfield Tigers u18 1
Crewe Alexandra Ladies u18 1

MACCLESFIELD have always proven to be strong and well organised opposition and they did not disappoint.

Hollie Durkin and Annie Timmis started to control the midfield with some determined tackling.

A strong back line of Alex Heron, Abbey Whittingham, Kate Evans and Rhiannon Graham were doing a great job of protecting stand-in keeper Sophie Brooks.

Despite playing into a strong wind the girls started to move the ball neatly, with Aimee Scragg threatening with attacking runs from midfield to support good work from Sharla Maddocks at centre forward.

Then on 15 minutes the Alex took the lead they deserved.

Scragg was quick to chase onto Abbey Whittingham’s long throw into the penalty area before firing home.

The wide Alex players started to find more space as the game progressed and Robyn James started to threaten down the left, linking with great balls from wing back Alex Heron.

Mary Turley, playing wide right was also starting to find space.

In the second half, however, the strikers could not capitalise on the midfield distribution.

James, Maddocks and Scragg were all denied chances to extend the lead.

Then with 17minutes remaining Macc managed to scramble a scruffy goal following a rare moment of hesitation in the Alex defence.

The Alex pushed forward and Mary Turley looked to have regained the lead but watched her shot drift agonisingly past the near post with the keeper beaten.