FA Cup First Round
Macclesfield 3
Boston United 0
MARTIN Carruthers struck twice as Macc Town progressed past the Pilgrims on a memorable afternoon at Moss Rose.
Quite simply, Boston were never in the game as John Askey's side turned in their best performance of the season. Carruthers' brace marked his return to form, and a late strike by Colin Little provided the icing on the cake for stand-in boss John Askey - who must surely have one hand on the permanent managerial position.
The football at times was breathtaking - and the industrious visitors had few answers as Colin Little dominated midfield.
On the few occasions Neil Thompson's side threatened, centre-half pairing Matt Haddrell and Karl Munroe snuffed out any danger before it materialised.
Macc striker Matt Tipton had spurned two early chances before Little sent a fine spinning volley crashing against the Boston United bar.
The Silkmen were dominating possession, with overlapping full-backs George Abbey and Danny Adams finding acres of space on either wing.
The first goal, however deserved, certainly had a touch of fortune to it. Carruthers was sent scampering through the middle by Tommy Widdrington and his shot was sent looping over Stuart Bastock via Chris Hogg's covering challenge.
Boston's first decent chance arrived soon after the goal when the unmarked Paul Ellender sent a header just wide of Steve Wilson's left-hand post.
Town responded, and Abbey fired an angled shot just over the bar following a mazy dribble down the right.
For al their possession, it was evident that Macclesfield would need the second goal to kill off the tie. It almost arrived just before half time when Tipton was played through by Widdrington only to see his low shot saved by the out-stretched leg of Bastock.
Boston started the second period with purpose, and their direct style almost forced an equaliser when Ellender's header was cleared off the line by Little. Wilson also reacted quickly to gather the rebound.
Town broke immediately. Barely 20 seconds later, Bastock was picking the ball out of his net when Little's pin-point cross was headed home by Carruthers.
From there on in, John Askey's side never looked likely to surrender their lead. Little should have made it three when he was put clear on goal by Adams only to fire wide and Carruthers came close to a hat-trick with a shot from the edge of the area.
Wilson had to be at full stretch to palm away a volley from Daryl Sutch before Little wrapped things up with the third.
Carruthers got away down the inside left channel, and although his shot was well saved by Bastock, Little followed up to slam the ball home from close range.
It was no more than the former Crewe Alexandra man deserved, and his celebrations showed exactly how the mood on the pitch has changed over the last few weeks.
It proved to be the final act of a great night for the Silkmen, and perhaps the start of something great for the embryonic managerial career of John Askey.
Att: 2,052
