1874 Northwich vs Congleton Town

Recap

MACRON CUP SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG      WIN 7-0 ON AGGREGATE

 Two early goals paved the way for 1874 Northwich to ease their way into the Macron Cup final where they will face  HSL Premier Division leaders City of Liverpool who defeated First Division North Avro in the other semi-final.

 Trying to recover a five goal deficit from the first leg, Congleton Town were quick out of the blocks forcing a corner in the first minute from which Tony Aghayere  reacted to well to save from Emini Adegbenro. The 1874 keeper was in action moments later plucking a dangerous William Hasler-Clegg cross out of the air.

 1874 settled any possible nerves in the 3^rd minute when Callum Gardner met a Jack Irlam cross with a sweetly struck angled volley which flew into the Bears’ net.

 Craig Ellison was beaten again six minutes later when Mike Koral was on hand to tap the ball home from close range when the Congleton goalkeeper saved but could not hold a Gardner shot.

 The first half ended with 1874 in the ascendancy with Korsal having a shot blocked and Gardner sending a diving header just over the bar, while the second half started with Aghayere diving full length to divert a long range Dean Warburton shot to safety.

The game was held up for ten minutes in the second half when referee Richard Holmes pulled up with a calf injury. Winsford resident and Sunday League referee Phil Jones emerged from the 258 strong crowd to take over on the line as senior assistant Matthew Clarke assumed control of the game.

Once the game resumed, although both sides had a number of attempts on goal, both goalkeepers were virtual spectators as neither side went too close to troubling the scorers as 1874 controlled the closing stages to ensure passage to the final on 4^th May at Altrincham’s Moss Lane ground.

 1874 – Aghayere, Connor (Hind 70), Russell, Pritchard, Meadowcroft, Jones, Gardner, Irlam (Ormrod 15), Koral, Hare, Kennerley (Phipps 75). Subs not used M Woolley, McGowan.
CONGLETON – Ellison, Stephens, Speed, McLennan, Morris, Griffith, Hasler-Clegg, Warburton, Foster, Main, Adenbenro. Subs used Jamieson, Donnellyy, Hunter. Subs not used Pritchard, Peters.

 GOALS – 1874 Gardner 3, Koral 9

ATTENDANCE 258                               REFEREE Richard Holmes

Man of the match selected by match sponsors THE 1874 CAR SHARE = Mark Jones