Dour game, but we’re still in the Vase!

Congleton Town 1 Ashton Athletic 1 (AET)

The Carlsberg F.A. Vase 2nd Qualifying Round Saturday 22nd September 2007

In an effort to sure-up the Bears defensive frailties, manager Anthony Buckle signed Andy Bostock, a left-back from Newcastle Town and Carl Nesbitt, a strong tackling midfield player from Vauxhall Motors, and gave them both their debuts at Booth Street in Saturday’s FA vase tie against NWCFL2 side Ashton Athletic.

There were a couple of half-chances at either end in the opening minutes with Gallanders curling one in at the near post but Wilkes was able to collect comfortably. Congleton pressed hard and won a free-kick that Johnson delivered into the box. Through a crowd of players the referee somehow saw an infringement on the goalkeeper and awarded a free-kick to Ashton.

A good interchange of passes after 13 minutes released Williams down the left and his low driven cross into the box found Johnson in a central position, the Congleton midfielder blazing narrowly over from 18 yards.

Midway through the first half, Congleton had their all too familiar panic attack at the back. Firstly a harmless looking free-kick was floated into the box and as the ball was half cleared Bennett tried a shot over his shoulder that flew just wide of the corner apex of the goal. A minute later Alston misjudged his clearance, which went high into the air, before falling to Gallanders who shot high and wide from the edge of the penalty area. That had Manager Anthony Buckle up in arms with his defensive outfit once more.

Despite being clearly the better side in the first half, the Bears’ attacking forays were limited as they were not keen to commit too many men into attack. Williams swapped to the right wing and almost immediately caught out the Ashton defence when he cut inside and dragged his shot narrowly wide of the near post.

A free-kick in a promising position nearly cost Congleton dear. There was a complete mix up which allowed Ashton to steal the ball and break quickly downfield. Wilkes had to be out quickly to save at the feet of Sherlock, who recovered quickly but could only find the side-netting with his second attempt.

In the closing minute of the first half Congleton were awarded a free-kick that was taken quickly and with the Ashton defence still trying to organise itself Hurst stole in to meet the cross but could only glance his attempt across the face of goal.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 0 Ashton Athletic 0

Both teams took to the field for the second half knowing that there had been chances for both sides in the first half and that a solitary goal might be the difference between the two sides. Unfortunately for the spectators in attendance, that didn’t inspire either side to push forward that much more and the game became even more defensive in nature.
Indicative of this was the fact that the more defensive Harris was introduced in place of JP Jones at the start of the second half, which was perhaps an indication of the approach that the Congleton manager would be adopting and Johnson moved out to the right to accommodate Harris in the centre.

An early free-kick was wasted by Ashton’s Lawton as he blazed over the bar from 25 yards and the first exciting incident of the second half came in the 59th minute when Townshend replaced the ineffective Almond in attack for the visitors.

Town were doing most of the pressing, but without much penetration and always looked vulnerable to a quick counter-attack that never actually came. Kitchen replaced Bennett after 70 minutes for Ashton and a dubious free-kick decision in a dangerous area just to the right of the penalty area created a scramble in the Bears’ defence with Wilkes on hand to collect the ball at the near post.

Twigg replaced Hurst for the final ten minutes of the game to try and provide a bit of extra height in attack against two very tall centre-backs. Johnson squandered an opportunity to win the game for the Bears in the last five minutes when he cut inside two defenders but dragged his shot wide of the near post. That was the last ‘action’ of the half and so the game went into extra time.

Full-Time: Congleton Town 0 Ashton Athletic 0

Ashton almost took the lead straight from the restart as Gallanders was allowed to carry the ball too far into the Bears’ defence and Wilkes had to get down smartly to smother his near post shot. A free-kick at the other end created problems for the Ashton defence and Twigg rose just too early to get a touch on Johnson’s in-swinging ball. Kitchen then narrowly missed out on a low cross as he moved unmarked into the penalty area.

The Bears finally got the breakthrough they were looking for when the nimble feet of Johnson were scythed from under him as he danced his way into the opponents’ penalty area. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and the reliable Haddrell made no mistake from the spot sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Extra Time - 1st period: Congleton Town 1 Ashton Athletic 0

A slight knock meant that Captain Alston had to be taken off and Keeling was sent on with Haddrell dropping back into the centre of defence. This seemed to spur on the Ashton forwards who knew they had the beating of Haddrell for pace.

Lawton saw his free-kick from a central position take a nasty deflection off the wall and the wrong-footed Wilkes was happy to see the ball go wide of the far post. The writing was on the wall though and Ashton equalised from the very next free-kick that they were awarded, yet another that was dubious in its origin. From out on the right the ball was put into the danger area and striker McVeigh was on hand to get the final touch on the ball that sent in wide of Wilkes and into the far corner of the goal.

There was almost an instant riposte as one of Town’s better passing moves allowed Johnson to get a low cross into the box from their right and Keeling, sliding in, was unable to get a touch on the ball as it flashed across the face of goal.

Kitchen wasted another great opportunity when left unmarked at the back-post from a deep cross. With time to set himself, the Ashton replacement could only guide his headed attempt high and over the crossbar from a narrow angle.

Aspinall picked up the only caution of the day in the final minutes as a wild tackle once more sent Johnson sprawling to the ground, although nothing would come of the resultant free-kick. Potter replaced Sherlock for the final two minutes for the visitors and as the game came to an end it was the Bears who were hanging on for the draw and the chance to progress via a replay.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, A.Bostock, Lycett, Alston A (C), C.Nesbitt, JP Jones, Johnson, Hurst, Haddrell, Williams.
Subs: Twigg, Buckle, Harris, Keeling, Heeps.

“COLLIEDOG”

Double defeat halts Bears progress!

Congleton Town 1 Salford City 5

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One : Saturday 15 September 2007

The Bears fell to two league defeats last week and left management duo Anthony Buckle and Darren Twigg pondering their options in a quest to sure-up their leaky defence. Goals conceded have proved a significant problem for the Bears’ as their two strikers, Matt Haddrell and Andy Hurst, proudly sit in 1st and 3rd place respectively in the goal-scorers table, but they still carry forward a negative goal difference.

In a game that was a little closer than the scoreline might suggest, Congleton Town fell to their second defeat at the hands of second placed Salford City at Booth Street on Saturday (15th). Four goals from Tommy Turner, one in the first half and a hat-trick in the second, two while the visitors were reduced to ten men, sealed Town’s worst home defeat in the league since January 2005 and dropped them three places, to 10th, in the league table.

The Bears got off to the worst possible start, scoring an own-goal after just three minutes. A rather innocuous looking cross from the Salford right was aimed in to the back post. Both Alston and Williams were there to see the ball clear, but when Alston only got the merest of touches onto the ball with his head, the unfortunate Williams had to react and could only watch as the ball hit his outstretched leg and slipped inside the post. It was the last thing an already fragile defence needed, particularly against one of the top contenders.

