Macmillan reached the last 32 of the national cup with a hard-fought victory over Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School from Halifax.



Macmillan 3 Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School 2
U15 Round 5 National Cup

Macmillan reached the last 32 of the national cup with a hard-fought victory over Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School from Halifax.

The game was played on a very boggy Macmillan pitch and the visitors started the better, without creating a great deal. Macmillan scored with their first real chance when Gav Stubley went on a mazy run before pulling the ball back to his brother Joe Stubley who coolly stroked the ball home.

The home side then had a number of chances to double their lead with Liam Lonsdale and Tom Crocket both coming close. They did eventually increase their lead when the hardworking Adam Lane hit a 25 yard thunderbolt into the roof of the net.

However, the two goal lead did not last and Hipperholme pulled one back just before half-time to make it 2-1 at the interval.

The second half was a much more even affair with Hipperholme much more in the game. The next goal was going to be the decisive one, and both teams had a couple of chances to score it. As it was it was the home-side who did score the all important goal when Alfie Kay beat his man before crossing the ball for Liam Lonsdale to poke home.

Macmillan then had a number of opportunities to make the game safe but failed to do so and when the visitors reduced the deficit once again it made for a nervous finish to the game, but the lads held on to go into the hat for the next round.

A strong team performance with both Gav Stubley and Ben Lofts sharing the man of the match accolade.

Macmillan Team: Ollie Hodgson, Elliott Lam, Tom Crocket, Sam McManus, Gav Stubley, Jake Wheatley, Ben Lofts (captain), Joe Stubley, Carl Robinson, Liam Lonsdale, Liam Hogg, Brad Russell, Ryan Brough, Liam Hogg, Alfie Kay and Brad Hall