MIDWEEK MATCH PREVIEW – MACCLESFIELD TOWN (AWAY) FA TROPHY QUARTER FINAL REPLAY

Dulwich Hamlet head back north on Tuesday evening as they face the Macc Lads with Tranmere Rovers waiting for the winners

As the first attempt to play this Buildbase FA Trophy quarter final replay last week was thwarted by snow, the Moss Rose coated by a blanket of the white stuff, Dulwich Hamlet must make the journey north to Macclesfield once more this Tuesday evening. Barring any more inclement weather this game must be decided on the night with extra time and kicks from the penalty mark to be used should 90 minutes fail to separate the sides as it did at Champion Hill ten days previous. To the victors will go the spoils and they could not surely not be greater with a two-legged semi-final with National League title challengers Tranmere Rovers the prize on offer.

Since that Champion Hill renaissance that saw Dulwich Hamlet recover from a two-goal deficit inside 20 minutes inflicted by to Luke Summerfield’s brace for the Silkmen, before Quade Taylor’s maiden goal & an Ashley Carew masterpiece three minutes from time, both sides have seen action just the once with contrasting fortunes. On Saturday Macclesfield Town travelled down to Forest Green Rovers as they continued the hunt for the precious points that would draw them ever close to the playoff places. It was not to prove a productive outing as Forest Green avenged their FA Trophy exit at the hands of the Silkmen with a comprehensive 3-0 victory that reinforced their own promotion credentials whilst dealing a severe blow to those of the travellers. Christian Doidge’s goal was all that divided the protagonists at the interval but Liam Noble tapped in a second for the hosts early in the second half, the result was only heading one way. The Gloucestershire club put matters beyond doubt when defender Mark Ellis came up from the back to head in a third 20 minutes from time. The defeat left Macclesfield with a seven-point gap to close on Dover Athletic, currently in possession of that last playoff place, though should they win the games in hand that will narrow to just a single point.

Meanwhile Dulwich Hamlet were on quest for crucial points of their own in the chase for the playoff prize, heading down to the South Coast and Worthing. Thanks to Dipo Akinyemi’s fine strike less than a minute into the second half against the struggling Rebels, the playoff dream was kept still burning as Gavin Rose’s men took advantage of results elsewhere to move up a place to eighth. With all four clubs ahead of them in the race for the playoff spots going down to defeat, it meant Wingate & Finchley, shock losers at home to Canvey Island, currently 5th were now with six points of Hamlet. Should Hamlet make best use of their games in hand then a surely a playoff place is within their grasp, even if the Ryman League title may be a distant dream.

Tuesday night’s game kicks off at 7.45 pm and takes place at the Moss Rose Stadium, London Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 7SP

For directions to the Moss Rose please visit the official Macclesfield Town website by clicking here

Spaces may still be available for the Supporters’ coaches run by the 12th Man – click here for information about booking

Admission Prices:

• Adults: £12
• Concessions £8
• U18: £2