Poor away form continues in atrocious conditions!

Glossop North End 3 Congleton Town 0

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One

Congleton travelled to Surrey Street to take on Glossop North End, who currently hold the honour of being ranked as the best home side in the league. With the Bears’ away record a mere shadow of their own impressive home form, it was always going to be a stern test for them.

Manager, Anthony Buckle, was without the services of leading goal-scorer Matt Haddrell, who may have suffered broken ribs in the clash against Flixton, and could be out for the next few weeks. On a brighter note, the team welcomed back Scott Lycett who returned following a brief spell with Halesowen Town. Lycett, usually a central defender or midfielder, had to be called on to deputise in attack as the Bears looked to beef up their front-line in the big man’s absence.

The playing surface was heavily striated from the work done earlier in the week to make it playable, although there was little by way of grass on the majority of the surface. Nevertheless, the surface seemed sound enough and both sides warmed up on it without any apparent problems.

Congleton took the game to their opponents in the early minutes. Lycett, operating down the right early on, held off his marker to deliver a decent cross into the box that Kelvin Lugsden was well positioned to head away. Glossop moved the ball up-field quickly and forced a corner that was dealt with easily.

The home side had the first real goal-scoring opportunity after just six minutes. Acton was rather fortunate to see the ball break to him on the left edge of the six yard box after Hamilton’s shot had been deflected in a crowded penalty area, but Heeps got down well to parry his near post shot.

The main theme for the first half was that of the home side winning corners when going forward and conceding free-kicks when on the retreat. The travelling Bears’ fans were frustrated though by their side’s inability to make the set-plays count and Fielding, in the Glossop goal, was rarely troubled. Heeps on the other hand was being kept much more active as Glossop began to take control of the game.

On 17 minutes no-one picked up Acton on the left as Glossop broke forward and he clipped the ball over the crossbar as Heeps came out to close him down. A minute later Acton and Morris combined well from a throw-in deep into Bears’ territory and a speculative shot cleared Heeps, but clipped the crossbar on its way out of play. Then on 22 minutes, Jardine had to make an excellent tackle at full stretch to force Hamilton wide when seemingly through on goal.

As the previously inactive dark clouds overhead now opened, the wind strengthened, blowing directly with the home side. A high ball caused some immediate panic in the Congleton defence and Alston headed the ball high into the air; the wind carrying in back towards goal where Heeps had to back-pedal to collect the ball on the line under pressure from Morris.

Congleton’s best opportunity of the half came from a free-kick, left of centre and approximately 22 yards out from goal. Johnson curled the ball over the wall but too close to Fielding who pushed the ball away with both hands.

The home side eventually took the lead with five minutes remaining in the half. Morris and Hamilton combined well down the right to carve open the Bears’ defence and a near post ball was met almost simultaneously by defender and attacker. Glossop striker Kieron Lugsden got the telling touch though and the ball arrowed goal-wards, beyond Heeps desperate dive, and went in off the inside of the post.

Congleton almost equalised with a minute left. Andy Hurst chased a long ball forward and forced Young to clear behind for a corner. Johnson floated the ball into the centre of the penalty area where Alston appeared unmarked, eight yards out, for a free header that he misguided over the bar.

Half-Time: Glossop North End 1 Congleton Town 0

Although disappointed to be trailing at half-time Congleton had acquitted themselves well enough in the first half without creating too many clear-cut opportunities. Glossop had certainly looked the more dangerous going forward, especially on the break where they committed plenty of men forward. On emerging for the second-half though, the Bears’ must have believed the elements were conspiring against them as the wind had done a full 180 degree turn and the rain was now beginning to fall with real purpose.

The visitors started brightly enough though and forced an early corner that caused a scramble in the Glossop penalty area before Vickers’ cross was cleared away. The decisive turning point in the game came soon after though as Hurst was bundled to the ground in the penalty area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. In the absence of regular taker Haddrell, Matt Woolley assumed responsibility for the spot-kick, only to see Fielding guess correctly and make a fine save to his left.

The penalty miss drained much of the confidence from the side, whilst providing an excellent boost for the home side. Such was their confidence that from the Bears’ next foray into Glossop territory, Young picked up the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, took the ball the full length of the pitch before chipping over the bar as he entered the Bears’ 18 yard box.

With the Bears’ attack seemingly off target; Johnson firing wide when presented with an excellent chance at the near post, it was no surprise when Glossop doubled their lead in the 62nd minute. A long ball was played into the box where Hamilton was able to collect unchallenged. Moving the ball to the outside and then back inside, he forced Alston to commit himself too quickly and opened up space to curl the ball wide of Heeps and into the far corner.

Midway through the half, Congleton created two decent goal-scoring chances in quick succession. A quick passing move allowed Bostock space on the left to cut the ball across goal only for Hurst to touch the ball wide from six yards. Then a minute later Vickers played an in-swinging ball into the box, to find Hurst once more. This time the Bears’ striker was unfortunate as his goal-bound shot deflected off defender Lugsden and straight into Fielding’s arms.

Petrie and Nesbitt were replaced after 70 minutes, with Twigg and Harris looking to provide that extra bit going forward as the manager looked to salvage something from the game. The continued heavy rain had by now turned the Surrey Street pitch into a veritable quagmire, but Glossop appeared to have the solution, marauding forward with the ball at every opportunity as tackling conditions became rather treacherous; Bostock being the first to fall foul of the conditions and enter the referee’s notebook.

With ten minutes remaining Vickers hit a rasping shot from the edge of the penalty area that audibly took a deflection off Fielding’s gloves, only for the referee to award a goal-kick. Acton was then replaced by Lunt, with the departing Glossop winger getting a great reception from the appreciative home crowd.

The home side were dominating the game by this stage, as the result of the game was virtually beyond doubt. Alston had to produce a dramatic diving header over his own crossbar to stop Hamilton’s cross finding Lunt in the closing stages. However his efforts were in vain as Glossop found a third goal right at the death. Once again strong running had the Bears’ defence backing off and a ball out to the left was fed back into striker Lugsden. His shot squirmed underneath Heeps’ body and the Glossop front-man was able to hurdle the Congleton keeper and slide the ball into an unguarded net.

It was an emphatic victory for the home side that justified their place at the top of the home form tables. For the Bears’ it was another potentially costly weak performance away from home. Whilst the absence of Haddrell was a major factor, the Bears had enough talent on the pitch to cope with that and had clearly shown previously that they were capable of doing so. Although the pitch and weather conditions were not conducive to a neat passing style of football favoured by the Bears, they were the same for both sides and Glossop clearly adapted to them better and seemingly revelled in them much more than their opponents.

Team: Heeps, Vickers, Bostock, Jardine, Alston (C), Nesbitt, Petrie, Woolley, Hurst, Lycett, Johnson.
Subs: Harris, Twigg, Biegus, Banawich.

“COLLIEDOG”

Nothing to choose between sides in 0-0 stalemate!

Congleton Town 0 Flixton 0

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One ; Saturday 1st March 2008

There was a huge buzz of anticipation around Booth Street prior to the game against 5th placed Flixton, following the Bears’ demolition of Maine Road in mid-week. The game itself was dedicated to the memory of a long-time servant and supporter of the Club, Mr. Ken Barlow who passed away recently. This coincided with the match being sponsored by over 50 individuals as John Cope and friends were partnered by Roy Campbell and a host of ex-Bears for a player’s re-union. Amongst the attendee’s on the day was former Rangers and Liverpool legend Willie Stevenson who was commandeered to make the man of the Match presentations after the game.

Manager Anthony Buckle was forced to make a change in his defensive line-up with Jay Banawich replacing the suspended Andy Bostock. Otherwise it was an unchanged side from Tuesday’s game with Jamie Petrie and John-Paul Jones welcomed back onto the substitutes bench. They faced a Flixton side 5th only to the Bear’s on goal difference and sporting a new goalkeeper by way of Andy Robertson, who had made a name for himself with his pie-flipping antics in the recent game at Salford City.

The Bears made a great start to the game, following the same pattern of neat passing play that had bamboozled Maine Road and they created a number of chances early on to take the lead. Matt Haddrell headed over in the third minute after Steve Jardine had headed on an Andy Alston free-kick. Haddrell was involved again a minute later as he showed impeccable ball control before laying the ball off to Jordan Johnson. He fed the ball back to Banawich who put in a great ball that narrowly evaded Andy Hurst’s run into the box; the ball running through to Robertson.

The best chance though fell to Johnson in the sixth minute. Paul Harris floated in a cross from a free-kick out on the left touchline. Haddrell rose to head back across goal and Andy Alston headed down from the opposite side into Johnson. The ball fell slightly behind the Congleton midfield maestro and on the turn he scooped the ball high over the bar, much to his, and the Bears’ supporters, disappointment.

Haddrell shot wide from long range after nine minutes and Carl Nesbitt failed to make the best of his opportunity as he burst through the centre two minutes later. He was involved again a minute later as he put a quick free-kick into Hurst’s path only for Ayres to be alert to the danger and make a telling block as Hurst shot towards goal.

The first signs of attacking effort from the visitors came after thirteen minutes when Holt scooted down the right touchline and put in a telling cross that the Bears’ defence defended well. It was service as usual though and the Bears were creating half-chances at will. Nesbitt curled an effort from the edge of the penalty area narrowly wide.

Congleton appeared to tire after their fruitless endeavours in the opening twenty minutes and the game became very scrappy as both sides struggled to keep possession. The visitors took advantage of the loose play and Downey went close; his shot taking a big deflection into the ground before rolling harmlessly through to Heeps. Banawich then had to be alert to dispossess Traynor as he threatened to get away down the right.

The Bears were having to work hard now for their chances. Harris and Nesbitt combined from a throw-in; Harris delivering the return ball into the near post where Hurst hit a looping shot that had Robertson scrambling; the Flixton keeper grateful to see the ball drop behind.

That was quickly followed by a chance at the other end as the Bears’ defence backed off Holt, who hit a scorching shot from range that cannoned back out off the post, with Heeps stranded. Flixton were clearly revelling in the extra space they were being given, much to the annoyance of Buckle and Twigg on the sidelines.

Hurst had shouts for a penalty waved away by the referee when a poor back-pass left Robertson in trouble and he seemed to dive in feet-first on Hurst to put the Congleton striker off his shot. The referee shook his head though and Flixton were back on the break. A cross into the edge of the Bears penalty area looked to pose no danger as Heeps shouted for his defence to leave the ball. However, the normally safe hands of Heeps fumbled the ball directly to Hargreaves, who took amoment to steady himself for the shot. That gave Heeps chance to recover some ground and he parried away Hargreaves effort and the ball was cleared to safety.