Despite that early setback, the Bears kept their heads up and almost drew level twice in the next couple of minutes. First Matt Haddrell was picked out by a clever through-ball, but he lacked the pace to run clear of the defenders and chose to shoot early, the goalkeeper Moore saving with his legs. Moments later a ball into the box generated confusion in the Salford penalty area and a looping header was left by Moore and when it rebounded off the base of the post he struggled to fumble the ball behind to concede a corner.

The Bears eventually drew level after 27 minutes and once again it was Andy Hurst who got onto the scoresheet. A lovely sweeping move out to the right ended with a pin-point cross into the box from Jordan Johnson and Hurst was on hand to head the ball powerfully home. At this point the scoreline accurately reflected the balance of the game; both sides were pretty even in all areas of the field, both defensively and going forward.

The context of the game changed in the 38th minute though, when Scott Williams, racing down the inside left channel towards the bye-line, was taken down by a clumsy challenge from Keigher. The tackle left Williams writhing around in agony clutching his right leg and after several minutes of attention on the pitch, he was stretchered off to warm applause from the concerned spectators. Banawich was introduced to replace Williams at left back, the Congleton left-winger in no condition to continue. Despite calls for Keigher to be dismissed, the referee produced a yellow card, a decision that was later proven to be the correct one from the photographic evidence.

Unfortunately, Johnson wasted the resultant free-kick, blazing well wide from a narrow angle, but almost immediately had an opportunity to set the record straight. Hurst broke clear, down the inside left channel and rounded the goalkeeper, but rather than shoot from a narrow angle he instead laid the ball across to Johnson in a more central position. To be fair to Johnson, the ball came at him with some pace and directly into his feet where he struggled to get immediate control of the ball. That delay in striking the ball allowed Salford defenders to get back and the chance was lost.

As if things couldn’t get any worse, the visitors then made a speedy foray down their left, into the Bears’ half, and an untimely slip by Lycett, as the ball was played across the face of goal, allowed Turner to steal in at the back post to slot the ball past Wilkes. However unfortunate that slip was, it went down as yet another defensive error that cost the team dear and left the Bears trailing at the half-time interval.

Half Time: Congleton 1 Salford City 2

Any intentions the Bears had when they emerged from the dressing room for the second half were quickly shot down as no sooner had the second half started they found themselves even further behind. Chris Jones had replaced Keigher during the break and in a whirr of activity from the kick-off, Salford scythed open the Congleton defence, who were probably still considering the Manager’s half-time words, and Turner was again on hand to blast the ball past a shocked Wilkes.

Once again the Bears found themselves chasing a game having surrendered sloppy goals to the opposition. And again it meant that they had to look to push forward if they were to salvage anything from a game that threatened to get away from them, having played an equal part in the earlier proceedings. They nearly took instant retaliation when Jones conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position and picked up a yellow card for his trouble. Matt Haddrell curled one in to the near post and Moore was called into action to push the ball away before the defence scrambled the ball clear.

There appeared to be some light at the end of the tunnel for the Bears though, when the visitors were reduced to ten men just six minutes into the half. Hurst, chasing a long ball forward, was almost able to take advantage of some hesitation in the Salford defence. As he lifted the ball forward, Moore had advanced outside of his area and palmed the ball away to prevent the ball going beyond him. The referee issued a straight red card and Robinson was called upon to wear the ‘keepers jersey.

Johnson blasted the ball into the wall and a quick clearance down field caught the Bears’ defence unawares. Turner once again raced clear on goal as two Congleton players almost collided in midfield allowing the ball to pass straight by them. In time-served fashion he made no mistake in putting the ball wide of Wilkes and into the opposite corner of the goal.

Any hopes the Bears had of any sort of a comeback were then dealt a severe blow when Salford’s substitute ‘keeper pulled off a fantastic diving save to his left to deny Haddrell’s seemingly goal-bound header. Clearly this was not to be their day and heads dropped somewhat after that.

The game became rather scrappy in the final thirty minutes. Woolley replaced Hammond and JP Jones replaced Harris in a double substitution. There was little in the way of goalmouth action from either side thereafter; not until the 75th minute when Turner completed his four-goal haul, getting on the end of a deep cross from the left, and directing a powerful header across goal that Wilkes got down to, to push away, but not according to the referee until after the ball had already crossed the goal-line.

That completed the rout for the visitors. Matt Haddell picked up an unnecessary booking for two fouls in quick succession and the visitors saw out the remainder of the half, replacing Brackenridge and Baguley with Buckley and McNally in the closing minutes.

At the end of the game Anthony Buckle rued the defensive mistakes that had cost his team once again. Assistant Darren Twigg was quick to point out though that the team had more than held its’ own in the first half and that once the defensive errors could be ironed out, there could be heart taken from that.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Williams, Lycett, Alston (C), Hammond, Harris, Johnson, Hurst, Haddrell, Twigg.
Subs.: JP Jones, Banawich, Buckle, Woolley, Keeling.

COLLIEDOG

Winsford Utd 3 Congleton Town 1

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One : Tuesday 11 September 2007

The first defeat came at the hands of local rivals and newly promoted Winsford United at their Barnton Stadium ground on Tuesday night (11th). All the goals came in the first half with the final Winsford goal summing up what was a woeful performance from the Bears’ back four during the first 45 minutes.

Winsford started the game brightly, putting the Bears under early pressure albeit with little in the way of attempts on goal to show for their domination. Just as the visitors looked to be getting a bit of a foothold in the game the home side opened the scoring with a speculative strike that Bears’ keeper Adam Wilkes should have done better with. A breaking ball fell nicely for Connell, who was positioned on the right edge of the Bears’ penalty area, some 25 yards out. He struck the ball on the half-volley, catching Wilkes unawares and the Congleton stopper reacted too late to get anything on the ball before it crashed into the net at his near post.

Congleton nearly equalised immediately from the restart with Matt Haddrell getting in a header across the face of goal that sailed narrowly wide. For a moment it looked as though the Bears were just going through their usual slow start and were now beginning to get to grips with the game as they had done the previous Saturday against Ramsbottom. Instead, on 22 minutes, it was the home side who put together a neat break up-field before former Bears’ striker Les Miranda coolly slotted home to extend their lead.

The only hope for Bears’ away supporters was that their free-scoring team could find a way back into the game by scoring more than they conceded. That looked a real possibility just five minutes after the home sides’ second goal, when Andy Hurst reduced the deficit. A free-kick conceded in an inside left position midway inside the Winsford half was swept into the box and Matt Haddrell rose highest to head the ball back across goal. Hurst positioned on the edge of the six-yard box at the near post got the slightest of touches on the ball with his head to send the ball into the back of the net via the inside of the post.

Any revival was short lived though as a misunderstanding in the Congleton defence gifted a third and decisive goal to their opponents. Hammond, carrying the ball forward inside the Winsford half lost possession of the ball and a long ball up-field looked to be presenting no problems to the Bears’ defence. Scott Lycett, who was shepherding the ball back, didn’t get a call from the advancing Wilkes and with Connell advancing to put him under pressure, the Congleton centre-back was forced to head the ball on. In a classic sporting bloopers moment the ball sailed up and over Wilkes and left Connell to benefit from his predatory instincts with an open goal in front of him and the simplest of tap-ins to restore the home sides two-goal advantage.

