By Steven Oldham Cover photo: Phil Jones/SportsEyePhoto Macclesfield vs Ashton United
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Macclesfield storm past Ashton
Dominant Macclesfield thrashed Ashton United 7-1 in the FA Trophy first round in front of 1,216 at the Moss Rose.
The all-NPL Premier clash only looked like going one way this afternoon, with the home side 4-0 up by the break. D’Mani Mellor’s brace got the ball rolling and one apiece for Tre Pemberton and Dontai Gabidon – his first for the club – sent Robbie Savage’s side in cruising after 45 minutes.
Darius Osei gave the visitors the slightest glimmer of hope with his effort on 52 minutes, but goals from James Edmondson, Tom Clare and Danny Elliott completed the rout.
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The Silkmen made it all the way to the semi finals last season before losing to eventual winners Gateshead.
Unsurprisingly, this is Ashton’s worst result of the season and a downturn in form over the last month sees them without a league win in four matches.
By contrast, leaders Macclesfield have won seven on the bounce in the league and will no doubt be looking forward to finding out their opposition in the next round.
Bamber Bridge go through
Bamber Bridge survived a second-half fightback from Workington to win 3-2 and beat last season’s performance, where they were knocked out in the FA Trophy first round by Stourbridge.
The Preston side were 2-0 up within 20 minutes thanks to Michael Potts and Simon Grand, but Steven Rigg pulled one back from the penalty spot midway through the second half.
Lucas Weaver calmed the visitors’ nerves by re-establishing the two-goal cushion with 15 minutes left, but it was a tense final few minutes for them following Rigg’s second successful spot kick.
History-makers Rylands progress
Warrington Rylands made it past the FA Trophy first round for the first time after scoring twice in each half against Ossett United in a 4-0 win.
Rylands avoided a potential banana skin against the NPL East side, with first half goals from Ben Hardcastle and George Waring. Blackpool-loanee Jake Daniels and Leslie Adekoya were on target late on for the home side.
Rylands’ previous best performance was making the first round in the 2022-23 season.
Defeat for FC United
A 2-0 defeat at Worksop Town means FC United of Manchester have not progressed past the FA Trophy first round for five seasons in a row – with three first round exits and two in the final qualifying round.
The Nottinghamshire side progressed with goals from Aleksandrs Starcenko and Jordan Burrows; picking up a relatively comfortable win despite playing over half the game with ten men. Captain Hamza Bencherif was dismissed on 41 minutes after bringing down Jordan Buckley as the last man.
The Rebels’ best run saw them reach the quarter finals in the 2014-15 season.
No upsets this time for Step 4 survivors
Remaining Step 4 representatives Clitheroe and Congleton Town have played their last FA Trophy football of the season after defeats to Gainsborough Trinity and Halesowen Town respectively.
Luke Gill’s penalty was the highlight for Clitheroe in a 4-1 home loss, while Congleton lost by the same scoreline, with Darren Chadwick on the scoresheet for The Bears.
It’s been a successful first run in the Trophy since 2001 for Congleton, while Clitheroe have equalled their best ever performance in the competition.
FA Trophy first round prize money
Winning clubs in the FA Trophy first round collect prize money of £3,000, while losing teams pick up £775 for reaching this stage. Winners will enter Monday’s draw for the second round, where teams from the National Leagues North and South enter the fray.
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