The final action of the first half saw Nesbitt attempt another curling shot to the far post; this time he brought the best out of Robertson as he dived full length to his right and got fingertips to the ball to deflect it around the post. Holt received the first caution of the afternoon, just prior to the half-time whistle, for persistent dissent as he constantly questioned the referee’s decisions.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 0 Flixton 0

If there had been some action to warm the cockles of the spectator’s hearts in the first half, the first half-hour of the second was unable to live up to expectations. Right from the restart the game descended into a cagey battle, compressed into the midfield third and chances were few and far between.

One such chance fell to Johnson, who went for goal from a free-kick some 25 yards out from goal. His curling effort had Robertson at full stretch, but the ball went just wide. That was after 58 minutes and the Bears made their first substitution a minute later as Harris was replaced by Petrie.

A further minute passed and Flixton were presented with the best chance of the game. A harmless looking high ball caused problems when Alston and Heeps left the ball for one another and Holt almost took advantage, stealing in to prod the ball narrowly wide with the goal at his mercy.

Bayliss picked up the second booking for the visitors on 62 minutes and although Alston headed the ball into the box powerfully against the crossbar, the assistant’s flag was already raised for offside. Three minutes later Hurst latched onto a ball into the penalty area, but he could only flick the ball directly into Robertson’s arms.

The action picked up again with 17 minutes remaining as both sides realised that a goal now could easily prove to be the winner. A Congleton throw-in was directed into Johnson, who returned the ball to Vickers. A neat chip forward found Petrie advancing into the penalty area from the right, but his attempt was directed straight at Robertson. Vickers tried a long range effort when the Flixton defence backed off, but the shot sailed high and wide.

In Congleton’s next attack Johnson appeared to be obstructed inside the penalty area as he tried to turn his marker; eventually going to ground, but any claims for a penalty were muffled and the referee waved them away.
Flixton won two consecutive corners with ten minute remaining; on the second occasion the ball was played short and Hargreaves was given far too much room as the Congleton defence dropped back. A looping shot had Heeps scrambling and Bears’ fan’s hearts in their mouths as it narrowly cleared the crossbar and dropped behind the goal.

With Flixton now looking the more physical of the two sides, a clash between Smith and Haddrell left the Congleton striker prostrate on the ground, holding his side in agony. Unable to continue he was immediately replaced by Biegus, who was making his first appearance for the Bears since his sending off in ugly circumstances in the home defeat to Bacup.

Both sides effectively shut up shop in the closing minutes as they appeared to settle for a point. There was one final moment of hilarity when the referee awarded a free-kick to Flixton in a dangerous position on the edge of the Bears’ penalty area. It took several calls from the watching crowd to eventually draw his attention to the assistant’s flag, which had been raised and dropped on several occasions to indicate an offside prior to the foul.

An uneventful final five minutes were played out and the referee seemed as keen as the supporters to bring the match to a conclusion as temperatures dropped and he played no added time at the end of the game.

Team: Heeps, Vickers, Banawich, Jardine, Alston A (C), Nesbitt, Harris, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Johnson.
Subs: Twigg, Petrie, Biegus, JP Jones.

“COLLIEDOG”

Bears’ revenge tastes sweet as honey!

Congleton Town 3 Maine Road 0

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One : Tuesday 26 February 2008

The Bears put in their performance of the season to defeat in-form Maine Road at Booth Street on Tuesday night. It was a victory build on team-work and collective effort that kept their opponents on the back foot for the majority of the game and keeps the Bears’ faint hopes of promotion well and truly alive.

The manager was able to name an unchanged side from the one that recorded a 6-0 away victory at Atherton LR the previous Saturday, with Stuart Heeps keeping his place in goal. Jamie Petrie returned to the fold, after a period with Connahs Quay and Knutsford, and was named on the bench.

The opening minutes actually saw the visitors take the game to Congleton and a couple of crosses into the penalty area were well defended. From a long clearance Matt Haddrell held off a strong challenge to feed Andy Hurst, who in turn put a diagonal ball through to Jordan Johnson. Unfortunately the hat-trick hero of Saturday was well off target with his first strike of the game. In an open, end-to-end, start Kierney then drilled the ball well wide from 25 yards out, when he was released down the right.

The Bears then upped the pressure on the visitor’s back-four, leaving them little time on the ball. This forced a number of hasty clearances that gifted possession back to the home side. When they had possession though, Congleton were passing the ball around in front of the Maine Road defence, without finding the killer ball. There only half chance in the tenth minute came when Haddrell was restricted to an effort from the edge of the penalty area that flew across the face of goal.

Town were looking sharp and the opening goal came in the 14th minute. Haddrell continued to harry Mason and blocked the defenders attempted clearance. The ball ran for the Congleton hit-man and he carried the ball inside the penalty area before firing low and hard across keeper Hall and into the far side of the net.

Congleton could have doubled their lead just three minutes later when Hurst raced past Rogers, as the defender slipped. There was defensive cover though and with Haddrell and Johnson waiting in the middle Hurst’s cross from the bye-line was blocked behind for a corner. Hall, commanding his box from aerial crosses as usual, collected and delivered the ball out quickly to McGee. He made a strong run towards goal before Andy Alston halted his progress as he stepped across him, earning a harsh yellow card in the process.

The visitors forays into Congleton territory were sporadic, but the combination of Mack and former Bear Chris Smith still posed a threat. Smith headed for goal as he met a cross from the right that Jardine misjudged, but Heeps was down smartly to his right to smother the ball. At the other end, Hall was proving equally proficient as he got down well to deny Carl Nesbitt’s thunderbolt drive from 20 yards out.

On the half-hour the Bears spurned an excellent chance to extend their lead. Haddrell showed excellent ball-control under pressure from a throw-in near the bye-line. As the ball was cut back, Nesbitt slipped at the crucial moment when he had a clear sight of goal; McGee was sliding in from the left which may have just distracted him as he shaped to take the shot.

McGregor picked up the first yellow card for the visitors when he clumsily took out Johnson as he attempted to latch onto a return ball from a one-two with Nesbitt. Johnson floated the ball into the box where Haddrell was well positioned to head the ball back across goal. Hurst and Mason went for the ball together and Hurst was clearly having his shirt pulled but the referee awarded a free-kick the other way as Hurst was leaning on.

Maine Road had the better of the final ten minutes of the half without really threatening the home sides’ goal. Under pressure Town were guilty of giving the ball away too easily as they ignored the calls of time and regularly punted the ball up-field to clear their lines. Heeps was called into action once again as Congleton conceded a free-kick on the edge of the area and Mack curled the ball into the near post but could not find a way past the experienced keeper.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 1 Maine Road 0

With just one goal separating the sides at half-time, it seemed that there was all to play for at the second half got underway. Some fans were still heading back to their vantage points when the Bears took an immediate hold of the game and scored their second goal within seconds of the re-start. A throw-in, level with the edge of the visitor’s penalty area, was launched into the box by Alston. Haddrell was competing for the ball at the near post and flicked the ball on with his head. Hurst, shepherded by two defenders was making his run into the six yard box and the ball fell to him just three-yards out and he calmly turned the ball past the unsighted Hall to double the home sides’ lead.

The goal clearly rocked the Bears’ opposition and a neat, four pass move, carved open their defence just a few minutes later and Nesbitt was allowed to run at the defence and shoot from the edge of the area, but straight into the grateful arms of Hall. Moments later Matt Haddrell picked up a yellow card, as the referee indicated four or five areas where he had committed small, but insignificant fouls.

Adam Vickers was given the opportunity to get forward and was involved in two great moves, either of which could have led to a Bears’ third. The first chance came as he delayed his pass into the penalty area and then put a great ball into the box, receiving the ball back and shooting straight at Hall. In the second move, he spotted Hurst’s diagonal run across the penalty area and continued his run as Hurst deftly back-heeled the ball back into his path. Aware of his recent shooting exploits he this time chose to curl in a cross which split the defenders and the keeper, but found no Congleton player making the run behind the defence.

That forced the visitors into a double substitution with Jay and Beckford making way for Cheetham and Jones. Jones in particular seemed to have an impact on the visitor’s play as he made use ofhis speed and agility to get at the Bears’ defence. Having just received the plaudits for his fine efforts going forward, Vickers would have been less than happy to become the third Congleton player to get booked as he unfairly prevented Jones from breaking away down the left.

The game then went quiet for a period of twenty minutes as both sides seemed to settle; the Bears happy to sit on their lead and Maine Road afraid to commit too many forward in fear of being hit on the counter. Hurst had penalty shouts waved away by the referee as he looked to turn in the box only to go down under a clumsy challenge. The visitors then made their final change after 65 minutes with McGregor replaced by Marshall. Three minutes later Vickers made way for Petrie with Harris dropping to right-back.

With fifteen minutes remaining Maine Road had three half chances as Marshall shot wide from range and then there were shouts against Congleton for a penalty as Alston blocked an overhead kick when his hands appeared raised in protection. Smith then blazed wide after making room for the shot, much to the amusement of the Bears’ supporters.

The Bears then took control for the remainder of the game. Petrie firing wide and Hurst looking to have broken clean through only to get the ball caught underneath his boot which gave two defenders chance to close him down and clear the danger. Nesbitt did break through with four minutes left and had both Hurst and Haddrell waiting for the cross, with the goal at their mercy only to watch in despair as he put the ball in too close to Hall.

The final goal came in the 89th minute when Johnson was the victim of a late challenge inside the area as he flicked the ball past the defender. Haddrell, who had fired narrowly over seconds earlier after spotting Hall off his line, was given the chance to cement his place at the top of the scoring charts and duly obliged from the spot, sending the ball high to Hall’s left and into the top corner.

After the game, coach and club physio Andy Ratcliffe was delighted with the performance. “The lads had a bit of a roasting before the game kicked off, as when the manager arrived they were messing about instead of getting on with their warm-up routines. That seemed to steel them from the off. It’s a great dressing room though, there are no little cliques going on and everyone is fighting for the cause. The idea is to win every remaining game and then see what happens.”

Steve Jardine, the most recent addition to the back four was equally pleased. “I think we played really well and the defence worked hard as a unit. There were a couple of times when we were lucky with the run of the ball, but overall, great teamwork in defence kept us a second consecutive clean-sheet.”

Team: Heeps, Vickers, Bostock, Jardine, Alston A (C), Nesbitt, Harris, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Johnson.
Subs: Banawich, Twigg, Swann, Petrie.

“COLLIEDOG”

Town hit opponents for six!