The manner of Winsford’s third goal took any wind out of the Bears’ sails and for the remainder of the half the side never looked like it was going to get back into contention.

Half-Time: Winsford Utd. 3 Congleton Town 1

During the half-time interval Hammond was sacrificed, perhaps for his earlier indiscretion, and JP Jones was introduced down the left, with Johnson switching inside. There was certainly more purpose to the visitors’ play when the second half started. Two early chances went begging to get themselves back into the game, but after that the longer the half went on, the less likely it seemed that the Bears would be able to take something from the game.

For Winsford’s part, they seemed happy to sit on their lead and not commit too many men forward. As the game wore on, the Bears had to play a more attacking game and that left gaps at the back for Miranda and Connell to exploit, but on several occasions they were called back for narrow offside decisions.

The proclaimed ‘legendary’ Miranda was replaced midway through the second half to rapturous applause from the home supporters who by then had sensed that the Bears had run out of ideas at how to break down their well organised defence.

Congleton put in one last concerted effort as the game entered the final ten minutes but to no avail. At the final whistle the home side had run out deserved winners in a game where the Bears failed to get started after the early setbacks.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Williams, Lycett, Alston (C), Hammond, Johnson, Harris, Hurst, Haddrell, JP Jones.
Subs: Twigg, Keeling, Banawich, Leighton, Buckle.


Bears bounce back with five of their own!

Congleton Town 5 Ramsbottom Utd. 2

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One : Saturday 8 september 2007

After the disappointment of FA Cup exit in controversial circumstances on Tuesday, Congleton were back in league action on Saturday with the visit to Booth Street of Ramsbottom United. A perennial bogey side for the Bears, Ramsbottom had lost the services of influential striker Carl Lomax at the end of last season, but had started the season reasonably well sitting just behind Town in the league table.

There were a number of changes in evidence for the home side too. Adam Wilkes returned in goal in place of Paul Forester, who is taking some time away from the game. Scott Williams replaced Will Leighton at left-back and Kevin Hammond returned to the centre of midfield with Jordan Johnson and Nathan Keeling playing on the wings. Attacking duo Andy Hurst and Matt Haddrell continued their partnership up front and in a numerically diminished squad, John-Paul Jones, manager Anthony Buckle and Jay Banawich made up the substitutes bench.

It was a painfully slow start for the Bears, who just never seemed to get out of first gear in the opening twenty minutes of the game. Midway through that period the visitors took the lead after an uncharacteristic mistake by Captain Andy Alston. Pearson caught the Bears’ central defender in possession as he attempted to bring the ball out of defence and fed the ball into Johnson who cut across the edge of the Congleton penalty area. As the space to shoot opened in front of him, Johnson saw his goal-bound effort deflected by the recovering Alston who could only guide the ball into the opposite corner of the goal.

As the Bears settled into the game, there was more evidence of their attacking threat up-front. Haddrell almost got up high enough to a deep Johnson free-kick but could only head the ball harmlessly over. The pressure Town were now applying paid off soon enough though as on 31 minutes the scores were level. Town forced a throw-in down their right and Keeling and Vickers exchanged passes before the latter curled in an inviting ball into the Ramsbottom penalty area. Andy Hurst was well positioned and superbly guided his header wide of the diving Ogden in goal. It was a goal of sheer class, both in the build-up and in the final execution.

It was all joy for Congleton six minutes later as Hurst was once again on hand to find the back of the net and give the home side the lead. A corner on the left was floated in by Johnson and Hammond got up highest to head the ball back across goal. Hurst was positioned well near the foot of the near post and in true poachers fashion managed to get a deflection onto the ball and send it inside the post, much to the fans delight.

Ramsbottom tried to hit back quickly and spurned two good chances to level the game once more, but as the half came to a close McDonald let the visitor’s frustration get the better of him and he was cautioned for a rather clumsy challenge as the Bears pressed forward again with Keeling and Vickers operating well down the right.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 2 Ramsbottom 1

Things couldn’t have started better for the Bears in the second half. Hurst, looking for his hat-trick was denied at the near post as the ball was taken off his boot and forced behind for a corner. When the ball came in the referee spotted an illegal push on Hurst and promptly awarded a penalty. Once again there was no sentiment involved in the penalty takers decision and Haddrell stepped forward to convert the spot-kick in his usual inimitable style.

50 minutes gone and at 3-1, the Bears were guilty of thinking that the hard work had been done and that the visitors would be resigned to defeat. To their credit Ramsbottom re-doubled their efforts from the restart and were back to within a one goal deficit within five minutes. Congleton had been slow to react to a slick passing move moments earlier and had clearly not learnt their lesson as in their very next attack Cryer held off his defender with his back to goal and laid the ball off to the onrushing Johnson, who gave Wilkes no chance from 15 yards.

Suddenly it was panic stations at the back for the home side and seconds later a powerful cross into the penalty area was charged down and the referee decided there was intent and awarded a penalty for hand-ball. Rams’ Captain Maden stepped forward to take the spot-kick but was denied by an excellent save by Wilkes who was up quickly to smother the ball at the second attempt. Wilkes proved himself an able ‘keeper again just five minutes later as he made another fine save to keep his side in front after the Bears had lost possession just outside their own penalty area.

The game descended into a very scrappy affair and both sides looked dangerous going forward but equally as vulnerable at the back. On 63 minutes a double substitution for the visitors saw Adams and McDonald replaced by O’Shaughnessy and Sensale.

There were half chances aplenty for both sides and Haddrell headed another Johnson cross straight into Ogden’s arms before Wilkes was once again called into action, diving to his left to make a fine one-handed save to prevent Cryer’s glancing header from nestling into the bottom corner of the goal.

On 74 minutes JP Jones replaced Hammond allowing Johnson to play a more central role. Three minutes later the visitors made their final change with Price coming on in place of Maden. Hurst, running the inside right channel then raced onto a delightful ball from Haddrell, turned inside one defender and looked to be held as he got his shot away, only to be denied his hat-trick by a great one handed save from Ogden.

With Bears’ fans hearts in their mouths, Johnson produced a piece of individual skill on 84 minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Jones drew the defenders out to the left before cleverly cutting inside and laying the ball into Johnson’s feet. Some neat footwork from him evaded two defenders and created a shooting opportunity which he duly hammered into the roof of the net.

Hurst was once again creating all sorts of problems with his probing runs and his new found confidence was inspiring to see. Keeling was replaced by Banawich as Buckle looked to sure up his defensive capabilities, but it was the Bears who put their attacking resources to best use to further extend their lead. Ogden had his hands stung by a rasping drive from Haddrell and from the resulting corner, the league’s top marksman crashed home a powerful header to complete the scoring and earn the Bears the rapturous applause from the fans when the referees whistle brought the game to an end.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Williams, Lycett, Alston A (C), Hammond, Keeling, Harris, Hurst, Haddrell, Johnson.
Subs: Jones, Buckle, Banawich.

“COLLIEDOG”

Bears felt robbed of chance to progress in Cup!

