This Is Cheshire

AWAY DAY NIGHTMARE FOR CONGLETON

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 4th Oct 2001.

LOWLY Congleton Town had a nightmare afternoon on Saturday as they were thrashed 5-1 at Prescot Cables.

The Bears were without eight players for the league clash, and lost another after Johnston was given his marching orders.

In form Prescot pressed from the start, and Garforth proved a constant threat throughout the match.

His first run at the Congleton defence saw him fire in a low drive which stand-in keeper Roberts got down quickly to push aside.

He recovered well to block an effort by striker O'Neill.

Band and Baker combined well for the Bears, and a cross into the box picked out Beasley, whose goalbound shot produced an excellent save from keeper Dahl.

Baker headed a Beasley cross wide, and Kirk headed a corner back into the goal mouth, where the ball ran free to Dahl, when only a touch was needed to score.

Prescot took the lead on 29 minutes, O'Neill curling a shot round a group of players and inside the post.

The home side doubled their lead when Kearney was caught napping, allowing Garforth to steal the ball and cross into the penalty area

Benson swung a foot, and the ball sailed over a crowd of players into the top corner.

Prescot made it 3-0 10 minutes into the second half when O'Neill met a long cross from the left.

He back-headed the ball over his marker and the stranded keeper Roberts.

Johnston and O'Neill were sent off after becoming involved in a tussle which ended with both players wrestling on the ground.

Byrne forced Dahl into a flying save with a tremendous free kick from 30 yards which curled round the defensive wall.

Another free kick was headed out to Byrne, whose header was picked up by Baker, who nipped in to steer the ball past the advancing Dahl.

However Prescot restored their three-goal lead almost immediately, a quick counter leaving three attackers on one defender as Garforth fired home from 10 yards.

Prescot were finding plenty of space down the flanks, and hit their fifth with just two minutes left.

A superb tackle ended a run by Riley, only for Garforth to pick up the loose ball and guide it home inside the post.

"With the devastating list of missing players we were very stretched, and did well to keep within touching distance for three-quarters of the match," said Congleton treasurer Ken Mead.

O'Boyle scored twice on Thursday in his debut for the Bears as they beat Lostock Gralam 2-0 in the Cheshire Senior Cup.

The Bears went down 1-0 at home to Winsford on Tuesday night in the league, the only goal coming on 14 minutes.

Congleton play Maine Road at home tonight at 7.45pm in a match rearranged because of tomorrow's crucial England World Cup qualifier against Greece.

Archive Home