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AZ about that then?

14/ 5/2008

CHESHIRE Division Two side and pre-tournament favourites Club AZ collected the Macclesfield FA Saturday Cup at Moss Rose after a narrow victory against a battling Congleton Athletic side.

With Club AZ sweeping all before them on their way to the final, scoring 20 goals in the process, fans could have been excused for thinking this game was going to be one-way traffic, but Ian Slinger’s team from the Crewe and District League had other ideas.

Athletic competed in every department and kept their more illustrious opponents in check for large parts of the match.

Jack Higginbottom looked lively up front and Rob Negus, their semi-final hero, battled in midfield.

With 13 minutes gone he had the opportunity to give Athletic the lead with the first real chance of the match, and was unlucky to see his powerful header well saved at the near post by Matt Towns.

Despite having more possession, Club AZ had few efforts on target that troubled goalkeeper Rick Fleury, but on the half-hour mark they took the lead.

Omar Lamptey’s persistence on the right wing earned a corner and Harry Wheetman’s inviting delivery was met by Craig Scott and his header somehow squirmed through a crowd of players and into the net.

It was a soft goal to concede, but it was just what Club AZ needed and they began to dominate, forcing a string of corners.

Neil O’Brian saw his effort sail over the crossbar, and on 39 minutes Harry Wheetman let fly from 20 yards but his thunderous shot crashed off the underside of the crossbar. The rebound fell invitingly to Lamptey who made it 2-0.

Congleton began the second half with more purpose and brought the game to life on 52 minutes when captain Matt Tonks headed home to make it 2-1, but despite an effort from substitute Jimmy Hewitt, they never really looked like breaking down an experienced AZ back four, well marshalled by captain Andy Quigley.

Despite creating several opportunities, most notably from Scott and Wheetman, AZ failed to add to their lead but the cup, ultimately, had already been won.