Congleton Town 1 Colwyn Bay 5

The E-on F.A. Cup Preliminary Round Replay – Tuesday 4th September 2007

The Bears were dramatically dumped out of the Nation’s most prestigious football cup competition when they took on Unibond First Division South side Colwyn Bay in their replay encounter at Booth Street on Tuesday night. One incident, the sending off of left wing maestro Scott Williams in the 39th minute, changed the entire complexion of the game and left Bears’ fans feeling angry and cheated by the actions of the referee.

Congleton had earned the right to settle the tie on home soil after a brave showing away at Colwyn Bay on the Saturday prior, when only a last minute goal from the home side had prevented the tie from being settled there and then. It was a largely unchanged side that took to the field and a healthy crowd of just over two hundred were on hand to witness proceedings in an atmosphere that was extremely cordial with both sets of fans looking forward to an exciting and entertaining game.

Colwyn Bay started the game the brighter of the two sides and their high tempo and accurate passing left the Bears chasing the ball for most of the opening fifteen minutes. As Congleton finally started to settle into the game, there were brief glimpses of the danger that they could cause their loftier opposition. Andy Hurst turned cleverly inside the-centre circle to open up space in front of him. Carrying the ball forward he spotted the run of Matt Hadrell and laid the ball forward into his path. Bay defender Swan had to get across quickly to get in a timely challenge and prevent Haddrell from getting his shot away.

The Bears took the lead in the 23rd minute after a mistake by Boardman failed to prevent a corner being awarded. Jordan Johnson delivered the ball into a crowd of players on the six yard line and Paul Harris saw his header cleared off the line. In the ensuing scramble the ball broke to Andy Hurst who fired the ball into the roof of the Colwyn Bay net.

The goal only served to spur on the visitors and once again they took the game to the Bears, but the midfield and defence worked hard to prevent their opponents from getting a clear sight on goal. Alston made a timely interception when he headed clear a ball played over the top before Murt could bring it under control and Black took advantage of a Leighton mistake to get in a shot on goal that Forester collected without too much trouble.

At the other end Johnson produce a piece of magic to cut inside and along the edge of the penalty area. His cross in to the near post saw Hurst get in between two defenders, only to see his effort sail narrowly wide of the post. From the clearance Woolley was forced to put in a risky challenge to prevent a quick break from taking place and he was cautioned for his trouble. Seconds later Crowder was also cautioned for the visitors, as the game heated up.

With the Bears leading, defending stoutly, and looking dangerous on the break, the signs looked pretty good for the home side. Matters were about to take a turn for the worst though, in the most bizarre of circumstances. Chasing a cross-field ball, Colwyn ‘keeper Speare raised a boot towards Williams as he leapt to punch the ball clear. As play continued Williams remonstrated with the ‘keeper for his actions and as the referee, who was following the game, turned his attention back towards the confrontation, he saw Williams mimic the actions of the ‘keeper. Williams was summarily dismissed as the referee misinterpreted his actions as an attempt to kick the ‘keeper, despite the fact that there was no intention by Williams, nor was the action directed towards him.

Speare also picked up a yellow card for the original challenge after the referee consulted with his official, but by then the damage was done. The Bears lost their shape as they tried desperately to reorganise their remaining ten men, but the Bay players could now smell blood and redoubled their efforts. In another sparkling run Lawless cut inside to fire across goal, finding Crowder unmarked at the back post and he shot across Forester into the opposite corner to bring the scores level at the break. Bears’ fans were understandably outraged at the sending-off decision and made their feelings known to the referee as he left the field of play.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 1 Colwyn Bay 1

Similar questions were asked by the Bears’ management team during the half-time break which saw them re-emerge in the second half to watch the game from behind the perimeter wall.

Unfortunately for the Bears there were to be no stories of ten men heroics, or of withstanding the second half onslaught but holding out for a remarkable victory. Instead the game became a procession of attacking play from the visitors to which Congleton could find little answer. Unable to cope with the width provided by Lawless and Crowder and the direct running of Murt and Black down the middle the Bears collapsed under the weight of the task in front of them and the visitors ran out comfortable winners, scoring four second half goals.

Armstrong started the second half rout within six minutes of the restart as he ghosted in at the back post to head home unchallenged from a corner. Two minutes later Black finally made one of his probing runs count as he latched onto a ball played inside the penalty area, cut inside his marker and fired low past Forester. Things went from bad to worse six minutes later when the normally reliable Forester misjudged a high bouncing ball, juggling with it before finally laying it at the feet of Black, who had the simplest of tap-ins to further extend the visitor’s lead.

In an attempt to sure up his defence, Buckle introduced Hammond into a hastily arranged back five, with three in the centre and Vickers and Johnson playing as wing-backs. Leighton was the man to make way and Jones replaced the front-running Hurst several minutes later. 4-1 to the good and with the tie effectively won, Colwyn Bay took their foot off the gas a little and Callaghan replaced Boardman, whilst Buckle made his final change introducing Keeling for the injured Woolley.

For the Bears’ faithful who remained to see out the game there was almost a consolation goal to celebrate in the 78th minute. Johnson found Haddrell in the centre of the penalty area and his powerful header was tipped over the bar by Speare. That joy was short-lived though as another Congleton attack broke down when Hammond brought the ball forward from defence but gifted away possession. A quick break up-field allowed Black to cement the visitor’s victory with his hat-trick as he calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Forester.

Quayle came on to replace Murt for the visitors and the final action of the half saw another Town player, Keeling, enter into the referee’s notebook. At the final whistle Bears’ fans once again showed their disapproval of the referee’s decision, one which had soured the otherwise cordial atmosphere and spoiled the entertainment value of the game for all but the most hardened Bay supporter.

Team: Forester, Vickers, Leighton, Lycett, Alston A (C), Harris, Johnson, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Williams.
Subs: Keeling, Hammond, Jones, Skellern, Buckle.

“COLLIEDOG”

Bears gain well deserved replay in FA Cup!

Colwyn Bay 2 Congleton Town 2

The E-on F.A. Cup Preliminary Round Replay – Tuesday 4th September 2007

Scorers : Haddrell 1 min
Williams 33 min

Cautions : Hurst (yes Hurst) mins
Vickers 40 mins

Subs Keeling for Woolley 63 mins
Skellern for Williams 66 mins

Forrester, Vickers, Leighton, Lycett, A Alston, Harris, Johnson, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Williams
Subs Keeling, Skellern, Twigg, Chadwick

Bears’ improvement continues!

Maine Road 1 Congleton Town 2

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One Tuesday 28 August 2007

Congleton travelled to South Manchester on Tuesday night on the back of their weekend victory over Silsden, their first in the league this season. Their opponents, Maine Road, had also had a slow start to the season, and were smarting from an unexpected home defeat at the hands of Formby at the weekend. Both teams would therefore be looking for a win to boost their league position and so a competitive match was expected.

Adam Wilkes kept his place in Town’s goal ahead of Paul Forester and saw the early action as he collected a flick header at the near post in the opening minutes. Congleton struck back with a series of probing attacks themselves and had the better of the opening exchanges without ever getting an opportunity to test Greg Hall in the Maine Road goal.

