Nantwich Town 1
Congleton Town 0
League (NW Counties League Div 1)

Match Report

THE BEAR NECESSITIES

Nantwich Town 1, Congleton Town 0
NWCFL Division 1, 24 April 2004

Nantwich saved their best for last, snatching a late victory thanks to a thundering 25 yard half volley from midfielder Lee Hughes. The goal left Congleton devastated and their slender promotion dreams in shreds. Hughes’ decisive strike came at the end of a second period that had seen the Bears control the match but the necessities in football are goals – not possession.
Steve Davis was again outstanding as the home rearguard stood firm and the visitors paid the ultimate price for failing to convert their domination into clear cut chances.
Stuart Heeps comfortably dealt with the long range strikes that Congleton were restricted to and, when he was beaten, the woodwork came to Nantwich’s rescue. In fact, Congleton came closest to scoring in a first half that was even stevens. Five minutes before the interval, Heeps punched away a corner but when Hughes failed to complete the clearance, Danny Worthington was on hand to unleash a blistering strike that Heeps superbly tipped over the crossbar. Earlier, Jamie McVey was at full stretch to deny Tim Alexander’s 20 yard low drive but the visiting custodian was a virtual spectator in the second period as Congleton started to turn the screw.
Michael Scully looked the most likely to bag three points for the Bears in their promotion bid and Michael Owen also came close but was blocked by Heeps who narrowed the angle. Ten minutes from time, Heeps make a decent save as Scully again forged forward and chanced his luck from the edge of the area.
Then, with stoppage time beckoning, Chris Burke headed away Danny Griggs’ corner but Hughes was ready to pounce 25 yards out from goal and after bringing the ball under control, the youngster smashed an unstoppable half volley that had the flying McVey clutching at thin air.
It was a cruel blow to Congleton but a fitting finale to a game played in the right spirit which, unusually for a derby tussle, saw the referee keep his notebook in his pocket for the whole game – except, of course, to scribble in the name ‘Hughes’ on 90 minutes.

Nantwich Heeps, Hall, Gardiner (Parkinson,73), Davis, Jardine, Alexander, Hughes, Knight, Lawton (Caines,55), Griggs, Melling (Gleghorn,82).
Congleton McVey, Pitts (Johnson,78), Rudkin, Burke, Reilly, Owen, Ellis, Bickerstaffe, Worthington, Scully, Williams (Sturridge,77).

PHOTO: Congleton's Chris Burke heads clear

Match report written by Michael Chatwin