Congleton Town vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

NWCFL PREMIER 16TH SEPTEMBER 2014

Two first half goals by Matty Ward secured all three points for 1874 Northwich in the Cheshire Derby at Booth Street. 1874 had to work hard to overcome a stubborn Congleton Town team who, despite 1874 holding the upper hand, created enough chances to have won a keenly contested game.

Jamie Tandy went close to opening the scoring in the 15th minute when his shot drew a fine save from the home team’s outstanding goalkeeper Craig Ellison, moments later Mike Brandon headed a lee Duckworth cross just wide of the target before Ward opened the scoring in the 20th minute.

Neil Chappell drilled a low cross from the left into the Congleton penalty area, evading players from both sides the ball found its way to Ward on the far post, coming slightly behind him he shot left footed on the turn to guide the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Congleton equalised in the 35th minute when a long ball down the middle of the pitch was allowed to bounce on the edge of 1874’s area causing confusion in, the otherwise assured, 1874 rearguard allowing Scott Barlow to shoot past Matt Conkie.

Ellison pulled off another fine save to deny Brandon but was unable to prevent Ward from restoring 1874’s advantage in the 43rd minute. Racing onto a defence splitting inch perfect pass from Chappell, Ward unchallenged slotted the ball past the advancing Ellison.

Chappell went close to scoring in the opening minute of the second half but saw his shot well saved by Ellison. The home side, watched by Booth Street’s largest league crowd of the season, subjected the 1874 goal to a sustained period of pressure, forcing several corners which 1874 struggled to clear and Conkie tipping a McCauley Booth shot over the bar.

1874 regained a measure of control as the game became stretched forcing Ellison into several fine saves, although Congleton always posed a threat with Conkie being called into action to save from Paul Hudson and Ryan Alcock.

In the closing minutes of an entertaining game Brandon, after Tandy and Ward combined to give him the ball in the six yard box, almost added a third with a cheeky back heel, but Ellison proved equal to the task getting down to save after the ball struck the post.

1874 – Conkie, Connor, Duckworth, Thomas, Aston, Chappell, Jones, Woolley, Brandon (Wellstead 85mins), Ward, Tandy. Subs not used Bailey, Short, Woods, Fossdyke.

CONGLETON – Ellison, Booth (Kirk 72mins), Haynes, Middleton, Alston, Whiteoak (Langford ht), Sephton, Allcoack, Barlow, Rutter (Thompson 81mins), Hudson. Subs not used Killeen, Louis.

GOALS 1874 Ward 20, 43 CONGLETON Barlow 35

ATTENDANCE 281 REFEREE D.Rogers