Atherton L.R. 0 Congleton Town 6

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League - Division One : Saturday 23 February 2008

The Bears travelled to a cold and windy Crilly Park on Saturday to face an Atherton L.R. side that has been playing well of late without any great reward. A failure to take their chances in front of goal has cost them dear all too often as they have failed to keep sides out at the other end. Congleton on the other hand were just emerging from a shaky patch that had seen them lose four of their last six games before putting St. Helens to the sword last week.

Congleton were without the services of regular keeper Adam Wilkes and Stuart Heeps deputised once again. That was the solitary change from the starting line-up against St. Helens, and on the bench, manager Anthony Buckle named himself amongst the substitutes.

Atherton chose to play against the slope on the Crilly Park pitch, but were helped by the prevailing wind which blew directly behind them. In the early exchanges, Atherton used the wind to their advantage and Congleton struggled to clear their lines. A number of high balls played into the box were dealt with comfortably by the Bears’ defence, although they had to concede a number of corners. Fortunately, there seemed little by way of an aerial threat in the Atherton side and the corners were dealt with by the height of Alston and Jardine.

The home side had their first sight of goal after 6 minutes when Bostock was left exposed, with Tilley running at him and Morris providing an outlet. Bostock was forced to back off as he was caught in two minds which allowed Tilley to hit a rasping shot that Heeps did well to parry behind.

Congleton looked much more threatening when they got the ball on the floor and passed it about, unlocking the Atherton defence more easily than with hopeful high balls launched forward. Johnson, Haddrell and Hurst were combining well, with Harris, Woolley and Nesbitt supporting from midfield, but just the final ball seemed to be missing when it mattered most.

With the Bears playing mainly on the counter, there were muted shouts for a penalty on 18 minutes when Carl Nesbitt curled a cross into the box and Spurling looked to have deflected the ball away from Hurst with an arm. The referee deemed it ball-to-hand though and waved away the claims.

Atherton were having the majority of the possession in the first half, but seemed unable to do anything decisive with it. The Bears’ opening goal came somewhat against the run of play on another counter-attack in the 20th minute. Quick, neat passing play found Hurst on the edge of the penalty area with his back to goal, but he was able to turn on the ball and dink an accurate pass into the path of Johnson, who was running between the two centre-backs. As Clare in the Rovers goal advanced, Johnson curled his shot beyond his outstretched arm and inside the far post to give the visitors the lead.

Stunned by suddenly finding themselves a goal behind, Atherton were helpless to prevent the Bears from doubling their lead within a minute. Johnson drew two defenders with him, which opened up a large gap in the centre for Hurst to exploit; picking up a neat through-ball and side-footing the ball home despite Clare’s best efforts to push the ball beyond the post with his left hand.

Atherton could have been forgiven for folding once they had gone two down. Instead, it galvanised the team who were determined to keep themselves in the game, and to try and make better use of the possession they had enjoyed inside the Bears’ half. Two corners in quick succession had the Congleton defence struggling to clear; which they eventually did, incurring the wrath of their manager in the process.

The sides exchange chances just after the half-hour; Clare saving bravely at the feet of Johnson as he ran beyond the Atherton defence once more, and Congleton lost their shape leaving Mannion in acres of space on the left, which he exploited sending Spurling into the box, only for Steve Jardine to get in a timely block as the shot came in. Adam Vickers, picking up the ball in the inside right position, then watched his shot from 20 yards roll narrowly wide of Clare’s right-hand upright, with the Atherton keeper diving at full length across goal.

Matt Haddrell inexplicably picked up a yellow card for jumping into an opponent, whilst Atherton captain Derefaka roused his troops for the last five minutes of the first half, sensing that a goal would instantly change his sides’ fortunes. Rovers were twice denied that goal in the closing minutes of the first half as Alston made a timely block as Morris threatened to break clear and from the resultant corner Heeps was at full stretch to tip a header from Norman over the bar.

Half-Time: Atherton L.R. 0 Congleton Town 2

Despite being two goals to the good, Town might have considered their half-time lead somewhat precarious as Atherton continued to have the majority of the possession in the first half. The start of the second half would not ease their worries, as the home side, now playing with the slope, went at them again from the restart. Heeps saved well at his near post from a Morris shot and then tipped another effort over the bar from short range.

If Heeps’ heroics were keeping Congleton’s lead intact, Clare at the other end was equally proficient in preventing Haddrell from further extending the Bears’ lead; making a fine one handed save to push a top-corner bound free-kick over the bar. Atherton broke quickly from the corner clearance and Quirk took on Bostock for pace but could only fire wide of the near post.

Congleton’s second booking seemed less believable than their first when Andy Bostock was cautioned for sliding in and playing the ball as Hope waited for the ball to reach him. Andy Alston then showed his true worth as he made a goal-saving tackle to prevent Quirk from getting in a shot with Mannion waiting for the ball to be squared.

On 62 minutes the home side made their first change of the game as Tilley was replaced by Callaghan. That change was countered two minutes later as Harris was replaced by Banawich for Congleton, with Johnson moving to the right.

The change certainly paid dividends for the Bears as three goals inside three minutes sealed the outcome of the game and left Atherton reeling. The first goal came on 69 minutes as Congleton stopped relying on the prevailing wind and got the ball back on the floor. A neat three-pass interchange ended with Nesbitt clean-through on goal with just Clare to beat. A low shot to the keeper’s left gave Clare no chance as the ball nestled into the bottom corner of the net.

The second goal came from a poor Rovers’ pass that was intercepted inside the Bears’ own half. Nesbitt picked out the run of Hurst to the right and Johnson cutting inside Hurst ran right into the path of the Congleton striker’s neat back-heel. With a clear path to goal, Johnson took the ball inside the area and slotted the ball past Clare into the far corner, just as a late sliding challenge took him down and left him rolling around in agony as he was caught in a delicate area.

Congleton’s fifth came a minute later when a corner on the right was floated in and Clare pushed the ball out to Haddrell on the edge of the box. His attempted shot was deflected into the path of Hurst, who buried the ball into the ground and over the keeper from eight yards out, to record his second of the game.

On 76 minutes Woolley made way for Swann for the Bears, and the home side made a double substitution, bringing on Chinn and Sherlock. Heeps was desperate to keep his clean-sheet intact and made another splendid save at the near post to deny Quirk, who shot on the turn from six yards after the ball had fallen to him from an Atherton corner. Vickers then came to his rescue as the second corner was headed goal-wards by Norman; the Congleton full-back heading clear off the line.

Clare denied Haddrell once again on 82 minutes as the Bears’ hit-man rose highest to head goal-wards from a Johnson free-kick; the Atherton keeper getting a late hand to the ball to tip it over the bar. It was then time for manager Anthony Buckle to make a six minute cameo appearance with the result well beyond doubt. With five minutes remaining, Clare made another save to prevent Haddrell from recording his name on the score-sheet; pushing his 18 yard drive high and wide.

The Bears scored their sixth goal in the time added on at the end of the game. With the Atherton defence in tatters following a twenty minute barrage from the Bears, they were defenceless to prevent Johnson from recording his first hat-trick for the Club. A visionary Nesbitt ball picked out Haddrell running the inside right channel and he held off the attentions of his marker before turning the ball across goal into the centre where Johnson was unmarked to turn the ball in from eight yards out.

There has to be a certain amount of sympathy for an Atherton side that were on the end of a heavy defeat despite having long periods of possession. Having created several openings, they will have learnt a valuable lesson from the clinical finishing of their opponents. For the Bears, it was a confidence boosting away win and a display of dogged defending that kept their opponents at bay.

Team: Heeps, Vickers, Bostock, Jardine, Alston (C), Nesbitt, Harris, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Johnson.
Subs: Banawich, Twigg, Swann, Buckle.

“COLLIEDOG”

Haddrell hat-trick helps Bears beat spirited Saints!

Congleton Town 5 St. Helens Town 2

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One – Saturday 16th February

Booth Street played host to St. Helens Town on Saturday as Congleton looked to get their season back on track following four defeats in the last six games. It’s a happy hunting ground for the Saints though, who have won seven of their last eleven encounters as visitors and their relatively lowly table position has not been indicative of a side that traditionally causes problems for the Bears.

Former Bears, Iain Dyson and Adie Reilly made up the centre-back pairing for the visitors and Andy Alston was the only name on the Congleton team-sheet who had started the last encounter between the two sides back in October 2006, when Andy Hurst was named on the bench. Hurst has established himself as a starting striker these days and his partnership with Matt Haddrell leads the NWCFL. Matt Swann stepped up from the reserves to take a place on the bench and debutant Ollie Edwards’ brief Bears’ career lasted just one game as he returned to Leek Town. Paul Harris was restored to the side to play on the right with Jordan Johnson switched to the left.

The referee wasted no time in getting the game started after the players took to the field, which left some supporters still finding their vantage points by the time the first goal went in. Timed at just 15 seconds, the ball went out to the right where there was a quick interchange of passes before Harris delivered the ball into the penalty area. Matt Haddrell hit his first time shot on the turn from fifteen yards out and the ball cannoned off the underside of the crossbar, bounced back out, but was then cruelly deflected back into the net off the back of Saints ‘keeper Leather.

Supporters had no sooner drawn breath and settled into their seats and the scores were level again. Saints made a probing attack down their right and a casual clearance by the Bears defence allowed them to pick up possession in a dangerous position. Whyte ran straight at the heart of the Bears defence and he took a tumble inside the penalty area as an outstretched leg tried to deny him a shooting opportunity. The referee awarded the penalty and Jones stepped up to drive the ball high down the centre line with Wilkes committed to his right.

Having been pegged back so quickly, Congleton went back on the offensive, utilising Johnson as the main outlet down the left and Hurst making darting runs to pull the Saints’ defence around. It wasn’t long before the tactic paid off. After 8 minutes Johnson broke down the left, checked back and laid the ball off to Bostock. His ball down the line picked out Hurst’s run brilliantly and the Bears’ striker took on the full-back for pace; beating him easily and firing in a low cross to the near post where Haddrell was on hand to turn the ball into the roof of the net from four yards out.

Congleton were passing the ball around nicely and it seemed that St. Helens had nothing to combat Hurst’s pace, or Johnson’s trickery. The Bears won a corner and Johnson delivered the ball into the danger area on the six-yard line where Steve Jardine headed goal-wards, only to see Webster head clear from his position on the back post. The ball dropped directly to the feet of Haddrell and he fired an unstoppable drive high into the centre of the goal to record his hat-trick inside16 minutes.

St. Helens were not out of it though and Whyte blasted over from 15 yards out after a free-kick was cleared back into his path. Congleton then created two great chances to further extend their lead before there was a strange turnaround in how the teams fared. Firstly, Johnson broke clear and fired narrowly wide across goal before Hurst was sent one-on-one with the Saint’s goalkeeper only to pull out of the challenge at the last minute.

