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VIEW MATCH REPORT
Saturday 11 Feb 2006
Congleton 3 Leek CSOB 2
League Cup: LAST GASP WINNER SEES BEARS THROUGH

Moore & Co Construction Solicitors League Challenge Cup 3rd Rd – Sat 28th Jan 2006

The Bears progressed through to the fourth round of the League Challenge Cup with victory over division two side Leek CSOB. Their reward is a fourth round tie away at second division side Flixton, who now boast a fair number of the old Trafford side.

The score line in this victory looks close and the final minute was full of cup drama. The Bears should have been out of sight by hen, but a spirited fight from Leek CSOB meant that it was always possible for the game to go either way. Terry McCormick made a welcome return in goal and Gary Kenny was preferred at right back. Otherwise, the only issue for manager Paul Moore was which midfield combination to start with. He chose Tommy Baker and Colin Quirk as his starting pair with Seb Krupa and Phil MacDiarmid on the bench. That choice was swiftly vindicated as Quirk gave the Bears a second minute lead. A free kick on the edge of the area was despatched by an accurate shot placed into the top right hand corner with ‘keeper Hall only able to admire the placement.

Fox responded for the visitors with a swerving 25-yard shot that fizzed just over the bar. After that, the Bears slowly took control and bean to apply some concerted pressure. Glover’s free kick was driven at the wall. The ball rebounded to Alston who headed back goalwards. Baker’s first time touch was headed on by Murcott and Skellern was on to the ball like lightning but Hall forced an early shot as he advanced and the ball was turned over the bar. On 20 minutes, Barker had a half chance for Leek but his attempt to chip McCormick ended with the ‘keeper clutching the ball and sending a swift half-volley down the left wing. Williams ran on with the ball down the left before sending in a low cross met by Skellern but the ball was turned straight at Hall. The Bears pressed again and won a corner from which Alston headed goalwards and Peake headed off the line.

Leek had a free kick of their own that brought a promising moment but the driven cross was headed straight at McCormick. Quirk delivered a similarly testing free kick from the left that ended with the defence heading on and behind for a corner. That was swung in under the cross bar but Hall had little trouble in gathering the ball safely. The next attack produced a neat set of passes as Williams exchanged passes with Skellern and the cross was put out for a throw. That was quickly taken and McAllister showed great skills to muscle past his marker close to the goal line before cutting the ball back inches behind the in rushing Houghton. Shortly after, McAllister repeated the performance and again the cross was just too far back.

In a fine spell, McAllister was crating all sorts of problems for the home defence and another of his crosses was volleyed away from goal but only as far as Baker, who controlled in one touch and put in a volley that Hall saved acrobatically diving to his left. As half time approached, the Bears should have extended their lead. McAllister’s strength and ability to hold the ball allowed Skellern to move into space. The pass to the Bears diminutive striker drew Owen across to cover and a first time touch put Quirk clear as he ran into the penalty area but unchallenged and with just Hall to beat, he guided the ball wide of the left hand post. The Bears had to settle for the slender one goal lead but had they led by three, it would have been a fairer reflection on the first 45 minutes.

Cup football being what it is, Leek were clearly still in the game and they opened the second half the stronger, even though Glover’s overlap and pass from Williams ended with a deep cross that Skellern rose to head back across goal but without the power to beat Hall. Leek then had three chances within a three minute spell Glover’s slack pass allowed Leek to mount a counter and Fox was presented with a clear sight of goal from the right wing cross but he headed straight at a grateful McCormick. Almost immediately McCormick was called upon to stand firm and spread himself to keep out a shot from close range. However, he was not so fortunate on 54 minutes as he tried to get to a ball dropping close to the edge of the area and it popped up to allow Fletcher to run on to and guide a gentle header into the unguarded net.

On the hour, Jones replaced Skellern. He was to have a promising debut, combining well with the midfield and generally not wasting possession. Murcott up for a corner, picked up a loose ball and fired a right foot shot over the bar. Houghton showed great tenacity on the right to create room for a cross that should have been attacked by a colleague but Hall was allowed too much time to gather in a ball dropped into space close to goal. It was another 20-yard free kick that was the undoing of the Leek defence on 64 minutes. This time Glover gave the ball a fiercesome thump and a deflection did little to help Hall’s cause and the ball flew into the net. Hambleton was cautioned for remarks made before the restart. On 67 minutes, Krupa replaced Baker. He almost made an immediate impact when letting fly with a powerful left foot shot that deflected off a defender and forced Hall into a terrific save as he backtracked to push the ball over the bar.

Williams then received a caution for some mysterious offence seen or heard only by the assistant. With a quarter hour left, MacDiarmid replaced Houghton. Leek now began to throw caution to the wind as they pressed for an equaliser. Fox delivered an accurate free kick to the head of Owen but he headed straight at McCormick. Barker somehow managed to get in a cross as it looked as if he couldn’t possibly get to the ball before it went out. The ball was met by a superb overhead kick by Fox which could well have tested McCormick’s reactions had the ball not struck Murcott in the face and been cleared. The Bears then regained control and looked as though they would wrap up the game as firstly MacDiarmid created room for a low shot that Hall stopped comfortably and then Krupa clipped in a cross that McAllister headed over from close range.

Reminiscent of games a couple of years ago, the match had a dramatic final minute. Fletcher punished the Bears fro squandering their earlier chances and for failing to deal with a left wing diagonal cross as he turned to shoot low past McCormick into the net at the foot of the left hand post. That looked certain to send the game into extra time but scarcely had the visitor’s cheers died down and the spectators leaving reached the gate before McAllister pounced to drill the ball past Hall at the near post after a raid down the right.

No-one would have begrudged the Bears this win. They certainly had most of the play and created numerous good openings but the never-say-die attitude of the visitors was a credit to them and they played their part in another memorable cup tie at Booth Street.

Team: McCormick, Kenny, Glover, Murcott, Alston A, Baker, Houghton, Quirk, McAllister, Skellern, Williams Subs: McDiarmid, Krupa, Jones

 Source of info is: Internet

Posted by Beartown,Saturday 11 Feb 2006
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