Congleton Town are back under the floodlights at home on a Tuesday night, and after a fantastic performance on Saturday afternoon away from home, where they beat Atherton Collieries 4-3 with a last minute George Sankey goal.
They will be hoping for more sparks and fireworks tonight because of course it is Bonfire night after all.
Entering the Bear Pit tonight are a team that haven’t really got going so far in the league, in Hednesford town although a good FA Cup run saw them beat a tough Gateshead United. But unfortunately went out on Saturday after the FA decided to scrape the replay’s (which is an awful decision for the non league and lower league clubs)
They will be hoping to put things right this evening.
Team News:
Richard Duffy starts for the Bears this evening along with George Sankey, Matthew Gillam and Joshua Hall. Max Mccarthy, Darren Chadwick on the bench. With no Dan Needham in the squad this evening.
There is a misty Haze in the air and little droplets of rain as is the case for any Bonfire night.
A minute silence is held to remember all of those that have fallen and fought for our country THANK YOU ?
First half:
Hednesford Town win the toss and decide to turn the teams.
A huge early chance from the bears forces the keeper into a save a good effort by George Sankey. And Ethan hartshorn with the follow up shot is blocked off the line and away.
The first 8 minutes of this game has been all Congleton pressing high trying to pressure the goal keeper.
Another chance for the bears Kieran garner knapper does really well brings the ball in from out wide. finds space in the middle and forces the keeper to make a safe.
The rebound shot is saved but the keeper nearly lets it in. But it’s just kept in by the post.
This time Hednesford attack and it’s a fantastic save by Dave Parton who tips it over the bar. The ball has stayed in the Congleton half since the corner but they Hednesford can’t do anything with it.
A well worked corner sees Parton make another good save the shot had abit of power behind it.
Kieran garner knapper is on fire down the side sees another shot saved by the keeper. 2 corners in a row had the Hednesford defence panicking.
Congleton did well to keep the ball close to the Hednesford penalty box but it was good work by Hednesford. It’s a fantastic game so far.
George Sankey is fouled on the edge of the box. The Bears faithful want a red but the referee gives a yellow. Pete Williams takes the free kick and it’s a superb save by the goalkeeper.
The bears keep the pressure on forces the goalkeeper to make some great saves. In one of the attackers the Hednesford defender gets flattened by the keeper. There is a stoppage in play.
PENALTY FOR THE BEARS! ⚽️?
The Hednesford Defender palms the ball away from the corner he is only given a yellow card. Shocking decision!
Up steps Pete Williams and finshes it off nicely with power!
1-0 Congleton Town
Half time: Congleton Town 1-0 Hednesford Town
What a first half of football that was. It was end to end at times but Congleton were the much better team. The Bears faithful had to deal with a shocking referee decision, how the Hednesford defender who palmed the ball away from a corner is still on the pitch is beyond me! Only picked up a yellow.
Second half:
Hednesford town are on the ropes in the early stages of the second half again.
But have come into the game a lot more and creating chances and having lots of the ball.
Sub for the bears Matt gilam comes off on comes Lewis Porter
GOOOAAAAL ❌
Fantastic work by George Sankey takes the shot on its saved and Pete Williams takes the shot and sankey taps it in but the flag is up.
Sub for the bears George Sankey off on comes Darren Chadwick to sure things up at the back.
Delay in the match as the referee goes down to get some treatment. We shall see if it lasts.
In the closing stages it’s all Hednesford attack after attack. Dave Parton and the 5 men defence doing excellently to keep the ball away from the goal.
Full time:
Congleton Town 1-0 Hednesford Town
Another solid defensive display see’s the Bears pick up another 3 points on home turf. It was a very nervy second half as Hednesford town came out hunting. But we held on and got the points.
Next up for the bears is Mossley away on Saturday, followed by Crewe Alex away on Tuesday night in the Cheshire Senior cup.
Man of the match: Dave Parton
He was outstanding tonight and kept us with the clean sheet and the win.
Attendance: 491
Thanks once again for Reading
COME ON YOU BEARS!
⚽️???
LIAM DONNELLY
CONGLETON RADIO