Although there had been some threatening signs, Maine Road snatched the lead out of the blue on 12 minutes. The Bears failed to pick up on a short corner and Mack and Cheetham exchanged passes before Mack whipped in an in-swinging cross to the back post. Assistant manager Darren Twigg, in charge for the evening, would have been furious to see an unmarked Anthony Roberts steal in between the centre-backs to plant a firm header past Wilkes.

At the other end, regular strike duo Andy Hurst and Matt Haddrell were struggling to get much service, and when they did, couldn’t find their shooting boots. The Maine Road back four were a solid and speedy outfit and Hall seemed to have good ariel command of his area. Scott Lycett, back alongside Andy Alston in central defence picked up an early booking after 19 minutes for a late sliding tackle which meant that he’d have to be careful for the rest of the game.

Maine Road, assisted by a referee who seemed too keen to stop play at the slightest Bears’ infringement, kept up the pressure with a series of corners and a number of free-kicks in and around the box, but all to no avail. Much of the delivery was to the front post where the Bears dealt with any danger well.

It was a frustrating half for Congleton’s travelling support; every time an attacking move got started, a stray pass, or a poor ball into the penalty area, undid much of the good work that was taking place in the build-up. Vickers and Johnson combined well on two occasions allowing Vickers to put crosses in, but both times the ball was dragged behind the attacking players. Late on in the half Haddrell worked a bit of magic with his ball control and thought he’d fashioned an opening, only for Jay to get in a well timed block as the shot came in. The Bears’ failure to fully capitalise on their hard work left the team trailing 1-0 at half-time.

Half-Time: Maine Road 1 Congleton Town 0

After the interval, both sides continued to play some good open football. In a quick Maine Road break, Beckford beat Leighton for pace on the right and put in a dangerous cross that Lycett did well to head behind to concede a corner. At the other end, Harris and Johnson were starting to combine well down the right, Harris in only his second full start was showing some good touches, after a nervy performance last time out. That Harris/Johnson combination provided the key to Town’s equaliser on 53 minutes, when Harris was sent through on the right. His cross found Andy Hurst making a run into the near post and a glancing header left Hall with no chance.

With parity restored, both sides were perhaps thinking more about not losing the game rather than going all out to win it. Two dogged defences competed hard for every ball and clear scoring chances were at an absolute premium. Beckford put in the only shot on goal in a ten minute period; a rasping drive from 25 yards that flew wide, but had Wilkes was scrambling across his goal. The Maine Road midfielder was involved again at the end of that ten minute lull, when he looked to have been sent through on goal, only to find Lycett at his very best with a last minute sliding tackle.

On 64 minutes, Twigg introduced some extra width onto the right; bringing on Keeling in place of Woolley, and pulling Johnson back into centre-midfield. Harris put a dangerous looking free-kick from just inside the Maine Road half that Hurst was first to again, but this time his glancing header was sent wide. The earlier skilful play of Johnson drew Maine Road to cover him inside, which made Keeling an immediate outlet on the wing. In one such move the ball came in from the right and was played back to Johnson in the centre, whose shot flew high and wide from the edge of the penalty area.

The decisive goal came with fifteen minutes remaining and it always seemed that a goal of outstanding skill would be the difference between the two sides. Haddrell received the ball to feet and controlled it superbly to take two Maine Road defenders out of the equation. One look up was all it took for Haddrell to see an opportunity and he bent an unstoppable shot, from a standing position, around Hall’s despairing dive and inside the far post.

Maine Road threw on Yates and O’Shea for McGregor and Struminsky in an attempt to vary the play, but their need to come forward left big holes at the back which Hurst could exploit. Chances came thick and fast for the Bears, but to no avail. Williams and Leighton both had shots from the edge of the area; the former was beaten away and the latter was off-target. Skellern replaced Hurst with eight minutes remaining and looked to have beaten Hall in a race for the ball down the left touchline only to see the ‘keeper handle the ball and pick up a booking.

In the closing seconds, Wadsworth replaced Mack and a well timed tackle sent Skellern through one-on-one with just Hall to beat. The Town striker failed to convert his chance as he dragged his shot wide of the ‘keeper, but even wider of the post. The referee played an excessive amount of added time, but at the final whistle there was joy for the Bears’ who had worked hard for a well-earned and deserved victory.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Leighton, Lycett, Alston A (C), Harris, Johnson, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Williams.
Subs: Keeling, Skellern, Twigg.

“COLLIEDOG”

Town record first home win of the season!

Congleton Town 3 Silsden 1

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One Saturday 25 August 2007

Searching for their first victory of the new campaign, manager Anthony Buckle was forced to ring the changes in the Congleton line up for Saturday’s home tie against Silsden. Adam Wilkes came in as a replacement for Paul Forester in the Congleton goal, Kevin Hammond returned from injury at centre-back, which allowed Scott Lycett to push forward into midfield. Jordan Johnson was moved out onto the right and a late injury to Matt Woolley saw Nathan Keeling promoted into the starting line-up from off the bench.

Congleton started the game well, maintaining a good tempo and an early move down the left ended with Scott Williams’ cross drifting behind. Silsden soon made their statement of intention though with Holden breaking inside from the right and forcing Wilkes into his first save; getting down to his right to smother the ball.

The game became a rather cagey affair with neither side seemingly wanting to go for broke. Simpson almost latched onto a through-ball down the centre, but Wilkes was out quickly to clear the ball downfield. The first signs of danger came from a Silsden throw-in when a long near-post ball caused a bit of panic in the Bears’ defence and the ball was eventually scrambled clear.

Disaster struck midway through the first-half, when the visitors took the lead when there seemed to be little danger. A throw-in on the near side halfway line was picked up by King and Town’s defence was caught static when his cross-field through-ball found Simpson running through the defensive line to go one on one with Wilkes. The Silsden striker showed great composure, waiting for Wilkes to commit himself before placing his pass the opposite way to the ‘keepers’ dive to give the visitors the lead.

It was a short-lived lead though as Congleton suddenly sprang into action and took a firm grip on the game. In a classy move, Nathan Keeling collected a diagonal ball from midfield and held the ball on the edge of the opponents’ penalty area, laying the ball forward into Adam Vickers on the overlap. Vickers put in a fantastic cross, right into the area between defenders and ‘keeper and Hurst burst through the centre to guide the ball home from six yards out.

On the half-hour, Matt Haddrell picked up an unnecessary yellow card for persistent minor offences which was a little pedantic from the official in the middle.

Congleton continued to have the better of the game, and Haddrell dragged the ball wide from an indirect free-kick. A defensive lapse could have cost them dear moments later though, as Bentham was allowed a free-header from a corner that went back across goal and well wide of the post.

The Bears took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Scott Lycett was brought down as he carried the ball towards the opponents’ penalty area. That challenge earned King a yellow card and from the free-kick Haddrell’s shot was deflected into the air and dropped handily for Hurst who made no mistake in firing the ball past Foulger in the Silsden goal.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 2 Silsden 1

The second half started in much the same fashion as the first had ended with Congleton in the ascendancy but with Silsden always looking as though they might create something on the break. Hurst was called back for an offside decision just two minutes after the restart, although he clearly wasn’t. With Hurst clean through on goal, the assistant on the far side was at least ten yards behind the play at the time he made the call.