Two corners in quick succession had the Bears defence at sixes and sevens and that spurred on their opponents, who then dominated the remaining seventeen minutes of play in the half. There was an early success for them when they scored their second goal on 33 minutes. The goal came from another corner into the back-post. Wilkes spilled the ball under pressure and Davies was well placed to fire home from 12 yards to bring his side back within one.

Congleton had to survive a few more scares in front of their own goal and were forced to play on the break. Matt Woolley went marauding through the centre of the Saints’ midfield and hit a fierce drive from 22 yards that deflected back across goal off Hurst which had the Saints’ keeper scrambling to cover.

Despite the visitor’s dominance of the closing minutes of play, they could not make the most of their opportunities. Ledsham picked up the first caution of the afternoon for persistent questioning of the referee’s decisions and the first half ended with the Bears happy to have held out and take a slender but somewhat precarious lead into the interval.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 3 St Helens Town 2

Many half-time aficionados believed that the key to the second half, and ultimately the eventual result would depend on which team, if any, scored next. Congleton had looked capable of scoring with every attack, but equally their defence had looked stretched and incapable of dealing with the speed of their opponents play. So it was with some feelings of trepidation that the Bears’ faithful took their places for the second half.

Within two minutes of the restart Congleton had created their first chance as Johnson continued to be a thorn in the side of the Saints defence, sending in a low cross into the box. There was to be no repetition of the early goal-scoring exploits though as Leather collected the ball just ahead of Hurst.

The Bears won a succession of free-kicks in dangerous positions during the opening ten minutes. Haddrell took responsibility for taking the first two, clipping the ball over the wall on both occasions but failing to beat Leather who had the shots covered. Johnson then took over the responsibility from Haddrell but he also failed to trouble Leather, the goalkeeper collecting ahead of Hurst who was running into the near post. A fourth free-kick, on 58 minutes, saw Haddrell restored to the duty, but this time he failed to beat the wall with his powerful, low drive.

The goal that Congleton had been desperately hoping for should have come in the 64th minute, when a lofted ball behind the Saints’ defence sent Hurst clear. Leather raced out to meet the Bears’ striker, who lofted the ball over the advancing keeper, but turned away in disgust as the ball dropped well wide of the target.

St. Helens were lifted by the home side’s inability to take advantage of their superior play in the opening twenty minutes and nearly sneaked an equaliser midway through the half when Sumner hit a perfect curling ball into the path of Gilchrist who fired across goal and narrowly wide. It was the wake-up call that the Bears needed and within two minutes the home side had doubled their advantage. In the move of the game the swift movement and accuracy of passing by Hurst, Haddrell, Johnson and Harris easily undid the St Helens’ defence, leaving Harris with just Leather to beat. This he did with great aplomb, rounding the keeper and sliding the ball into the centre of an unguarded net, much to the delight of the Bears’ supporters behind the goal.

Banawich replaced Woolley immediately after the goal and the game turned in the Bears favour when Sumner had one word too many to say to the referee after his initial caution for a foul and the referee immediately produced a second yellow to send him to the showers. Gilchrist and Jones made way for Phillips and Fletcher in a double substitution by the visitors and moments later Twigg and Swann appeared as replacements for Haddrell and Nesbitt.

Amidst the plethora of substitutions, Congleton nearly extended their lead further as Alston delivered a long throw-in into the box. Harris made a neat touch inside to Johnson who fired hard and low towards the near-post only to be denied by a fine one-handed save from Leather diving to his right.

It was all Congleton in the closing minutes and Vickers fired wide after some fine trickery from Johnson to set him up. Twigg then had the dubious honour of having the miss of the game as he stabbed wide from six yards; although he’d later claim that it was much further out than that. The home side added to their tally in the final minute of the game and for once it was a goal scored, rather than conceded, from a corner. Captain Alston was not to be denied as he rose above the Saints’ defence to head powerfully home from eight yards, courtesy of the underside of the crossbar.

A 5-2 final score-line was perhaps a little flattering for the Bears, given the first half performance of their opponents. Nevertheless, the home side had heeded the words of the assistant manager the previous week and had converted a much higher percentage of their chances, even if the man himself was unable to practice what he preached, as the manager was quick to remind him.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Bostock, Jardine, Alston (C), Nesbitt, Johnson, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Harris.
Subs: Banawich, Twigg, Swann, Heeps.

“COLLIEDOG”

Town go down to table-toppers!

Salford City 2 Congleton Town 1

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One : Saturday 9 September 2008

The Bears travelled to Moor Lane on Saturday to take on table-topping Salford City, needing to prove a point against the side that beat them so convincingly at Booth Street earlier in the season. Defeat at home to Bacup Borough last week had all but ended any promotion aspirations Congleton had, but there was an opportunity to dent their opponent’s title chances and restore some confidence in the side.

Manager, Anthony Buckle, had been active in the player market and handed a debut to Oliver Edwards, a left-sided midfielder from Leek Town, signed as a direct replacement for Scott Williams. However, news that regular ‘keeper Adam Wilkes had changed jobs and would be working some Saturday’s meant that Stuart Heeps, twice previously with the Club, took his place between the sticks and now looks certain to rack up his 100th start for the Bears in the near future.

Away from home the Bears got off to their customary slow start, and were pinned back for much of the opening quarter hour. The only chink of light came when Andy Hurst appeared to be bundled off the ball by Salford ‘keeper Robertson, who would have an eventful afternoon to say the least, but penalty claims were immediately dismissed by the referee.

Salford, meanwhile, had the ball in the back of the net inside the opening ten minutes. A well worked play down the left between Forrester and Myerscough opened up the Bears’ defence, and a ball played low into the penalty box allowed Moses to drive the ball home past a stranded Heeps. A few seconds passed before the Salford players realised the assistant’s flag had been raised, as the ball was played in, and the game remained goal-less.

The home side came close again several times in the opening stages. Moses blasted a volley well wide after nine minutes and Bears’ full-back Bostock had to slide in four minutes later to force Robinson to drive the ball narrowly wide of the post.

Town eventually worked their way into the game and despite Salford having the majority of the possession they worked hard to close their opponents down and afforded them less time on the ball. Johnson cut out an under-hit cross-field ball from Brackenridge and ran at the Salford defence. As he cut inside, Cunningham hung out a leg to bring him down, earning a yellow card and giving Congleton an excellent opportunity to get the ball into the box. Unfortunately the opportunity was wasted, as the ball was over-hit, making it easy for Robertson to collect.

The Bears were having a good spell and created three gilt-edged chances in a ten minute spell. Haddrell saw two efforts sail over the crossbar; the first after some trickery by Johnson, and a neat lay back from Edwards, and the second when left unmarked ten yards out, hastily clipping the ball over the crossbar when he perhaps had more time to steady himself for a shot. The last of those chances came after Haddrell’s persistence paid off and he robbed Cunningham of possession, sending a through-ball behind the defence for Hurst to chase, only for Robertson to beat him narrowly to the ball and clear.

Against the run of play, Congleton suddenly found themselves a goal behind. Once again it was a set piece from a corner that proved the undoing of the Bears’ defence. Burke put the corner into the near post where several players missed the ball and Tudor found himself at the back-post, unmarked, to fire the ball high into the roof of the net to give the home side the lead.

The goal only added to the visitors’ frustrations and Bostock was cautioned for a late challenge on Whiehead as the Salford full-back shepherded the ball behind his own dead-ball line for a goal-kick. The challenge led to a confrontation between several players but order was quickly restored. There were suggestions that Robertson had thrown a punch during the exchange, but none of the officials had seen anything and no further action was taken.

Forrester and Myerscough were proving a real handful down the left. Their combined efforts were rewarded with another corner after thirty-seven minutes, which led to the home side’s second goal. Poor defending once again contributed to the Bears downfall though, as from the same corner position, Burke delivered into the near-post where this time Robinson was left unmarked to head home past a stranded Heeps.

With the game nearing the half-time interval the Bears were handed a lifeline. A quick free-kick caught the Salford defence unawares and Johnson picked up the ball, turned inside one defender and lofted the ball over to Hurst. The ball bounced nicely in front of the Congleton striker and he made no mistake guiding the ball from waist height inside the far post and into the side netting from ten yards out.

Half Time: Salford City 2 Congleton Town 1

Congleton’s mandatory roasting a half-time always seems to see the team come out with more resolution for the second half. Within three minutes of the restart the Bears could have been level. A poor Kelly back-pass was picked up by Edwards, who was through on goal with just Robertson to beat. Edwards chose to shoot from fifteen yards and he curled the ball around the Salford ‘keeper, but the ball was slightly over-hit and glanced the top of the crossbar on its’ way behind for a goal-kick.

That near miss started a fine second half display from Congleton, who pinned their opponents back inside their own half for most of the next forty-five minutes. Adam Vickers was getting forward from his full-back position at every opportunity and he attempted a spectacular effort from the edge of the penalty area with a scissor-kick that left him badly winded when he hit the ground.

Kelly picked up a yellow card for a late, heavy and rather clumsy challenge. With Bears’ fans incensed by the foul, Robertson was involved in further shenanigans behind the Salford goal; verbally abusing one Bears’ supporter and then incurring the wrath of another in an attempted pie-flipping incident that somehow went un-noticed by any of the match officials.

For all his schoolboy antics though, Robertson was having a good day on the pitch, once again racing out to beat Haddrell to the ball and getting a foot in to take the ball off the Congleton strikers boot. Salford made a double substitution after fifty-seven minutes with Turner and Brierley replacing Burke and Tudor, before Robertson was again involved as firstly villain and then hero of the day. It was his late challenge on Hurst that earned him a booking and won the Bears a penalty in the sixty-third minute, but he beat away Haddrell’s spot-kick and the Congleton penalty taker could only lift the rebound over the crossbar.

Paul Harris replaced Edwards on sixty-four minutes as the Bears made their first and only substitution of the game. For a brief five minute period Salford lifted their game, buoyed by the penalty save and they could have further extended their lead when Forrester skipped through the Bears defence and squared the ball to Brierley. Inexplicably, he stabbed the ball wide of the post from six yards. Morely then replaced Cunningham with eighteen minutes remaining, as Salford made their last change of the game.

Johnson and Nesbitt combined well to win a throw-in, which was taken long by Alston and headed on by Haddrell. Cunnigham made a hash of the clearance, which allowed Haddrell to regain possession and clip the ball back into the danger area, where Hurst was on hand to put in a stooping header, glancing the ball across goal, but narrowly wide.

