20th October 2020 - Congleton Town 1 v 0 Hanley Town - It seems like an age since myself and my wonderful wife were last at this chosen ground tonight and we were very much looking forward to settling in and watching 2 teams battle out, what looked on paper, a very competitive contest. This is one of our favourite haunts with the chips and tea a most important part of the visit due to them being, as stated on several occasions, the best in the NWCFL. We indulged once more, picked a nice sitting point, scoffed and slurped and nattered about art, the upcoming game and our daughter who is a busy bee and, just like her parents, trying to be decent, put back and pootle on. The teams warmed up, a crowd gathered and then prior to kick-off we are requested to don a mask to watch the game. We duly moved to a standing point rather than smother ourselves and so hoped that the rain would stay away and most of the match would be battled out near to our new viewing position - we don't ask for much in life!
So the game got underway, Hanley attired in dashing grey were the first unit to trespass into territory labelled danger as a 3 pass sequence was finalised by No 11 (Daniel Needham) who, despite having a space, could only place his shot into the abdomen of the awaiting keeper. The Congleton response took a few minutes to fully brew and eventually came via No 9 (Aaron Johns) who darted, let fly with great impetus and forced the mittman to make a quite smart save. The game grew in pace and, may it be said, tetchiness, which was far from conducive in making for a free-flowing and attractive game. Hanley managed to garner 3 corners on the bounce, each one was efficiently dealt with by the home pack and a breakthrough didn't look like coming any time soon.
Hanley came once again, a superb crossball found Needham who dashed, hammered the ball across the face of goal only for the two incoming belfries to arrive just a fraction of a second too late. True chances now became like a first edition copy of Arthur Runcibles 'The History of the Spoon' - a rare thing indeed with Hanley shading matters and looking the most likely to score but with Congleton rigid in defence and keeping matters tight. Despite the home team's close marshalling Hanley came again, No 8 (Callum Feeney) dashed and ended up on the floor inside the box. A penalty shout was had, it seemed to be given and then taken away - one set of players were livid, the other offered great applause to the officials - can you guess which was which? Ooh the twisted buggers.
The affair now became a little too feisty for its own good with many players using their gobs rather than their feet and not helping the flow of the contest. The hosts eventually had a flourish, a shot blazed from the midst of the action but the save that followed was more than adequate. Again the reborn home pack came, some brisk passing resulted in No 9 (Aaron Johns) walloping from fairly close in, again the No 1 (Adam Lawrence) did enough and tipped neatly over. A corner followed, all heads were missed once more - were we destined for another lowly scoring game.
The half ended with more niggles and a lack of expression on the globe, I was hoping the second period would see the noggins get more zoned in and both teams go for the full-on win.
It was too far to get a brew for half-time, we suspected there would be a queue and besides we couldn't be arsed to move. To add, of late I had been starved of goals, my footballing gut was rumbling and I needed a feast from the onion bag - surely this wasn't going to be a strike free bullet, no wonder I didn't have enough energy to purchase a liquid dipped bag.
The teams came out for period two, the home lads had a renewed vitality and went about their work more quietly (it was good to see). A corner was earned, No 8 (Jonathan Beaumont) had the ball at his feet, the shot failed to come quick enough and when it did a firm block was made. Another shot came, another body got in the way - the action was building, hold on tight ya buggers,
Hanley pounced next, the move was sweet, No 7 (Tom Ashton) led a break, a cut back was cleared with No 8 (Callum Feeney) sending forth a howler that went inches over the bar. The game was on a 50/50 tightrope, one goal would certainly win this one but who the Hell would bag it. Congo burst a scrotal sac next, a low ball into the box met the cranium of No 5 (Richard Duffy) but his neck lacked the multi-jointed assets of a Barn Owl and the ball was sent wide. Hanley looked a trifle rattled but kept their heads on the job and looked to sneak a poke at goal. Ashton did have a punt but the effort was weak and never in danger of bulging the meshing.
Flying forth next were the hosts, No 10 (Jordan Johnson) lashed over and then No 8 Beaumont executed a cute dummy, Johnson was on it and his cross was unfortunate not to be touched home by the incoming No 12 (Daniel Cope). Soon after this close call a coming together in the corner saw No 3 (Jonathan Swale) get sent off for the hosts. It was a moment of embarrassing madness - if Congleton ended up losing this, this was the man to blame.
This was now a good game of football, there was little in it with a penalty shout for Congleton waved away and a Hanley header from a free kick not finding the target area. Soon after and a corner was won by the resident pack due to impeccable work by Beaumont. The ball was sent from the angle, the keeper grabbed with ease and then seemingly clobbered an opposing player and was given his marching orders. As per, the only virus to be truly afraid of is 'insanity' - tonight we witnessed two folk who were truly struck down with it. To rub salt in a gaping wound a penalty was given and in the 94th minute at that. If the ball was buried that would be it and after the previous night's last minute 1 - 0 penalty win I had a strong sense of Deja Vu to say the least. So, up stepped No 17 (Aaron Bott), the man between the sticks was now the Hanley Sub Joseph Thomspon - who would be the end of game hero. The answer, Bott, who stroked the ball home with good pace and brought great joy to his teammates and the home fans. A few kicks later the game was over - by heck The Bears had left it late. Man of the Match was a tough choice but I thought Congleton Town's No 8 (Jonathan Beaumont) had a solid game, put himself about, had good ground coverage and made one or two select runs in the midst of some quick action. Job done.
We nipped off sharpish after the game, a slight chill had set in and we were fagged. We had avoided a goalless draw again...just. Things are getting too close for comfort.
FINAL THOUGHT - The game tonight was of two halves I thought. The first was marred by too much griping, name calling and a lack of focus which really affected both teams. The second half was more like it with a well-fought tussle had between two units perfectly balanced. Hanley look a fair bet to hold their own again this season and are pretty solid throughout. I couldn't judge them too harshly on their sharpness in front of goal tonight as they were marked well and given little in the way of a direct opportunity. It has been a while since I visited their ground, maybe I have an excuse to do so again and give a clearer verdict. Congleton Town frustrate, one always expects them to do better than they do but they seem to fall short of the mark. Tonight they spluttered in part, flowed like molten larva in others and, if they keep their heads on the game, stick to the basics and keep on galloping with belief they may have their best finish for a goodly while. A final minute penalty is perhaps the touch of luck needed to light the touchpaper and send the team on a good roll - I see they are playing Avro next - that will be a tough one, I will be watching mighty closely and in the meantime, look forward to my next trip down here and of course, to caning another tray of chips!
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