Silsden brought on Dibb to replace Applebee on 56 minutes and the Bears were falling into the trap of allowing their opponents too much time on the ball. Holden cut inside from the right and aimed a near post shot that Wilkes was well positioned to make an easy save. Dibb then fired well over from the edge of the 18 yard box as the Bears struggled to clear their lines from a throw-in.

Towns’ manager had seen enough and brought on the more defensive Harris for the attacking Keeling, in an attempt to bring more substance into the midfield area. The visitors also made their second change of the game bringing on Moriarty for Reilly.

The decisive goal came midway through the second half when Hurst ran onto a ball played down the inside right channel and received a push in the back as he attempted to shield the ball from a defender. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and despite Hurst being on his hat-trick, there was no sentiment allowed to cloud the Bears’ judgement with Haddrell assigned the task of converting the spot-kick. Silsden ‘keeper Foulger can feel very unlucky though, as he managed to get something on Haddrell’s penalty, but the pace and spin on the ball carried it over him and into the back of the net to effectively seal all three points for the home side.

Silsden tried hard to force their way back into the game, but the Bears were comfortable playing on the break and the game became a midfield stalemate until the final fifteen minutes of the game. King, who was cautioned in the first-half, saw red for a heavy challenge on Jordan Johnson and any hope that Silsden had of a late recovery ended as they were reduced to ten men.

There was no reason for Congleton to go all out for more goals though and the game as a contest was over. Hurst was replaced by Skellern with ten minutes remaining and five minutes later Haddrell was replaced by Twigg. Skellern produced some neat, skilful play on the edge of the penalty area before finding Williams out on the left. Williams’ cross was blocked behind for a corner and Skellern was nearly rewarded for his earlier good play as from the corner he was presented with a shooting opportunity that he dragged narrowly wide across the face of goal.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Leighton, Hammond, Alston A (C), Keeling, Johnson, Lycett, Hurst, Haddrell, Williams.
Subs: Twigg, Harris, Woolley, Skellern, Buckle.
“COLLIEDOG”

Points shared in epic encounter.

Congleton Town 3 Runcorn Linnets 3

The Vodkat North West Counties League Division One Tuesday 21 August 2007

Never has the old football cliché, ‘It’s a game of two halves’ been more apt than in Tuesday (21st) night’s encounter against newly promoted Runcorn Linnets.

Runcorn got off to a flying start and immediately put the Bears defence under pressure with Loughlin putting in a couple of early crosses from the right. On the third occasion that he was allowed to put the ball into the box, Thompson had a shot blocked that ricocheted back off him but sat up nicely for Forester to pluck out of the air.

Congleton settled after the opening five minutes and Linnets’ defender Roberts had to shepherd Andy Hurst off the ball to prevent the Bears’ striker from breaking through on goal. Runcorn however were working very hard to deny Town any time on the ball and that had the desired effect of making it difficult for them to play any solid, constructive football.

On the other hand, Congleton were prepared to give their opponents time on the ball and that proved very costly in the 14th minute when Runcorn took the lead. A mix up in the Bears’ defence allowed Thompson to play an innocuous looking ball between the two centre-backs. Forester made a hash of the clearance, leaving Lamb, on the edge of the area, an open goal in which to fire the visitors into the lead.

The Bears were finding life very difficult under constant harassment from the opposition and fell further behind just ten minutes later. A long throw-in from near the corner flag on the left was cleared away by a defensive header out to Edwards, who was stood ten yards inside the left touchline, some 25 yards from goal. As the ball dropped to him, Towns’ defenders failed to close him down and he unleashed an unstoppable curling shot that sailed over Forester and then dipped into the far side of the net.

Although there were questions over the goalkeepers’ positioning, it didn’t take anything away from the quality of the strike and the Bears really looked up against it. Within three minutes of the restart Lamb had an opportunity to further extend the visitors’ lead, but curled a free-kick narrowly wide from a central position after Lycett had brought down Loughlin.

Congleton settled more into the game in the final few minutes of the half and Hurst almost reduced the deficit when Vickers put in a dangerous looking cross that he could only guide into the arms of the goalkeeper. As the half drew to a close, Runcorn had an effort blocked by Foresters’ legs with Lycett on hand to head the ball away to safety, before a quick break at the other end allowed Hurst to release Williams, cutting in from the left, to hit a powerful shot that Runcorn ‘keeper Holcroft did well to push over with both hands.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 0 Runcorn Linnets 2

For Bears’ manager Buckle, it must have been a difficult half-time talk, but whatever he said it clearly had the desired effect, and the Bears’ emerged a totally different side to the one that had disappointed so badly in the first-half. Within two minutes of the restart, Runcorn’s lead had been cut to just one. The Bears’ forced an early corner and when the ball was cleared, it was quickly played back over the top. Alston reacted quickest and lifted the ball over the advancing ‘keeper to give the Bears hope.

In a complete reversal of fortunes, Congleton dominated the early play and Andy Hurst made some great runs off the ball to stretch the Runcorn defence. That paid dividends as it opened up the centre of the field for Jordan Johnson to exploit and on 55 minutes he was coarsely sandwiched between Loughlin and Thompson as he made a darting run forward, to earn the Bears’ a free-kick in a dangerous position.

Matt Haddrell took responsibility for the kick, which was 25 yards from goal and 5 yards left of the centre-line. In Beckham style the Bears’ marksman curled an unstoppable shot into the top left corner of the goal; the ball glancing in off both the crossbar and the upright, to bring the scores level.

The Bears almost paid the price for thinking that they had done the hard work in getting the scores level. Robinson was twice allowed to carry the ball too far on the left and he had an early effort hit the side netting before a curling 20 yards shot a few moments later sailed narrowly wide of Forester’s far post.

Congleton took the lead on 62 minutes and another free-kick, this time from inside the Bears’ own area, started the move that produced the goal. A long-ball into the box was well controlled by Andy Hurst, who held off his marker to lay the ball out to Keeling on the right. His cross was too deep though, and Williams reacted quickest to recover the ball on the left before it went beyond the dead-ball line. Williams put in a low, measured cross into Hadrell, who was stood 15 yards out with his back to goal. In one deft movement, Hadrell set the ball up and on the turn he crashed the ball high into the net, much to the delight of the home crowd.

Runcorn appeared to be on the ropes at this stage, but to their credit they stuck to their task and were rewarded with an equaliser just six minutes later; although it came much against the run of play. Town’s defence was cleverly undone when a throw-in down by the right corner flag culminated in a two pass move that allowed Thompson to pick the ball up at the near post and fire across Forester and into the far corner.

With the scores tied at three-all, the final twenty minutes were a swashbuckling affair, with play flowing from end to end. Runcorn defender Boden was a tower of strength; first preventing Hurst from getting in on goal and then making a great saving header to prevent Williams’ cross from finding Haddrell in the box. At the other end Loughlin found his way into the referee’s notebook for a blatant dive in the penalty area clearly designed to win the visitors the game. The referee was having none of it and brandished a yellow card, although for a time Bears’ fans hearts were well and truly in their mouths.

