1st April 2017 - Congleton Town 0 v 1 Ashton Athletic - Frustration was the key emotion today with the April showers piddling on plans, the home phone on the blink, my website package not loading and a strain in my groin and hip giving me untold gyp. Add to this the previous night's football excursion, which saw the match abandoned halfway through and the forthcoming evening's gig having several pull-outs and minor niggles then I think my nipples were fully justified in becoming a trifle narked. Oh and before I forget I was due to be a so-called glamorous assistant to the magician known as Dangerous Dave, an act I had bunged on the planned noise fiasco as a DIY experiment and, as per, to keep all angles moving. Anyhoo, me and my good lady cracked on, seeing that the planned match was rained off we decided on a trip down the Congo as I had informed her what a good day out it is and what grand chips they provide (tis all about the art of persuasion you know). We arrived in good time via a ska-assisted journey and after a jaunt into town hit the ground and purchased the chips and the tea and chose our viewing position. Despite a flatulent man in the food queue allowing the rectum to rumble our appetites remained unfazed and the chips and tea were spot on. In fact we nearly dozed off in a satisfied slumber before a ball had been kicked which would have been quite embarrassing to say the least. Chits and chats with a few good folk and the teams came out into the clement climes - the game then began in earnest.
First promise was shown by the Congo Crew after their physical No 9 (Declan Fletcher) forced room, passed and watched his colleague unload but strike his player instead of the net. Ashton reacted and won a corner that led to a shot being cracked wide which was paid back with the Town having their own corner which saw the crust of Callum Jones connect and the keeper produced a ruddy good save. Alas for the home bods Ashton now began to gain territory with several balls lobbed into the box but not latched onto. Responses came via the odd foray forth but this was a tight match and glimpses of goal were a rare commodity. A break for Ashton saw a cross ball run across the face of the goal but attackers were absent and the score sheet stayed bare. A lull manifested itself but Congleton's Fletcher rattled in a wild shot and kept the oppositions defence honest. Ashton's No 11 looked a persistent menace and operated along the flanks with troublesome ease and after he let loose with a fine cross it was a disappointment to see there were no takers of the offer.
A sub for the Bears, The Sweeney were called for (I'll have that slag Jack Regan) and immediately a couple of chances came at either end and passed by in the blinking of a bloodshot eye - we needed a sizzler to smash the stalemate. Suddenly, after some patient and accurate build-up play by Ashton, Congleton seemed to become semi-paralysed and stood off and allowed the ball to creep further and further forth. Ashton's Paul Watson had sniffed an opportunity and as soon as the ball was at his feet he slammed home with authority and got the Athletic a well-deserved lead. The Ashes were now glowing and a swift follow up attack was had with a great looping cross dropping at the feet of their No 8 who, only 4 feet out, slammed the ball wide, much to his consternation. The Bears fought back at the latter end of the half but a certain cohesion was lacking and thoughts of an equalising strike seemed a fantastical dream. The ref blew, my kind lady got in the brews and the frustrated home fans welcomed the respite.
Tea and a natter and hopes for something better in the following period of play.
The second half saw Congleton start with more zest but Ashton were a well-drilled unit at the back and displayed a distinct unity and awareness. Good desire was shown by the home teams No 6 (Richard Bailey) who helped keep the tide just turning and allow his team to push a little further forward. Congo's No 3 (Lee Jackson) delivered a brace of early crosses with no end result but things were looking rosier than they did in the first 45. Congleton's closest effort came soon after when Jackson swung in a tasty free-kick and Scott Sephton rose to tup goalward and if it wasn't for a quality save from the opposing No 1 we would have been all square and had a battle on our eager mitts. Another fast charge for the home squad saw their No 6 exhibit great urgency and find his No 9 (Fletcher) who was unceremoniously bungled to the floor inside the box and awaited a penalty decision. Nothing doing and when Ashton's No 11 (Marcus Cusani) pilfered the ball at the other end and shot low it was Congo's netter who did the business and stopped much salt being rubbed in a recently opened wound. Minutes later and The Bears found the net, at ruddy last. Ryan Hibbert rippled the mesh but a push was ruled and a booking instead of a great cheer was given - it was just being one of those days.
The game was heading into the final stretch and Ashton were stifling their opponents and being stubbornly organised. Despite this, Congleton's Lee Jackson found time and space to put in some good work and send in another cross that Ryan Hibbert nutted over. Another cross came, this time Jackson was the recipient but his volley went straight at the goalie who collected the ball right in the meat of his body. Moments later Jackson was through again and really should have shot on sight but dawdled and chose to pass and the chance was most definitely lost. It was Bear fever now, but Ashton stayed cool and kept the threat suppressed and in truth the visitors were unlucky not to double their lead after some lax defending allowed the substitute to have a sneak at goal but alas misfire. The game wound down, Congleton were frantic but out of sync and when the referee blew one couldn't argue with the outcome. Man of the Match today, Ashton Athletics No 7 (Daniel Regan) who quietly but confidently got on with the game, had a discipline about him and a sagacious reading of the game that relieved much pressure - a definite asset to his squad.
FINAL THOUGHT - Congleton is one of the nicest grounds you can visit with the best chips and just a good all round atmosphere. The team deserve mention as their attitude on the pitch is highly commendable and they play the game in a good manner with a good rapport with their fans (always crucial). They are out of sorts at the moment, these things happen but they have an attitude that will get them through this sticky patch and onto better things. Ashton Athletic are tighter than a wasp's jockstrap and don't seem to give too much away. I thought they were very solid today and surely only a bit of tweaking here and there, and perhaps an injection of pace somewhere, will propel them into greener pastures. Overall the game wasn't classic but it brought much to ponder and at a ground I am growing increasingly fond of!
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