Congleton were totally in control of the game at this stage and had another opportunity to level the scores with twelve minutes remaining. A free-kick, twenty yards out, on the right edge of the penalty box was set up for a Matt Haddrell special, but once again his radar for goal was lacking and he fired harmlessly over.

The last five minutes of the game saw three Congleton players booked and yet another penalty awarded against them. Haddrell and Harris picked up cautions for late, but harmless challenges, before Steve Jardine eased Forrester off the ball in the last minute of the game. The referee viewed the challenge as an illegal one and pointed to the spot. Cunningham stepped up to take the penalty but lifted it well over the crossbar.

The referee’s whistle ended the game a few seconds later and Salford were visibly relieved to have hung on to the three points. After the game, assistant manager Darren Twigg said that the penalty miss had been the turning point in the second half and that had the Bears gotten back to level terms at any stage then the game was there for the taking. Fortune had not favoured the Bears recently, but he said that there were encouraging signs given that the team dominated the second half against allegedly the best side in the league. Finally he stressed that the next stage of progression was for them to start turning the chances they created into more goals.

Team: Heeps, Vickers, Bostock, Jardine, Alston A, Nesbitt, Johnson, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Edwards.
Subs: Harris, Banawich, Twigg, Buckle.

“COLLIEDOG”


Bears Beaten by Battling Bacup!

Congleton Town 0 Bacup Borough 1

The Vodkat North West Counties Football League Division One Saturday 26 January 2008

The Bears’ place at the top of the home form table counted for nothing last Saturday, when they failed to find the net for only the second time in the league this season, falling victim to a well worked move that gave second from bottom side Bacup Borough only their third victory of their league campaign. To add insult to injury, the home side found themselves reduced to nine men late in the game after two poor challenges were deemed worthy of straight red cards by the referee. It was a damaging defeat that ended any realistic hopes the side have for gaining an automatic promotion place and now any likelihood of playing at a higher level next season will depend on any decision to further restructure the league system at the end of the season.

Manager Anthony Buckle had a full squad to select from, with Matt Haddrell returning after suspension and Danny Biegus stepped up from the reserve squad to earn a place on the bench for the first time this season. Jordan Johnson reverted to his role on the right wing and Paul Harris continued to occupy the left midfield position.

It was a rather untidy start to the game with both teams getting bogged down in midfield, which clearly benefited the visitors, who were scrapping for every ball and picked up plenty of early possession. However, it was Congleton who fashioned the first real opportunity on goal in the fifth minute. Spectators were convinced that Jordan Johnson had opened the scoring as a neat through-ball, played behind the defence, found him one-on-one with the Bacup ‘keeper. Johnson’s shot flashed across the goal, beyond Potts’ despairing dive, but somehow failed to find the net, running narrowly wide of the far post.

That move raised Bears’ spirits and two minutes later Congleton won a corner. Johnson put the ball into the penalty area and Haddrell rose to head goal-wards, the ball dropping onto the top of the crossbar and out of play. Johnson was involved again in the ninth minute, chasing a ball played into the corner, before twisting and turning his marker and firing in a cross that Shepherd did well to head away with Hurst and Haddrell lurking just behind him.

Bacup’s first real opportunity came after thirteen minutes. Stott took on Vickers down the left flank and delivered a deep cross into the back post. Carroll was on hand to get a firm header towards goal, but Adam Wilkes was well placed to get a hand to the ball and push his effort around the post to concede a corner.

Congleton were awarded a free-kick on nineteen minutes in a central position, thirty yards out from goal. With the Bacup defence getting organised, the ball was quickly lofted over the top by Matt Haddrell, with Alston making the run forward, only to find the delivery drop just beyond his reach.

For all Congleton’s possession and good passing play the game remained goal-less and Bostock, Johnson and Woolley all had long range efforts in an attempt to break the deadlock, but all fell well wide of goal. Bacup looked dangerous on the break and Carroll was a constant thorn in the side for Alston and Jardine. Wilkes pulled off a spectacular double save on the half-hour, beating away Hartley’s shot and then recovering quickly to collect Carroll’s effort on the rebound.

Inderjeet was the first player to fall foul of the referee on thirty-six minutes, when he pushed Hurst in the back to prevent him breaking clear, earning a yellow card. From the resultant free-kick, Potts fumbled the ball but recovered quickly enough to challenge Haddrell for the ball as it was played back into the six yard box and he forced Congleton’s hit-man to head over.

Potts was clearly revelling in his involvement in the game and pulled off yet another great one-handed save to deny Hurst just two minutes later. A ball played into the box dropped kindly around the penalty spot and Hurst poked the ball goal-wards, only to see Potts, standing on the six yard line, acrobatically palm the ball away once more.

Adam Vickers picked up a caution for a clumsy challenge on the edge of the penalty area. Carroll curled the free-kick towards the top corner, but Wilkes was at his best once again to take the ball cleanly at full stretch. Then with almost the final kick of the first half, Matt Woolley was cynically scythed down by Whelan and out came another yellow card.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 0 Bacup Borough 0

Congleton started the second half brightly enough. Harris, Hurst and Johnson combined well and Johnson put in a cross into the box. The ball was laid back into the path of Adam Vickers, who shot wide from just outside the penalty area. Congleton were soon rueing that missed opportunity as the visitors took the lead on fifty minutes from a well worked set piece.

Bacup earned a cheaply conceded corner on the left, when a miss-kick put the ball behind the dead-ball line. The delivery from the corner was a deep one to the back post where Carroll was on hand to head the ball back across goal before Whelan stooped to guide his header passed the unfortunate Wilkes, who couldn’t get enough of a hand on the ball to prevent it crossing the line.

Boosted by their goal, the visitors went on the offensive and could have grabbed a second two minutes later but for an excellent sliding tackle from Bears’ captain Andy Alston, denying Hartley a clear goal-scoring opportunity with some fine defending.

Congleton made their first change on fifty-six minutes when Harris was replaced by Robinson. Bacup had the wind in their sails though and were working very hard to give Congleton very little time on the ball; they battled for every loose ball and managed to get a foot in whenever the home side tried to break forward.

On the odd occasion that the Bears did manage to get the ball into the final third, resolute defending, impressive goalkeeping or a poor final ball kept them at bay. Johnson clipped the ball into the penalty area from the inside right channel after sixty-nine minutes only to see Cross make a covering tackle on Hurst to concede a corner. When the ball was played in from the corner, the referee adjudged there to have been a push on Potts and awarded a free-kick. Alston and Hartley then became involved in a bit of a heated debate for which both received cautions. Congleton then made their second substitution, taking off Jardine for Banawich.

Johnson was again the biggest threat going forward and his trickery won the space for a shot from the edge of the penalty area that Borg managed to deflect over with his head. Congleton were now effectively playing with three up front and Hurst stole into the penalty area, turned inside and fired a low shot which took a deflection over the bar, only for the referee to award a goal-kick.

With a quarter hour remaining, Woolley made way for Biegus, but just a minute later Congleton found themselves reduced to ten men. Bacup broke quickly down their right and with several players making runs into the penalty area, Robinson cynically tripped Luker as he looked to make headway. It was right underneath the referee’s nose and he felt the infringement worthy of a straight red card. Nesbitt was also cautioned for dissent as Robinson trudged a lonely path back to the changing rooms.

Congleton were throwing everyone forward and were lucky not to concede a second as another quick Bacup break looked to have set them up, only for Carroll to play a dreadful through-ball straight into the arms of Wilkes.

Things went from bad to worse for the Bears in the closing minutes when a late, rash tackle from the youngster Biegus had all the Bacup players surrounding the referee. He had no issue in brandishing a second straight red card, which somehow seemed a little harsh, given that a similar tackle on the stroke of half-time had only met with a yellow card.

Even reduced to nine men there was one last opportunity for the Bears to salvage something from a game that had turned into an unmitigated disaster. Hurst broke into the penalty area, controlled the ball well, turned inside two Bacup defenders and unleashed a shot that Potts could only parry away. Johnson was first to react, but had to stretch to guide the ball back towards goal, only to see the ball cannon off the base of the post and then be cleared to safety.

The referee brought the game to a conclusion and Bacup were warmly applauded off the field of play by Bears’ supporters in recognition of their honest endeavour. Congleton’s manager had a quick word with the referee as the players left the pitch, but to no real avail. After the game the players appeared stunned by proceedings and felt that they were in control of the game for the most part, but just couldn’t get the break that they deserved. From a spectator’s point of view it was a disappointing and somewhat insipid display from players that have shown that they are much better than they showed in this particular display.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Bostock, Jardine, Alston (C), Nesbitt, Johnson, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Harris.
Subs: Banawich, Robinson, Twigg, Biegus, Heeps.

“COLLIEDOG”


Derby day delight for Bears!

Congleton Town 2 Winsford United 1

The Vodkat North West Counties League Division One : Saturday 12 January 2008

Very often, derby games can be dour, uneventful encounters, ruined by a fear of one side losing. One might have thought that this would be the case in a game between two teams on equal points and occupying 5th and 6th place in the table, where a loss by either side would almost certainly end any promotion chasing prospects. Instead, the 164 supporters at the game witnessed a fabulous game of competitive football, with incident at both ends, and every player giving 100% in conditions that were rather heavy underfoot.

Congleton went into the game with the shock news of the departure of influential left-side midfielder Scott Williams, who had teamed back up with former manager Paul Moore at Warrington Town. The Bears also had Matt Haddrell sitting out the game through suspension, which had been delayed due to the postponement of games in the run up to Christmas. This meant that Manager Anthony Buckle had to switch things around and Jordan Johnson partnered Andy Hurst up front, with Jay Banawich returning to the side in the left wing position.

The opening five minutes were a rather scrappy affair as both sides adapted to the conditions and each others’ playing style. Winsford however were the side exerting most of the pressure and the Bears back four held together well confronted with the pace and guile of Les Miranda. Adam Wilkes was forced to palm away a free-kick in the sixth minute and things looked to have opened up for the visitors, only for Bluck to slice his attempted shot which allowed the Bears’ defence to clear.

The home side started to get a foothold in the game thereafter and found early reward when they took the lead in the 12th minute of the game. A neat passing move allowed the Bears to make progress into the Winsford half and when the ball was played forward, a touch inside found Carl Nesbitt with space to shoot from 22 yards out. His low drive to the bottom right corner of the goal was perfectly positioned, evading the outstretched hand from ‘keeper Langley’s dive and nestling inside the foot of the post to give the Bears’ midfielder his first goal of the season.

