Recap
GARDNER STRIKE STUNS BEARS
BY GARRY CLARKE
1874 NORTHWICH 3-2 CONGLETON TOWN HSL PREMIER 5TH JANUARY 2019
A spectacular volleyed goal by substitute Callum Gardner settled the Cheshire derby in favour of 1874 Northwich at St Luke’s Barton Stadium.
Holding the upper hand for most of a competitive, and at times controversial, encounter 1874 Northwich got 2019 off to a winning start against opponents sitting second in the HSL Premier Division table.
1874 got the game off to a flying start. Taylor Kennerley ended a run from the halfway line with a hot which just cleared the Congleton bar in the 3rd minute before Scott McGowan opened the scoring in the 5th minute.
The former Bear’s striker met a Sam Hare corner with a sweetly struck volley which flew through a packed penalty area into the net.
Ten minutes later scorer turned provider. Taking advantage of a defensive error McGowan crossed the ball from the right hand side of the six yard box to the far post where Kennerley drilled the ball past Congleton goalkeeper Craig Ellison
Congleton started to come more into the game as the first half progressed. In the 25th minute Billy Hasler-Clegg directed the ball wide of the target after a Saul Henderson cross had set him up with an open goal. Ten minutes later 1874 goalkeeper James Coates saved bravely at Henderson’s feet but could not prevent the visitors from pulling a goal back from the penalty spot in the 41st minute. Henderson took a tumble in the penalty area as he was trying to turn Mark Jones; Dean Warburton dispatched the spot kick sending Coates the wrong way.
The first half ended with the visitors claiming a second penalty for a push at a corner on the stroke of half time. Referee Kristian Sikcock dismissed their appeals.
It only took Congleton two minutes after the restart to draw level. With Jones being replaced at half time due to injury, a through ball split the 1874 rearguard open allowing Henderson to slot the all past Coates.
Both sides created chances to break the deadlock. Ellison was forced to mark a brave save diving at the feet of Kennerley, McGowan shot over the Congleton bar while Jack Irlam headed a Matt Woolley free kick into Ellison’s hands. Henderson struck an upright with a shot; Coates turned a long range effort from Warburton away for a corner from which Coates made another good save to deny Congleton.
The decisive moment arrived when Lucas Weir won the ball in a tackle to release Kennerley whose cross from the left wing found Gardner, who having only entered the fray four minutes previously met the ball with a stunning volley which flew past a helpless Ellison to restore 1874’s lead.
In the closing twenty minutes both sides created several half chances without ever looking likely to change the score line as 1874 held on to claim the three points.
1874 – Coates, Connor, Tinning, Meadowcroft, Jones (Weir ht), Irlam, Koral, Woolley, McGowan (Gardner 67), Hare, Kennerley. Subs not used Ormrod. Waite-Jackson, Tucker.
CONGLETON – Ellison, Williams, Peters, Jamieson (Stephens 65), Morris, Ryder, Hasler-Clegg (McInthosh-Buffonge) Warburton, Henderson, Foster, Burey. Subs not used Groom, Cooke, Main.
GOALS
1874 McGowan 5, Kennerley 16, Gardner 71
Congleton Warburton 41p Henderson 47
ATTENDANCE 271
Men of the match selected by match sponsor PHIL BURGESS
1874 Taylor Kennerley
Details
Date | Time | League | Season | Attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sat 5 Jan 2019 | 3:00 pm | Hallmark Security League Premier | 2018/19 | 271 |
Results
Club | 1st Half | 2nd Half | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
1874 Northwich | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Congleton Town | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Officials
Referee | Assistant Referee 1 | Assistant Referee 2 |
---|---|---|
Kristian Silcock | James Milburn | James Naisbett |
KO 5 16 45 67 71 84 89 FT