In the dying minutes of the game, Williams had a thunderous goal-bound shot parried away by Holcroft and Hadrell headed over from 12 yards, whilst Leighton prevented Runcorn from capitalising on a 3 on 2 advantage, as he cut out the final pass. On the stroke of the final whistle Thompson nearly stole all three points for the visitors as he cut inside from the right, but Lycett was across to get in a great block with ‘keeper Forester exposed.

Team: Forester, Vickers, Leighton, Lycett, Alston A (C), Woolley, Keeling, Johnson, Hurst, Haddrell, Williams.
Subs: Twigg, Harris, Chadwick, Hammond, Buckle.

“COLLIEDOG”

Bears progress in Cup to set up Welsh excursion!

Daisy Hill 0 Congleton Town 4

The E.ON F.A. Cup Extra-Preliminary Round : Saturday 18 August 2007

Congleton Town FC progressed into the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup to face Welsh Unibond First Division South league side Colwyn Bay, after beating opponents Daisy Hill in a game that was not as one sided as the final score-line might suggest.

There were two new faces to welcome as the Bears took to the field. James Jowsey debuted in goal for Paul Forester who was unavailable for selection and Scott Lycett; a former Leicester City reserve player also debuted at centre-back. On the bench Paul ‘Chopper’ Harris also made his first appearance.

The Bears got off to the best possible start, taking the lead after just four minutes. Adam Vickers was allowed space down the right to launch a deep cross into the Daisy Hill box and as the ball dropped onto the six yard line Matt Haddrell was on hand to score with a deft header that was guided past the despairing dive of Hill ‘keeper Moure.

Hynes and Lynch were combining well for the home side and much of Daisy Hill’s better play came through those two individuals with the Bears’ defence having to be alert to the danger that they presented.

Andy Hurst fired over in the tenth minute after Jordan Johnson had whipped in a free-kick and the clearance landed at the feet of the Congleton striker. Collier fired over for the home side after Hynes had once again impressed with one of his dinking runs. However it was Scott Williams who wasted a great opportunity to extend the Bears’ lead midway through the first half. Hurst got up well to head on a long goal-kick which released Williams in on goal with just the ‘keeper to beat, but he fired agonisingly wide of the near post.

Jordan Johnson, playing in a central midfield role was clearly relishing seeing more of the ball. He also impressed in the first half with his touch and movement, although the final ball wasn’t always there when it mattered most. Keeper Moure redeemed himself with a fine block when Hurst was sent through on goal by Johnson and Lycett nearly opened his account in his first game, getting up highest to head goal-wards only to see the ball headed away off the line.

Daisy Hill weren’t without their chances either, and Jowsey had to be quick to recover his position to make a timely block with his legs when Jones looked certain to level the scores on 34 minutes.

The Bears’ good fortune continued though and a dubious penalty decision on the stroke of half-time, allowed Haddrell to record his second from the spot. Hurst went to ground in the box after receiving the ball into feet with Clare in close proximity behind. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the spot-kick though and Haddrell sent Moure the wrong way.

Half-Time: Daisy Hill 0 Congleton Town 2

Daisy Hill started the second half on the offensive and Houghton and Jones had early efforts but neither was able to trouble Jowsey in the Congleton goal. Striker Steve Farrell produced a moment of magic when he received the ball near the dead-ball line and his overhead kick left the Bears defence exposed at the back post, but there was no daisy Hill player on hand either to take advantage.
The result was effectively decided on 62 minutes as the Bears extended their lead even further in rather bizarre circumstances. A free-kick out on the right wing was curled into the box by Johnson and Daisy Hill defender Chadwick looked in no danger as he retreated into his own penalty area to head clear. Inexplicably though, and with no pressure being applied from any Town players, Chadwick casually misjudged his clearance and headed past a bewildered Moure to net an own-goal.

Woolley was replaced by Harris after 64 minutes and Adam Vickers picked up another booking, this time for dissent, just six minutes later. The home side had a free-kick in a central position but the wall did its job and a secondary shot was deflected wide for a corner. Collier also found his way into the record of cautions and several quick substitutions from both sides changed the flow of the game. Twigg replaced Hurst for the Bears and Southwell and Whittaker were introduced for the home side before Town made their final change with ten minutes remaining, Will Leighton coming off for Dan Chadwick.

Harris gave the ball away in a dangerous position with twelve minutes remaining and fortunately for Jowsey, Southwell’s early shot was straight at him. With time running out the Bears made a quick break from the back. When the ball was delivered into the box Twigg rose highest to head goal-wards only to be denied by a fine save from Moure. The luckless ‘keeper though saw the ball deflect off his body and into the path of Haddrell who had the simplest of headers to record his first hat-trick of the season.

In the final minute Daisy Hill nearly recorded a consolation goal but once again Jowsey was on hand to palm the ball over the bar to keep his clean sheet intact. From the resulting corner a shot came in that Hill players thought had been deflected by a handball, although the referee was unmoved and seconds later brought the game to an end. Manager Anthony Buckle commented on how well the new players had fitted in to the team line-up but felt that the team still needed time to gel properly and had on occasions been guilty of messing around with the ball when only one-nil up. Looking forward to the Colwyn Bay tie in a fortnight, Buckle believes that it is a game that Town can go into with a lot of confidence and it’s a game that he feels they are more than capable of winning.

Team: Jowsey, Vickers, Leighton, Lycett, Alston A (C), Woolley, Keeling, Johnson, Hurst, Haddrell, Williams. Subs: Twigg, Harris, Chadwick, Buckle.

“COLLIEDOG”

Bears let two goal lead slip in classic encounter!

Congleton Town 2 Trafford 2

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One : Tues 14 August 2007

Congleton Town FC played hosts to pre-season promotion favourites Trafford at Booth Street on Tuesday night in a game that was preceded by the official switching on of the newly installed floodlights.

With Kevin Hammond unavailable through injury and in the absence of a recognised centre-back to partner captain Andy Alston, Manager Anthony Buckle pulled Matt Haddrell out of his more familiar role in attack to play at the back. Assistant manager Darren Twigg was chosen to partner Andy Hurst up front.

The visitors had the better of the opening minutes with Max Kisseh skipping down the right, cutting inside, but firing well over when two of his colleagues were in better scoring positions. The Bears took the lead against the run of play after just six minutes. A long ball down the right was superbly taken down by Nathan Keeling, beating his marker in the process. Keeling moved the ball forward and put in a cross to the near post. Trafford ‘keeper Tom Read got down to the ball but spilled it into the path of Matt Woolley, who composed himself before rifling the ball into the top left corner of the goal.

Keeling was looking an excellent outlet for the Bears down the right, but likewise Wes Wilkinson, operating down the left for Trafford, was always a danger with the ball at his feet. Chris Mackay nearly brought the two side’s level midway through the first half, with Forester having to parry his shot before scrambling across goal to smother the ball.