The home side nearly extended their lead three minutes later when a free-kick, just outside the Winsford penalty area, was taken quickly. Johnson and Harris combined to put the ball into the box and Callaghan, tracking back to cover Hurst was fortunate to see the ball cannon off his body and loop over the crossbar.

Johnson was proving a handful for the Winsford defence, who were struggling to cope with his trickery and ball-control. Turning inside his marker, he carried the ball into the box along the dead-ball line before driving a low cross into the near post. Langley showed his bravery, diving at the feet of Hurst to prevent the Congleton striker from clipping the ball home and Owens cleared behind for a corner. When the ball was delivered back into the box, Steve Jardine’s goal-bound header had the crowd behind the goal cheering in anticipation until Owens was once again on hand to head clear off his goal-line.

Stalwart defending boosted Winsford’s fortunes elsewhere on the pitch and as the half wore on they hauled themselves back into the game. Their efforts were rewarded after 37 minutes when Congleton nemesis Miranda brought the scores level. Advancing down the right a great through-ball released Connell behind the Bears’ defence and bearing down on goal. Wilkes was out smartly to get a block on the shot but fortune favoured the attacking side and Bluck picked up the ball and clipped in an excellent cross to the far post. The ball narrowly cleared three Congleton players stood on the six-yard line and although Vickers, the fourth defender, looked to be the favourite to clear the ball, Miranda used all his guile and strength to get in front of him and head powerfully home, leaving Wilkes furious with his right-back.

Winsford’s celebrations were short-lived though as the Bears reclaimed the lead just two minutes later, with a goal that would have claims for goal of the season. Harris and Johnson once again combined well to put a cross into the box that was cleared back out to Johnson. He took the ball inside one defender and shot, only to see the ball blocked. Woolley picked the ball up again in an inside left position, some 25 yards from goal and hit a floated shot that evaded Langley at full stretch and found the top corner of the opposite side of the goal to give the home side the lead going into the half-time interval.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 2 Winsford United 1

Congleton started the second half on the front foot and fashioned a couple of early chances, the best of which fell to captain Andy Alston after 51 minutes. Harris took a corner whilst the Winsford defence seemed to still be in organisation phase and Alston stole in at the near post to head agonisingly wide.

A minute later the Bears had a free-kick in a dangerous position and Harris floated the ball in to Jardine, who headed goal-wards, but under pressure from Owens his attempt lacked any real power and the ball was cleared. Had either chance been taken the game would probably have been as good as over, but with Winsford still just one goal behind they were visibly lifted having survived those early scares.

Thereafter the game became a much more even one with neither side dominating for any length of time. There was an intriguing midfield battle going on between Nesbitt, Woolley, Bluck and Showers, with the latter perhaps having a little too much to say to the referee on occasions.

Miranda drew a reaction from the crowd as he drove the ball narrowly wide on 54 minutes and two minutes later Congleton conceded a free-kick on the left edge of their penalty box. Woolley was the offender, hauling Connell down when the ball came in to him from a Winsford throw-in, despite repeated warnings from the referee to all the players about persistent holding. From the free-kick the ball was driven diagonally across goal with both Showers and Miranda running in, but neither could get the touch required to guide the ball home.

The next chance fell to the home side as Vickers fed the ball forward to Woolley. He turned with the ball, evading the outstretched leg of a defender, and put in a deep cross that took a deflection up into the air. Banawich watched the ball fall to his feet, but failed to make contact when in a good position to work the goalkeeper.

The defining moment of the half came on 60 minutes though, when the Bears’ centre-backs left too much space between them and Connell easily latched onto a long ball forward. He carried the ball inside the penalty box and looked certain to score. There was an air of astonishment from players and spectators alike when his goal-bound shot was acrobatically palmed onto the post by the athletic Wilkes a save of quality that would earn him the ‘man of the match’ award from the sponsors.

Calland then went on a run from his own half, beating three tackles before feeding the ball inside to Connell on the left edge of the penalty box. Vickers slipped at an inopportune moment which allowed the Winsford striker a clear path to goal. Firing towards the near post both he and Wilkes were astonished to see Alston slide in and make an excellent block.

Congleton made their first substitution on 66 minutes, with Robinson replacing Harris and Winsford freshened up their attacking options by replacing Connell for Mason just two minutes later. Town went on the offensive and Vickers floated a ball into Hurst on the right wing. Hurst held the ball and then fed it inside to Johnson, who clipped the ball over to Banawich and his shot was blocked on the six-yard line. The ball was cleared and Winsford were on the break. Thompson charged forward and put in an excellent cross that Nesbitt did well to get his head to and deflect it away from Bluck at the back post when he looked certain to score.

Robinson picked up a yellow card within seven minutes of coming onto the pitch before Hurst finally beat the offside trap and found himself through on goal. Langley did well to force his wide and onto his weaker foot. By the time the shot came in, it was a weak one and the Winsford defence had recovered to clear the ball away.

Winsford made a double substitution as the game entered the last ten minutes of regulation time when Ennion replaced Duckworth and Kennedy came on for Thompson. A free-kick was awarded to the visitors and Showers met the ball at the back post to head back across goal. Wilkes scrambled to fist the ball away and Congleton cleared their lines.

Both sides had opportunities in the dying minutes. First Johnson latched onto a neat through-ball, carried the ball into the penalty box and drove the ball across goal where Hurst just failed to get the touch needed. Then in the final minute of the four minutes added on at the end of the game Winsford could have salvaged a point when a ball driven in to the near post was met by Ennion, but under pressure he guided the ball over the crossbar.

Congleton played out the final few seconds by keeping possession. Owens picked up a late yellow card for the visitors as they were frantic to get to the ball. The resultant free-kick was played into the corner and although Winsford did recover possession, the referee ended the game as the ball was pumped forward, bringing to a close a tense and exciting encounter in which non-league football was the clear winner.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Bostock, Jardine, Alston (C), Nesbitt, Harris, Woolley, Hurst, Johnson, Banawich.
Subs: Robinson, J-P Jones, Buckle, Heeps.

“COLLIEDOG”


Holt House heartbreak for Bears in nine goal thriller!

Colne 5 Congleton Town 4

Moores & Co. North West Counties Football League Division One : Saturday 5 January 2008

The Bears travelled to a blustery Holt House stadium on Saturday for their league encounter with Colne FC. Sitting in fourth place in the league and just five points off the pace, this was probably the worst fixture that Congleton could have had, having never won at this ground since the home side were promoted into the first division at the start of the 2004/5 season.

Manager Anthony Buckle stuck with the starting line-up that had won at home against Abbey Hey, with Scott Williams still absent for selection. There was one new face on the bench though, as former Newcastle midfielder Simon Robinson was named amongst the substitutes.

The wind was blowing straight along the length of the pitch and Colne elected to play with the wind in the first half. That decision enabled the home side to pin their opponents back in their own half for much of the first period, with any ball launched forward struggling to pass the halfway line. Despite this, the Bears had the first real opportunity of the game to score. Andy Hurst was fed the ball down the inside left channel and he took the ball past the advancing ‘keeper, but was forced to cut the ball back as the Colne defence recovered quickly. Matt Woolley picked up the ball and hit a first time shot that Donlon did well to smother.

On 13 minutes Colne were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous central position, 25 yards out from goal. Adam Wilkes pushed away the first effort and then pulled off an exceptional save to block the second shot from the rebound. Unfortunately his heroics were to be in vain as just a minute later the home side took the lead.

The first goal came from a corner, one of many the home side had forced early on, using the wind to their advantage. With the Congleton back-four getting no distance on their clearances, it was no surprise when a ball headed out fell to Cooper on the edge of the penalty area. Questions will be asked of the visitors’ marking though as he was given too much room to turn inside and then hit a low shot inside the near post with Wilkes unsighted.

In an almost immediate riposte, Congleton forced a corner of their own and Jordan Johnson sent in an out-swinging ball that was met firmly by the head of Matt Haddrell, only for Wright to head the ball off the line and maintain the home sides’ advantage. That advantage only lasted seven minutes though as the Bears were soon level with 21 minutes of the game gone. Steve Jardine launched the ball forward to Haddrell, who executed a neat turn, before threading the ball behind the defence and into the path of the on-rushing Johnson. Having taken the ball on, Johnson had to stretch to guide the ball inside where Hurst was waiting to pounce and guide the ball home.

If Colne’s lead had been short-lived, the Bears had hardly had time to draw breath before falling behind to a wonder-strike from Garbutt, who took the ball forward from the restart and then tried his luck from range, finding the perfect dipping shot to beat Wilkes and restore his sides’ lead once more.

The game continued in the same vein with the hosts pumping long balls forward and Congleton struggling to get the ball clear. On 32 minutes, Colne increased their advantage after some sloppy defending from Jardine. The tall centre-back watched the long ball played forward towards him, but then failed to control the ball, allowing it to deflect off his shin directly into the path of Cockett, who calmly placed his shot wide of Wilkes and into the net to send the home side 3-1 up.

There was still time for the Bears to pull one back before half-time though, courtesy of a mix-up between Wright and Donlon. A ball played over the top had Wright back-tracking and Donlon advancing from goal. Outside of his area and unable to use his hands, Donlon jumped to head the ball away, as did Wright. The two collided in mid-air, allowing the ball to pass over both of them and Johnson ran on past the prostrate pair to guide the ball into an empty net.

Half-Time: Colne 3 Congleton 2

With the wind at their backs for the second half, the Bears must have believed that the game had turned in their favour when, within three minutes of the restart, Donlon was sent off for handling the ball outside his own area, denying Johnson a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The referee had no alternative but to hand the ‘keeper his marching orders, but with Congleton unable to capitalise from the resulting free-kick the ‘keepers actions had kept his side in front.

The sending off in some respects favoured the home side as Congleton were a little too eager to press home their numerical advantage and often left themselves exposed at the back to a quick counter-attack. Cockett was unfortunate when he pushed the ball too far ahead as he raced past a static defence and Wilkes was quickly out to clear. It was a warning that was not to be heeded by the Bears.

Congleton made their first change in the 61st minute when Woolley was replaced by Robinson, making his first appearance in a Bears’ shirt.

The home side were then gifted an extension to their lead after 63 minutes when the referee awarded a penalty for what appeared to be a blatant dive. Urwin picked up the ball in the inside left channel and carried the ball, unchallenged, into the penalty area. With Bostock tracking across to cover the Colne striker pushed the ball too far forward, waited for Bostock to stick out a leg, and then threw himself to the ground in spectacular fashion. Unperturbed by the fact that the ball had already crossed the dead-ball line by the time Urwin went to ground, the referee took a few seconds to consider his actions and then pointed to the spot. Rosser, who was deputising in goal, made the long trip forward whilst Bostock and the Nesbitt were cautioned, and then duly fired the spot-kick past Wilkes’.

