TABLE TOP TROUNCING

24th November 2018 - Congleton Town 3 v 0 City of Liverpool - A last minute change of plan was had today as I was drawn by the charms of the best Non-League chips to cross my greedy northern pig palette and the obvious intrigue of a top of the table clash.   I didn't expect too many goals but what I did expect was a hard contested game, on a precipice til the end with the best team coming out on top.   Myself and my grand lady set off in good time, breezed down quicker than a bare-arsed Chubby Checker on a bob-sleigh run and upon arrival pounced upon a tray of chips each and a cuppa.   As we filled the bellies with warm victuals we chatted with a wonderful official who told us about his work at the ground, how much he had put in and how he felt it was a worthy cause - the backbone of all that transpires these people - what a joy to hear of their efforts.  After a lengthy wait the ground started to fill up and the game gradually got going.  I was already slightly chilled, there were many purple helmets in attendance, I was hoping one more would not stand out too much - mind you, in this weather I think I need not have been too concerned!

From the off The Bears were on it, No 7 (Bevan Burey) contributed highly to the first advance with a good run finalised with a foul.  A played advantage would have been a better option but there ya go.  The ball came in, brief mayhem ensued and a chance to shoot let slip.   The hosts continued to dictate the tempo, never fully allowing their opponents to settle.  Several zipping crosses, a few more free-kicks and some good passing all maintained the upperhand with No 8 (Dean Warburton) the next to come close with a pace riddled shot just whizzing shy of the upright.  Another foray forth followed, the slick and speedy interplay was splendid, 5 - 6 passes and No 10 (Thomas Schofield) ended up with the ball at his feet.   The head went down, the wriggling run was had, defender's were left bewildered and when only the goalkeeper was left to beat the man of the moment kept cool and sent in a quite splendid shot.  The ball hit the onion bag, the crowd roared, it had been coming, the outcome was fully deserved.  Within a spasm of a second the Purps went forth and looked to bounce back, they were defied by a wonderful overhead clearance and a swift counter.  The ball went out wide, was flung into the box and Schofield was inches away from doubling his personal tally and his sides advantage. The travelling pack looked stunned, they tried to get a foot in the doorway of this game.  A corner came with No 5 (Daniel Dalton) knocking over at the far post and then No 8 (Jack Hazelhurst) weaving in, supplying No 9 (Tom Peterson) who side-footed but had his shot deflected wide.  Congo would not lie down though, a long goal kick found Warburton who controlled, turned and released only to be denied by the keeper's awaiting carcass - unlucky squire!

This was a fascinating encounter, the COL crew were on the rack and were finding that life at the top isn't one bed of roses.   They duly dug deep and came on, a headed attempt by No 6 (Anthony Brown) was firmly held by the keeper and at the other end No 9 (Daniel Cope) put crust on ball but could only witness the same outcome. Burey was next to cause mayhem as The Bears pressed with untold fervour.   The flank was run, a sharp cross forced the visiting No 1 (Ben Ascroft) to dive low and slap away, the incoming striker only just missed the netting! Straight back up the opposite end we went, Dalton had another header held by the mittman and then a long ball found the nut of No 10 (Jamie McDonald) who glanced on into the path of a galloping Peterson.  The strike beckoned, the shank was swung, the home netman sprawled and saved with athletic prowess.  Congo broke once more, a foul was forced and Cope slapped the dead ball over - a shame, it was worthy of more.  Into the final minute we went, The Purple Pack tried to perspire their way back in, it was to no avail, as they dashed forth the ball was pilfered and a stunning pass from Warburton dismantled the visiting defense and allowed No 11 (Emini Adegbenro) to nip in, take a quick peek and double the lead in pure glossed up style.  The half came to an end soon after - wow man, what a performance for the black and white platoon!

We stayed put for half-time and chatted to a home fan.   A ruddy nice chap who, by chance, knew one of my punk comrades (Lee of Vomit).  We were both in agreement that this had been some performance by the home tribe but also reckoned that the City of Liverpool would come out a different proposition for the second half - this is what happened folks!

A blazing start saw crosses come at both ends with no end result.  From here both teams tried to stay patient but Congo had a sortie with Adegbenro trying one at the angle and then Cope turning and shooting to bring out a quite solid save.  Cope finalised the next burst of pressure by sending in a sublime bender.   The keeper kept his eye on the ball and plucked from the air with satisfying grace.  There was no rest for the wretched though and a shot from Warburton was a rasping beauty and needed a firm tip over the horizontal to keep this game competitive. The corner produced sweet FA and as darkness set in one wondered how the hell would City of Liverpool get back into this one.  No 7 (Joseph Holt) tried a slap shot, it wasn't even close, it kinda summed up his teams day!  Next and the Purps penetrated, a free-kick created in-box disarray, a last gasp clearance came, the ball flew long, Cope was found just passed the halfway line and duly turned and galloped.  The focus was pure, the pistons pumping quicker than a randy rhino on Viagra.  There was still plenty to do when 'wallop' - the globe was belted forth and the net bulged like the trousers of Stan Ogden in a brewery!  This was some goal, it was a cherry on a cream-filled cake, nay a tattoo of triumph on the muscular buttocks of the Ursine Army - kiss that!  

Now matters settled as the Congo contained and suffocated and now and again had a few passing sequences the crowd duly cheered along to.  Fair's fair though and the COL lads never gave up the ghost, No 12 (David Forbes) came close with a jab that just crept wide. From here the game went through the motions with no real threat coming to the Congleton clean sheet.  Forbes had a shot deflected over for the visitors and McDonald went into the book.  The Bears should have bagged a fourth when their substitute No 12 (Saul Henderson) worked the end line and sent in a low laser-like cross that No 15 (John Main) was unfortunate not to bury.  Eventually that was that, the hosts went off to a resounding ovation and for me, their Man of the Match goes to No 5 (Thomas Morris) who I thought was absolutely solid at the back, played with a cool brow and reliability and gave his team a resolute central pivot on which to build and work from.  In truth any player from the home pack could have got the nod, this was just one example that caught my eye.  Me and the misses pootled off home and were quite pleased with the game we had witnessed - surely one of the best home performances witnessed this year!

FINAL THOUGHT - Another jaunt to the Giver Congo, with 3 goals splashed our way and sent home delighted that the league is still competitive and could still go any way.  City of Liverpool were caught with their trousers down today and given a real test they just couldn't find the answers to.  For me, as they were before the season began, they are still favourites to win this league due to the fact they have a good depth in quality and play with such consistency that they are always going to be grabbing points here and there.  Today however it was all about Congleton, a team now sitting 5 points behind top spot and having put in a shift of quite mesmerizing proportions.  The chips were down, the time to shine was now, it was a day that was perhaps, in many ways - shit or bust!  The lads came good and did so in a dominating fashion.  They will hopefully continue the trend to make this campaign one that will go to the wire.  There are many good teams in this league though, some that will pick up better form as the season unfolds so both The Purps and The Bears had best be on their toes (or claws in the latter case) and make sure focus is set to level 'max'.  I shall be hopefully viewing both teams again fairly soon, will the chasing pack be closing in or will matters transpire that this is a two-horse race - fill out your betting slips...now!