An early injury forced Trafford’s Kevin Elvin off the field in the 26th minute and he was replaced by Todd Hayes. Trafford continued to press forward and another Mackay effort and a snap-shot sliced wide by Wilkinson from just ten yards out served as further warning to the Bears.

The penultimate five minute session before half time interval saw the game flow from end-to-end. Jordan Johnson showed some great skill to beat four defenders before putting in a dangerous cross that Read had to get hands too to prevent Twigg from scoring. At the other end Wilkinson skipped past two before being brought down. From the resultant free-kick Mackay curled in a dangerous ball that was met by Wilkinson only to be denied by Forester who recovered well to block the shot with his legs.

In contrast the final five minutes was a quiet affair and Congleton carried their one goal advantage into the half-time break.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 1 Trafford 0

The second half started relatively quietly with Forester having to make the only save of the first five minutes, beating down a weak Wilkinson effort before collecting the ball and clearing downfield. Adam Vickers was the first player to find his way into the referee’s notebook, for a rather callous foul as Trafford looked to play the ball out of defence.

Wilkinson continued to pose problems down the left and once again cut in from the wing to test Forester from range. Kisseh was cautioned on 60 minutes for dissent, after conceding a free-kick for a late challenge on Johnson.

Leigh Skellern replaced Keeling three minutes later with the diminutive Bears’ striker being pushed into attack and Johnson moving over to the right wing. The three pronged attack of Hurst, Twigg and Skellern seemed to have won the game for the Bears when they extended their lead on 65 minutes. Scott Williams fell victim to a late challenge from Scott Smith as he raced down the left touchline. The Bears’ winger picked up a booking for his retaliation though, which was more befitting of a Greco-Roman wrestler. Williams swung in the free-kick and Twigg was on hand to bundle the ball over the line with the Trafford defence motionless.

Dion Depeiaza replaced Mackay for the visitors and for a five minute spell the Bears looked in control of the game. Fortunes were to soon change though as Wilkinson was allowed to carry the ball inside and avoid three Town defenders before slotting the ball wide of Forester and restore the hope that Trafford could take something from the game.

Andy Lundy was introduced into the fray for the visitors and almost inevitably the substitute would provide the equaliser just two minutes after taking to the field. The Bears conceded a corner on the left and a deep ball in dropped on the edge of the box level with the back post. An embarrassingly wide effort at goal from there found the corner taker once again. This time the delivery was to the near post where Lundy was on hand to prod the ball home from three yards.

With the visitors now looking the more likely to steal victory, Buckle threw Dan Chadwick into the back-line and withdrew Woolley from midfield. The expected onslaught never came though and it seemed that Trafford took their foot off the gas once parity had been restored. It was in fact the Bears who finished the game off the stronger of the two sides. Vickers carried the ball forward down the right before putting in a ball down the inside right channel to Andy Hurst, who had time to steady himself before whipping in a cross that was cleared behind for a corner.

Despite heaping on the pressure in the final five minutes the Bears could not find a way through and as frustrations started to show both Chadwick and Twigg picked up unnecessary bookings for late tackles. The final whistle brought to an end a most entertaining game and one that the Bears would have been disappointed not to have capitalised on their good fortune, with Trafford seeing much more of the ball, especially in the earlier stages of the game.

Team: Forester, Vickers, Leighton, Haddrell, Alston A (C), Woolley, Keeling, Johnson, Hurst, Twigg, Williams. Subs: Chadwick, Buckle, Skellern, Kirby, Banawich.

“COLLIEDOG”

Bears come up short in season opener!

Squires Gate 2 Congleton Town 0

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One : Sat 11 August 2007

The Bears travelled to Squires Gate for their opening fixture of the new season last Saturday. Manager Anthony Buckle was forced into taking a skeleton squad to the game, with eight players unavailable either due to holidays or suspensions. Nevertheless, after a promising pre-season the travelling fans were hopeful that the team could get off to a winning start.

Congleton started the game on the offensive, creating a chance as early as the first minute that ended with a shot into the side netting. Squires Gate broke back two minutes later when Hibbert ran on to a through-ball and lifted the ball over Forester but also well wide of the goal. In the early exchanges the game flowed from end to end. Hadrell, Alston and Williams all had opportunities for the Bears, whilst Wolliscroft and Hankin both had shots at the other end, with Forester making a smart save down to his left from the latter.

Twenty-five minutes into the game Congleton had one of their best chances of the half when they were awarded an indirect free-kick in a central position some 25 yards from goal. Johnson laid the ball across to Woolley who hit a curling effort that narrowly cleared the crossbar.

With the home side opting to break on the counter-attack the Bears were seeing plenty of the ball in front of the Squires Gate defence, but were struggling to unlock it. On 38 minutes Haddrell appeared to have found some space behind the last defender, after some neat work from Skellern out on the right, but his shot was uncharacteristically dragged across the face of goal.

One noticeable thing was that Squires Gate were a physically taller team in almost every area and that nearly proved costly for the Bears on the stroke of half-time when Chadwick had to be on hand to head away off the line from a corner kick headed on from the near post.

Half-Time: Squires Gate 0 Congleton Town 0

That incident late on in the first half spurred on the home side and they created two early chances in the second-half with the side netting coming into play again on one occasion. Meanwhile the Bears were being further frustrated by their opponents dogged defence and commendable work ethic.

Hammond was the first to let his frustration show as he put in a late challenge on Irlam that earned him a yellow card. That was after 53 minutes and the resultant free-kick gave warning of what was to come as Hankin headed on at the near post only to find no-one taking he gamble at the back-post.

A minute later, some good movement from the Bears finally broke through the home side’s defence and Williams shot from 15 yards out forcing a good save out of Gate’s ‘keeper Yeomans who parried the ball away to his left to safety.

The breakthrough for Squires Gate came in the 56th minute. A soft free-kick was given away in a dangerous position and an excellent delivery allowed Hibbert to use his height advantage to full effect, getting up above everyone to head the ball downwards before it bounced high into the roof of the net.

Somewhat strangely the Bears themselves reverted to a long ball game that further played into the strengths of the opposition. On the occasions when the ball was passed along the ground it caused more problems for the home side. Haddrell had an effort at the near post blocked off the line and Skellern cut in from the right wing and fired in a shot from just outside the penalty area that Yeomans did well to palm over the crossbar.

As the game entered the final ten minutes the Bears had to throw players forward in search of an equaliser. That left the defence more exposed and a quick break by the home side resulted in another foul in a similar position to the one that had bought about the first goal. On this occasion though Hibbert drew the defence into the near post and Hankin stole in behind to head the ball powerfully past an exposed Forester to put the result beyond doubt.

The referee’s whistle brought the game to an end and one that had proved very disappointing in terms of the tactics employed that played into the opposition’s strengths. Manager Anthony Buckle recognised that the team had underperformed on the day, but believed that the team would have learnt something from the experience that would make them a stronger outfit in games to come.

Team: Forester, Chadwick, Leighton, Hammond, Alston A (C), Woolley, Skellern, Johnson, Haddrell, Hurst, Williams.
Subs: Banawich, Kirby, Twigg, Buckle.

“COLLIEDOG”