Colne immediately replaced Cruz for Harris, looking to consolidate at the back and protect their lead. Congleton also made a change shortly after, as Jardine was replaced by Banawich. Johnson had two half chances in quick succession soon thereafter, but on both occasions shot wide of the target, before Congleton’s final substitution on 70 minutes saw Darren Twigg replace Paul Harris, as the manager gambled with three strikers in an attempt to get back into the game. Haddrell then picked up his customary yellow card for persistent, niggling fouls.

Buckle’s tactical substitutions appeared to have done the trick; Haddrell was given space on the edge of the 18 yard box and didn’t have to be invited to shoot, producing a goal of sheer quality as the ball crept inside the post, with Rosser rooted to the spot. Then, ten minutes later, the Bears were level. A long throw-in towards the near post from Andy Alston, deceived the Colne defence and an outstretched leg deflected the ball into the back of the Colne net to record an own goal.

Throughout the match though, Colne had worked hard, and especially during the second half when they had a numerical disadvantage to make up for. There might have perhaps been a number of instances when the home side could have been punished for minor infractions of the rules and a certain amount of shirt-tugging did seem to go un-noticed by the referee, but by and large Colne had acquitted themselves very well.

Most spectators would have settled for a draw being a fair result, but there was still to be one final twist in the tail that would send the visitors home without anything to show for their efforts. The nature of the winning goal will be what hurts most though, although that pain is no doubt doubled by the fact that Congleton had a cleverly weighted shot bounce out of play off the top of the crossbar just a minute before the winning goal was struck.

As the game entered the final minute of added on time at the end of the game Colne were awarded a free-kick inside their own half. Rosser launched the ball forward, but against the wind the ball dropped short of Bostock and Garbutt was quick to prod the ball past the Congleton defender and go one-on-one with Wilkes. The Colne striker calmly waited for the advancing Wilkes to commit himself and shaped a beautiful shot around him and into the net to steal all three points.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Bostock, Jardine, Alston (C), Nesbitt, Harris, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Johnson.
Subs: Banawich, Robinson, Twigg, Buckle, Heeps.

“COLLIEDOG”

Weather can’t prevent Bears going fourth!

Congleton Town 3 Abbey Hey 1

The Vodkat North West Counties League Division One:; Saturday 29 December 2007

The visit of bottom of the table outfit Abbey Hey to Booth Street on Saturday presented a great opportunity for the Bears to put their Boxing Day woes firmly behind them. Manager Anthony Buckle was still without the services of Scott Williams and elected to keep faith with the team that started against Newcastle, with the only absentee being Darren Twigg’s name from the substitute’s bench.

The game started in fine weather conditions and the pitch had held up well despite the torrential rain the previous night. However the game would be no more than 10 minutes old before the rain started to fall once more and with strong blustery winds, it wasn’t long before the playing conditions became somewhat atrocious, although the pitch remained playable throughout. Perhaps the conditions caught out Pearson, who took an early tumble and had to be replaced by Risk.

In those opening 10 minutes the Bears, playing with the strong wind, were virtually camped out in their opponents half. Matt Haddrell tried a speculative effort almost immediately from the kick-off, but his shot flew well wide. Within a minute, Jordan Johnson forced a mistake out of centre-back Marsden and carried the ball into the box, delaying his shot and being forced wide. Cutting back, Johnson chipped the ball across the face of goal and Andy Alston headed over from short range. Johnson was also instrumental in the Bears next good chance, breaking forward from his own half and feeding the ball out wide to Andy Hurst. His cross was met firmly by the head of Haddrell, who failed to control the ball and headed over, much to his own disgust.

Abbey ‘keeper Downs was certainly being kept busy and despite a rather small stature for a goalkeeper he more than proved his worth when he tipped over a Jordan Johnson effort after Alexander had been caught trying to play his way out of defence. Johnson was denied once again after the Bears’ midfielder had jinked his way past two defenders and carried the ball into the box. There were shouts for a penalty as Johnson was held back, which allowed the block to come in as he shaped to shoot.

As the rain started to come down heavier, Town continued to push forward. Hurst failed to control a neat through-ball which allowed Marsden to get in ahead of him and deny the Congleton striker an effort on goal. The deadlock was eventually broken though on 22 minutes, as Haddrell made a determined run into the box, made space for the shot and then drove the ball powerfully past the dive of Downs to give the home side a deserved lead.

Johnson nearly extended the Bears’ lead, five minutes later, when he made another of his mazy runs past the Abbey defence. Cutting first inside and then outside the defender, space opened up in front of him and he was unlucky to see his shot cannon off Downs legs from short range. The ball broke back out to Matt Woolley and he lifted the ball back towards goal, only to see the ball drop wide of the post.

It took 33 minutes for Abbey Hey to exert any real pressure on the Bears’ defence. The brothers Brown, Michael and Ashley, combined well down the Abbey left and Ashley sent in a deep cross that had to be shepherded out at the back post for a corner. The ball was delivered in and cleared. A quick break was on and Matt Woolley burst forward, through the middle, before guiding a weak shot straight at Downs. The teams then traded free-kicks in dangerous areas. Abbey’s first had to be helped out of play at the near post by Andy Alston. At the other end, Haddrell wasted his effort by lifting the ball high and wide from 22 yards out. Abbey’s second effort also produced a bit of panic in the Bears’ defence before another corner was conceded.
Congleton then had a further two penalty shouts denied as the half came to a close. The first after 41 minutes appeared to be a heavy two-footed challenge, which by all accounts these days is a foul for dangerous play, irrespective of whether the ball is taken or not. Bears’ fans behind the opposition goal had just calmed down from that shout when another sliding tackle inside the penalty area appeared to have taken the man before the ball. The referee was having none of it and waved play on, to send the home side into the interval with the slenderest of leads to show for their almost total domination of play.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 1 Abbey Hey 0

By the start of the second half, the continuous downpour had turned conditions and the game into a bit of a lottery, which was a great leveller for the visitors. The second half produced nothing of any note, except for a midfield tussle in which neither side appeared able to keep the ball or make any significant headway.

With the ball pinging around in midfield, it was still Congleton who were looking the most dangerous, although Alston had to get back quickly to take the ball off Alexander as he threatened to burst forward.
Another deflected ball looked to have put Alexander through once more, but Wilkes was out quickly to clear the danger, just ahead of the Abbey striker.

After 60 minutes, Abbey made their second change of the game, Michael Brown making way for Taker. The Bears suddenly found their feet again in the second half and for a fifteen minute spell they passed the ball around quite neatly. In one move Harris picked up the ball on the inside right midfield position and dinked a beautifully weighted ball behind the Abbey defence. Both Haddrell and Hurst were lurking, but only Hurst had burst through the back line, so that when he left the ball for Haddrell the flag was raised for offside.

It wasn’t to be a costly misunderstanding though, as a minute later, 68 minutes into the game, the Bears forced a corner. Woolley hit a shot goal-wards as the ball dropped to him just outside the penalty area, and Downs got down to make a fine save at the foot of the post. Hurst picked up the loose ball and fired it in across goal where Alston was at the back post to prod the ball home, for only his second of the season and the Bears’ second of the game.

Cheetham was booked a few minutes later for dissent and Anthony Buckle made his first change of the game, Keeling on for Harris, after 74 minutes. Three minutes later and it was Jardine who made way for Banawich. It was still all Town throughout this period of changes and almost immediately after coming on Keeling rifled a shot towards goal that Downs pushed away with both hands.

The game was effectively decided just a minute after Jardine’s replacement. Wilkes put in a huge goal-kick clearance, against the wind, which Lester misjudged and the ball dropped in behind him to Hurst. Turning inside his marker, Hurst laid the ball off into the path of the onrushing Johnson. He skipped past the last defender’s sliding tackle and calmly slotted the ball across the goalkeeper and into the net.

Ellishall was a late replacement for the visitors and he was instrumental in winning the penalty that lead to Abbey’s consolation goal. His powerful running and pass into the path of Scott forced Banawich into a desperate tackle that brought down the Abbey front-man. Scott lifted himself up to convert from the spot, but there was little time to suggest that a comeback was on the cards. Marsden blasted a 35 yard free-kick narrowly wide with five minutes remaining, but the Bears saw out the remaining time comfortably to earn the win.

If results on Boxing Day went against the Bears, it was their turn for some good fortune. Salford drew and Winsford and Flixton played out a draw in their game, whilst Maine Road lost to the now newly established table-toppers Newcastle Town. That series of results saw the Bears catapult into fourth place in the table and within five points of the league leaders, although Trafford, third, have two games in hand and Salford, second, have one over both Newcastle and Congleton.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Bostock, Jardine, Alston A (C), Nesbitt, Johnson, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Harris. Subs: Banawich, Keeling, Buckle, Heeps.

“COLLIEDOG”

Shoddy defending costs Bears dear in Boxing Day derby!

Newcastle Town 3 Congleton Town 2

Moores & Co. North West Counties Football League Division One: Wednesday 26 December 2007

Boxing Day threw up the usual derby-day fixtures with the Bears travelling to Lyme Valley for a top-six clash against near neighbours and third-placed Newcastle Town. Billed as a season defining game, not least because of the ex-Newcastle flavour of the current Congleton Town line-up, but also because the title race had become much closer and the victors would be handily placed in third to make a serious promotion challenge in the second half of the season.

One notable absence from the starting Bears line up was influential left-winger Scott Williams who was unavailable due to holiday commitments. For Newcastle, their influential captain Andy Bourne was made available, despite his recent transfer to Leek Town, and he would eventually play a vital part in the Bears’ undoing in the latter stages of the game.

The game started at a frantic pace, with neither side able to put together any sort of structured play. Newcastle perhaps had the edge in terms of holding on to possession, but it was Congleton who looked more capable of doing something with the ball when they had it.

There was plenty of aggression on display too as tackles flew in thick and fast and Newcastle striker Mills was fortunate to get away with a stern talking too by the referee after his sliding challenge in the fourth minute. Adam Vickers was not so fortunate however and he received the first yellow card of the game for a similar challenge after 8 minutes.

Andy Hurst produced the first shot on target of the game after 12 minutes. Released down the inside right channel, the Bears’ striker took the ball on before shooting some twelve yards out and producing a fine one handed save from Ritchie in the Newcastle goal, palming the ball over the crossbar.

Harper was the next to come to the referee’s attention for a high boot raised against Haddrell in another strong challenge. The referee gave him the benefit of the doubt though and just asked him to calm it down a bit. That just didn’t seem possible as the game continued at a high tempo and winger Richard Minor was again lucky to escape with nothing more than harsh words from the referee for a late challenge on Andy Hurst.

