The game began, the home team pressed first with an accurate cross destined for the incoming No 7 (Stan Tatters) but the defending No 4 (Paul Meadows) was up with the lark and put in a sterling header. A kick from the angle was played short, No 3 (Richie Booth) blasted but could only fire into the clement evening air. Another quick move was fluent, made up of 3 sharp passes and finalised by a dig just off line. Things were warming up quite nicely when the guests sprang their first attack with a ball out wide duly rifled into the box that the flashing No 2 (Stephen Ashton) just couldn't nudge home. Another thrust came for The Saints, No 9 (Kieren Curtis) displayed great movement, No 3 (Brad Green) gathered out on the flank, put in an acute cross with No 10 (John Pilkington) galloping towards the back post and arriving just too late. Congleton now brushed themselves down after these hair-raising scares, a few 50/50 decisions went their way and helped the cause and then a decent move came with No 9 (Brandon Moores) at the latter end and putting forth a real bruising shot that once more failed to stay on line. Straight down the other end we went, the visitors were hustling, a cute through ball found No 8 (Jake Arkell) who instantaneously touched goalward only to be denied by a sprawling mittman - this was a very incessant and rewarding game, the impetus was high, the action unending, all we needed now was a goal.
As the tempo was maintained, The Vale started to hold the territorial advantage with the first strike nearly had when a St Helen's defender saw his clearance charged down and the ball fall to the alert
The final flings of the first period saw the guests win a corner after their Ashton had exhibited some rather sweet tootsies. The ball in was way too long and a follow-on free-kick and corner were both lacking in true accuracy. Congleton had one last push, a bonus dig saw a travelling defender nearly put the ball into his own net and then, after 2 more corners, we were done.
Myself and my good lady spent the break doing a cryptic crossword which I duly completed later that night. 'I twice bent my willy backwards to the shouts of Goody Goody' had me troubled and 'The erect umpire had trouble with his arse' nearly caught me out but after working the cranial gunk the answers were discovered and my pen filled in the appropriate squares.
The second half began with more great earnest, The Vale rushed,
With great gusto the game progressed, Beuhler for The Vale jumped on a defensive error and had only the keeper to beat. A block came, a free-kick eventually ensued, Cook struck and was only slightly shy of the far upright. Suddenly St Helens summoned themselves, a powerful surge caught the hosts on the hop, No 7 (Liam Houghton) collected and hit a lovely bender, the ball curved and found the inside of the post, what a sugar-sweet shocker, what a way to get his teams hopes revived! Once again, the hosts responded, a free-kick was smartly delivered, Cook rose and applied a power header, it was a shame to see the effort flash over the horizontal. The trailing team struck back, two shots were blocked, a corner knocked away and belted back by the alert Ashton - inches wide.
Into the last 10 minutes, St Helens were making a good effort to get back in this one, Congleton Vale were earning their crust the hard way although two poor free-kicks from the guest gloved guardian nearly awarded the hosts a couple of bonus goals. Both duff digs came back with interest, both failed to hit the mark and then M. Houghton at the other end nipped in and sent in a low shot that was also off-line - by heck, the shooting boots were certainly lacking in accuracy tonight. The finale remained hectic, The Saints came mighty close when a dangerous ball in was somehow bumbled behind at the very last whilst right at the death another stunning cross came the same way but the home No 5 (Jack Clews) stood strong, stood proud and snuffed out the imminent peril. And that was that folks, a cracking match and one heavily pregnant with much productive endeavour. Man of the Match for me goes to Congleton Vale's No 11 (Oliver Griffiths) for a relentless running game, a general awareness that allowed him to pick out several neat passes and a willingness to run forward and backward when the need arose. Note must also be made that the lad was on the receiving end of some hard but fair tackles and duly got up, dusted himself down and played on without complaint - that I hope will be rewarded and will help him have a good and respectful career - well done that man.
FINAL THOUGHT - And what a ruddy good night out this was. The weather was spot on, the crowd small but very keen, the commitment by all players at this late stage in the season highly applaudable and the consistent animation and competitiveness a true testament to the Cheshire League and all involved. I thought both teams were well matched but the hosts did deserve the end 3 points (just). The only aspects both sides need to work on is their finishing, this could have been a game of umpteen goals had the sharp-shooters been more composed and more brutal in front of goal. Having said that, this was a fast paced, balls-out game and played in good spirit by all. Both units have had an average season but there is an abundance of promise on show and note has been made to catch up with them both several times during the next campaign. Before then though I have the hosts pencilled in at an away game at Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds - now that could be interesting to say the least and if the match is as good as this I will have no complaints. PS - the answers to the half-time cryptic clues I was struggling to get to grips with are 'Bon-bon' and 'Rectum' - I think the compiler may also have a problem.
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