The Silkmen progressed to the 2nd Round of the Youth Alliance Cup on Saturday thanks to a 2-1 victory over Rochdale at the Moss Rose.
It was the youngsters' third consecutive win, made the more impressive by the fact they again had to come from behind after the visitors had taken the lead on 20 minutes.
The response was immediate with Vinny Mukendi once again finding the net with a goal of some quality. Receiving the ball from Tom France the striker was able to control the pass with his chest before advancing past the defender and firing in from just outside of the 18 yard box.
It was a classy finish from a young man full of confidence and he was to follow that up with the second, and decisive goal, with just under twenty minutes left to play. Mukendi disposed the defender and kept his head to draw the keeper out before slotting the ball home.
However whilst the lanky striker will grab all the headlines the manager, John Askey was keen to praise the contribution of keeper Josh Welsby (Pictured) who saved not one, but two penalties.
"It's probably one of the best, if not the very best, displays I have ever seen by a keeper," enthused John. "In addition to the two penalty saves, one in each half, he pulled off a number of great saves. We could have easily been two or three behind at the break were it not for him."
"We took advantage, kept battling and in the end deserved to progress. Rochdale have invested heavily in their youth policy in the past twelve months, scouring the North West for the best young talent. But we were more than a match and it would be great to get another home draw in the next round as this is a cup competition we have a realistic chance of winning."
The youngsters are without a game this coming weekend, returning to league action the following Saturday when they travel to Chester City.
Stay tuned to www.mtfc.co.uk for news of the 2nd Round Youth Alliance Draw.
