8th April 2017 - Squires Gate 1 v 1 Congleton Town - A cracking morning was spent birding and butterflying around Marton Mere and nearby Stanley Park, it was a lovely do with the sun shining bright in azure skies and 5 early species of butterfly noted along with 30 + bird species and 27 Terrapins. A fine late lunch followed and an easy drive down to the ground where we devoured some grapes whilst listening to the radio. Into the ground and a lengthy sit in the sun with a cup of cha' and a chat with a local bod. The solar orb was still brilliant, the playing surface lush and even and we soaked up the rays and looked forward to a well matched encounter. 3pm came, the latch was lifted and The Gate and The Bears got stuck in to proceedings.
The opening patch of play was active with zest and sweat radiated and an early chance almost falling the way of the hosts when an uncertain back pass was nearly collared by an incoming attacker who was denied by the fresh mittman who mopped up any danger. The guests responded when their No 6 (Paul Bathgate) and No 10 (Callum Gardner) played a great one two that saw the former player just shoot wide - excellent move indeed. The Bears now pushed and after a long ball over the top was gathered a dubious decision on the far side of the pitch led to a long throw from Congleton's Bathgate who found a willing crust that tipped on and duly found the rising bonse of Congo's No 9 (Declan Fletcher). The ball was nutted and crossed the line and suddenly the first goal was notched up. The home fans weren't happy and as a midfield lull ensued the sizzling supporters has time to mull on their apparent misfortune. Squires Gate began to crawl back into the contest but it was the away team that threatened again when their goalscorer Fletcher dinked and dribbled in unorthodox fashion and fired low to make sure the keeper had to sprawl, save and keep his team within touching distance. As The Gate tried the long ball option, Congo tried to play on the deck, but both teams were squandering opportunities primarily down to a lack of killing accuracy and a certain calmness of thought.
The next opportunity came the Congleton way when their No 11 (Ryan Hibbert) was released and put in a 50/50 situation with the keeper. The striker was there first but the firm shot from an acute angle only found the side netting. Following this a long ball came and Fletcher tried a lob - it was appalling to say the least but the threat was still rising and Hibbert had another effort soon after, this one just curling wide. One way traffic indeed and Fletcher once again rattled a shot in but the keeper was solid and kept his net from rippling for a second time. As the half drew towards a close The Gate cultivated a renaissance with Charlie Waters having a couple of tame efforts but emitting a warning signal to the opponents that the game was far from dead and buried and despite being on the back foot, The Squires still had a shout! Would The Bears take heed? A last minute corner for SG was nutted forth and a clearance came but applause for the late flourish was given - game on. The ref blew, we were frazzling in the sun so after a cup of tea and a hot dog to the opposite side of the ground we went.
So to the second half and Congleton had a quick corner that caused mayhem in the box but which, in turn, led to a rapid counterattack that was, justifiably, called offside. A good bout of home side pressure came, a free kick should have produced something positive but all it did was lead to another breakaway that saw Scott Sephton of Congleton play a majestic through ball that was duly crossed and saw Fletcher steam in and smack the side netting. Great counterpunch indeed. Deja vu occurred moments later as The Squires had a free kick that resulted in another break with Fletcher at it again, shooting hard and making the keeper save and knock the ball against the post and behind. From the ensuing corner came a period of Congleton pressure that saw much perspiration and fluster but no immediate result. Squires Gate were holding their own here and when Tarren Moxon had a snap shot he was certainly most unfortunate not to find the much sought after target. A brace of Gate attacks were led by Charlie Waters who was trying his best to invigorate his side and work an opening but Congleton dug in deep and when Fletcher hoofed a shot forth, with a slight deflection had, it was only the quick witted keeper who stood his ground and kept this match competitive.
The Squires now pushed, Moxon again showing great pace but denied at the last. Congleton hit back, a cross ball was missed by all and could have ended up anywhere, fortunately for the home birds it ended up in the meat of the keepers carcass. 10 minutes left, some odd decisions by the referee brought uproar from the Gate bench. A penalty claim saw tonsils scorched and the blue language level reach a new zenith - it was all getting too much for some. Suddenly, with a minute left, Squires Gate tossed in a corner, a shot came and the upright was thumped. The ball was loose and another shot came, the sea of bodies parted, wallop - the equaliser was grabbed, the hard working Connor Smith got the fruits of his labour and was mobbed by his comrades. The tide had turned and we were up for a grand finale but the time had turned too and the whistle peeped after a few more kicks and we were done. A just finish to a game that saw the balance shift and both teams have a good crack of the whip. Man of the Match today goes to Congleton's No 9 (Declan Fletcher), an old fashioned centre forward who works hard, was a total handful throughout and was unlucky not to get more than one goal - a good rugged effort methinks.
FINAL THOUGHT - A great day out this and a grand ground visited. A really good set up that gave birth to a match that was hard fought, competitive and thoroughly justified in being a draw. I think next year both sides will flourish further as long as fortune shows good favour and a hard work ethic is had. Squires Gate have some good pace and one or two quality players that seem settled on the ball and liable to cultivate a chance from nothing as long as their comrades find space and offer options. Congleton Town are a good side who seem to just under-perform at times and trying to pinpoint why this is is no easy task. Luck and just that killer instinct are perhaps two causal agents but I think something is destined to click and a good run of form will be had - here's hoping. And that is that, a good day out at The Brian Addison Stadium for (the head calculates quickly) £19 - that's two people in, a programme, 3 cups of tea, a can of pop and a Hot-Dog - oh you Blackpool based buggers, what are ye waiting for?
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