Congleton Town vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

GOALDEN HIND RESCUES 74 SHIPWRECK

By Garry Clarke

A stunning second half hat-trick by Sam Hind steered 1874 Northwich to a 4-2 victory at Congleton Town to go top of the Hallmark Security League Premier Division table despite being 2-0 down with less than half an hour to play.

Playing their first league game of the season 1874 started the game stronger than their Cheshire neighbours with Hind, Tom Bailey and Stuart Wellstead going close to scoring in the opening stanza.

The home side, who has posed little threat in the opening 30 minutes, started to come more into the game with Mike Koral and Jack Pritchard going close before Declan Fletcher opened the scoring in the 30th minute. Winning the ball in midfield he drove forward drilling a shot into the 1874 net from outside the area.

Congleton doubled their lead two minutes before half time when referee Wade Smith adjudged Ryan Mitchell to have fouled Koral in the penalty area. Brian Matthews put his spot kick beyond the reach of 1874 custodian Greg Hall.

In the opening minutes of the second half Hall did well to prevent Matthews from scoring saving at point blank range, and watched minutes later as the same player launched a long range speculative shot over the bar.

The 60th minute introduction of former Congleton Town player Scott McGowan sparked life into 1874, who were in danger of becoming ship wrecked on the rocks of a solid well organized Congleton.

Six minutes after his arrival on the Booth Street pitch, McGowan slipped a pass into the path of Bailey whose shot was fumbled by Bears keeper Mike Dixon allowing the ever alert Hind to bundle the ball over the line.

Now with three at the back and McGowan offering extra width in attack, a more enthusiastic 1874 were now starting to dominate the game, although they had to be careful not to be caught out on the break by the home side.

1874 drew level in the 74th minute. Ed Moran swung a corner into a congested Congleton penalty area; Hind emerged from a pack of players to propel the ball into the back of the net.

Eight minutes later with his first touch after entering the fray, substitute Rick Bailey delivered a cross to the far post where he found Hind, who guided his header into the net to put 1874 in front and complete his first hat trick for the club.

1874, who came from 4-1 down to snatch a point at Congleton last season, completed their comeback a minute before full time when McGowan, who scored a hat-trick for Congleton in the corresponding fixture last season, swept in a cross from close range to open his account for his new club as 1874 sailed away to victory.

CONGLETON – Dixon, Pritchard, Blair, Whiteoak, Alston (Baker 38), Read (Gardner 85), Koral, S Septon, Fletcher, Matthews, Marshall (Kirby 66) – subs not used L Sephton, Highton.

1874 – Hall, Connor, Russell, Mitchell (McGowan 60), Thomas, Chappell, Wellstead, M Woolley (R Bailey 80), T Bailey, Hind, Moran – subs not used Kirk, Welsh, J Woolley.

GOALS – Congleton – Fletcher 30, Matthews 43p. 1874 – Hind 66,74,82 McGowan 89

ATTENDANCE 275 REFEREE Wade Smith

Hat trick hero Sam Hind celebrates.

Scott McGowan wheels away after scoring.