The game settled a little after the opening twenty minutes and both sides then created a number of chances to open the scoring. A neat break down the Newcastle left allowed Minor to beat Vickers and put in a cross that Bourne saw deflected wide for a corner, which was then wasted. Jordan Johnson was guilty of holding onto the ball too long and lost possession which allowed a quick counter and Minor this time had the Bears defence stretched but his shot was well blocked by the recovering Jardine.

At the other end a mistake by Bradbury allowed Hurst to pick up possession in a dangerous position, but he was forced to hold the ball up as there was no support for him. The ball was eventually laid back to Paul Harris, whose out-swinging cross was met by Haddrell, under pressure from Bourne, and he could only head wide.

Another Minor effort whizzed across the face of goal and some poor defending by Bostock, who missed the ball as he slid in to intercept a pass, allowed Marshall to attack the Bears’ goal. Andy Alston did well to get across and deflect Marshall’s shot behind for a corner, which was easily cleared.

The Bears took the lead just after the half-hour, when Harper was penalised for a tackle just outside his own area. The free-kick was set up for a Matt Haddrell special and he didn’t disappoint as he curled the ball over the wall and inside the right hand post with Ritchie rooted to the spot.

It was a relatively short-lived lead though. After an earlier opportunity for Minor had produced a fine save from Wilkes, the Newcastle winger was presented with an opportunity on 37 minutes that he just couldn’t miss. Willis dinked the ball forward to Marshall, who ducked under the ball and deceived both Bostock and Alston who were in close attendance. That allowed the ball to run behind the defence and when Bourne and Wilkes met the ball at the same time at the edge of the penalty area, the ball broke out to the left to Minor who had an empty net to fire into to leave the scores level going into the break

Half-Time: Newcastle Town 1 Congleton Town 1

The Bears started the second half much the brighter of the two sides, which left some spectators wondering if the Newcastle lads had possibly had a little too much Christmas cheer. That thought appeared justified as Congleton had the ball in the back of the net twice within the opening five minutes, but neither strike was allowed to stand.

Matt Haddrell was the ‘scorer’ on both occasions, being penalised for a marginal offside when heading home from 10 yards out from a pinpoint cross for the first disallowed goal. He was then adjudged to have been too aggressive in the tackle when competing for a 50/50 ball on the edge of the penalty area, cutting inside and curling the ball around Ritchie and inside the far post for a second. Haddrell picked up a yellow card moments later for another strong challenge.

Matt Woolley came close to giving Congleton the lead with a rasping 25 yard effort on 52 minutes, but the ball came off the outside of his boot and curled wide of the post. Andy Hurst was causing problems down the inside right channel, but too often was left without support and having to hold the ball up. A similar move to the one that created a chance for Woolley was palmed behind by Ritchie and Wellecombe came off his own goal-line to make a determined clearance. Hurst, this time running the inside left channel was found by Haddrell, after he charged down an attempted long ball from the Newcastle defence. Hurst again had to hold the ball up, this time cutting back and delivering the ball into the box, with no one running in to take advantage.

With Congleton dominating the early stages of the half, Newcastle manager Greg Clowes opted to make his first change after 58 minutes, replacing Marshall with Eldershaw. However it made little difference and the Bears continued to press forward. The Bears’ efforts were rewarded on 64 minutes after a neat passing move ended with Hurst laying the ball inside to Harris, who was bursting into the penalty area, only to be scythed down in front of goal by Minor. Despite potentially being the last man, Minor escaped with just a yellow card and despite Haddrell despatching the penalty to restore the visitor’s lead, the referee’s decision would have a major impact on the game.

The Bears lead lasted all of seven minutes this time. Matt Woolley was caught in possession bringing the ball forward from inside his own half. A quick ball out to the left found Minor and Jardine inexplicably backed off rather than close the winger down. Minor collected the ball, cut inside to take the ball across the 18 yard line and then as he tried to cut towards goal was clumsily tackled and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot once more. Wellecombe stepped up to send Wilkes the wrong way and parity was once again restored.

Newcastle midfielder Wilkes was booked shortly after the goal for a challenge on Nesbitt, who had had a quiet game for the Bears. Clowes then introduces Dundas in place of the tiring Mills to give the Blues a fresh impetus. However it was Bourne and Minor who were the biggest influences on the home side, neither of whom, arguably you could say, should have been on the pitch at that time. Still the Bears pressed forward though and Johnson produced a mazy run of his own to open up the Newcastle defence and force Ritchie into a fingertip save, diving to his left, to guide the ball wide of the post and out for a corner.

There was a sort of resignation though spreading throughout the Bears’ fans who could see that Newcastle had been inspired by the gift of two easy goals that had kept them in a game that they had been second best in. That resignation was well founded after 86 minutes though and when a 50/50 ball lead to a heavy challenge between Bostock and Bourne, it was the Congleton defender who was penalised, earning a yellow card in the process and conceding a free-kick in a dangerous area, twenty yards out from goal on the right side of the penalty box. Minor stepped up to hit an unstoppable drive past the five-man wall and Wilkes could only help guide the ball into his own goal, such was the ferocity of the strike.

It was a sucker-punch blow for the Bears and one from which they never recovered. When the final whistle blew the Newcastle celebrations were over-boisterous perhaps fuelled by the fact that they had been outplayed throughout much of the second half and yet had emerged from the game with a victory and the three points that kept them firmly in third spot.

Away from Lyme Valley, the news came that Salford, Trafford and Winsford had all won their games, and that Maine Road had taken a point from their game. This meant that the Bears had lost ground on all their major rivals, except Flixton who fell victim to Trafford, and had been leapfrogged by seventh placed Winsford, who jumped into fourth place behind Newcastle.

All-in-all it was a day, no doubt, that manager Anthony Buckle and his squad will want to quickly put behind them.

Team: Wilkes, Vickers, Bostock, Jardine, Alston, Nesbitt, Johnson, Woolley, Hurst, Haddrell, Harris.
Subs: Banawich, Keeling, Twigg, Buckle, Heeps.
‘COLLIEDOG’

Early dismissal leads to first half goal blitz for Bears!

Congleton Town 5 Atherton Collieries 2

The Vodkat North West Counties League Division One : Saturday 22 December 2007

Few people travelling to Booth Street on the last Saturday before Christmas would have imagined the way that this game would eventually be played out. Congleton were looking to maintain their excellent home record against an Atherton Colliery’s side who were struggling for form recently. Manager Anthony Buckle handed Steve Jardine his debut in a makeshift back four, with Paul Harris deputising for the suspended Adam Vickers at right-back and Andy Bostock being preferred on the left side ahead of Jay Banawich.

The game started evenly with both sides looking to move the ball around quickly. However the outcome was effectively decided after just four minutes of play when Atherton ‘keeper Bates was sent off for a serious professional foul. An accurate through-ball released Andy Hurst on goal and when ‘keeper Bates charged out and took out the Bears’ striker with a very heavy sliding challenge, the referee was left with very little option but to brandish a straight red card. Winger Andy Barker was the stand-in replacement, but Congleton couldn’t take immediate advantage from the resulting free-kick; winning a corner and then Andy Alston heading well over from Jordan Johnson’s delivery.

Bears’ fans didn’t have to wait too long though for the numerical advantage to show as there ensued an onslaught on the Atherton goal. In the ninth minute, a poor clearance from Barker allowed Johnson to bring the ball forward before slipping it in behind the Atherton defence to Hurst. His shot, from the left corner of the six yard box, was fumbled by Barker and deflected cruelly into his own goal by Waterworth, although the goal would later be credited to Hurst after consultation with the referee.

Atherton were perhaps feeling a little hard done to and temperatures were raised, with one or two really meaty challenges going unpunished by the referee, until finally after 14 minutes their captain Lord overstepped the mark and found his name in the referee’s book. However, the aggression shown by the players was keeping them in the game and Gabriel and Taylor combined well going forward to force a corner.

Johnson had a chance to extend the Bears’ lead after 20 minutes, when he picked up a ball played into the box by Hurst, but his first time shot flew narrowly wide. Just four minutes later though the second goal came. A great ball out to Scott Williams, on the left wing, was carried to the dead-ball line where Lord slid in to prevent the cross coming in and conceded a corner. Johnson floated the ball into the centre, where in a crowded area the ball was cleverly laid out right to Harris. His cross was met superbly with a stooping header by Hurst, at the near post, who guided the ball home for his second.

Two goals in two minutes then spelled the end for Atherton as the Bears cruised to a 4-0 lead. The first came after some good work pressing the Atherton defence, who conceded a cheap throw-in deep in to their own half. Hurst collected the long throw-in, with his back to goal, but laid the ball off neatly to Haddrell on the cross-over. One touch from Haddrell gave him all the space he needed to curl the ball around the hapless Barker in goal for the Bears’ third. Hurst then completed his hat-trick when Atherton’s high back line was exposed. Williams drew the Atherton defence with a dummy run that allowed the ball to be threaded through to Hurst on the edge of the 18-yard box. With Barker left standing, Hurst coolly fired home to put the result beyond any doubt.

On the half-hour, Gabriel picked up a yellow card for persistently questioning the referee’s decisions before Williams rattled the crossbar having taken on the Atherton defence and fashioned his own opportunity to shoot. Atherton striker Taylor was then replaced through injury by the impressively named Orlando de Melo Junior and Matt Haddrell picked up another silly booking for persistent niggling fouls.

The onslaught continued however and Congleton fashioned any number of chances to polish off the first half with a fifth goal. They had to wait until right up until the last minute of the first half to do so though. Bostock and Williams combined well down the left to rob Davies of the ball midway inside the Atherton half. Williams released Bostock who whipped in a decent cross and Haddrell was on hand to glance a header into the far side of the net to make it 5-0. It could even have been six when Conlon received a late caution for pulling back Hurst, and Haddrell curled the resultant free-kick narrowly wide.

Half-Time: Congleton Town 5 Atherton Collieries 0

All the talk in the Bears’ den during the break was about how big a rout it would actually be in the second half, and how many goals Haddrell and Hurst could add to their tally to make them 1 and 2 in the goal-scorers chart. What transpired though was completely unexpected; Atherton changed their replacement goalkeeper in the second half, who went on to pull off a string of fine saves, and their team came out far more focussed in the second half than the Congleton lads, who probably felt that the game was already over.

Atherton came out all guns blazing and started to test out the home defence by getting closer to them and pressurising play. Their hearts were lifted within eight minutes of the second half commencing when Jardine slipped at a most inopportune moment to