Congleton off the mark for the new Season
On Saturday Congleton Mens 1st XI travelled to St. Helens to renew old acquaintances, after both teams were promoted the previous season. An early start was scheduled so that both teams could watch the international football, and, luckily for Congleton, St. Helens were still asleep for the first quarter of the game.
Congleton started brightly with Chris Lawton in particular causing havoc in the St. Helens defence with his speed on the ball. It was Lawton who opened the scoring in only the second minute after a run at the heart of the defence was finished off by a superb snap shot from a tight angle. St. Helens appeared shell-shocked by this and failed to gain a grasp of the Congleton front line as Lawton quickly made the score 2 - 0, after a clever run by Simon Brown left Lawton with a clear shot from the top of the 'D', from which he made no mistake.
Congleton were now playing with confidence, but St. Helens still looked capable of getting a goal back on the break, and they would have scored had it not been for a double save from Congleton keeper Andy Farr after a weak clearance from the Congleton defence had put them in trouble. However, Congleton were still looking dangerous and the score was 3 - 0 after 15 minutes when Simon Brown scored following a mazy run into the St. Helens 'D' from Chris Lawton. Unfortunately, Congleton seemed to go to sleep for the remainder of the first half, and St. Helens pulled a goal back from a well-worked penalty corner. Congleton were guilty of giving the ball away too often in their own half, and half time was reached with the score a rather nervy 3 - 1 in favour of Congleton.
St. Helens started the second half much as Congleton had started the first, and the Blues were penned back into their own half for much of the first 15 minutes. However, Lee Royall was his usual hard-working self, and Duncan Edmunds made some telling interceptions and clearances from right back, and, with the support of Danny Oakes and Dave Sandhu, they managed to restrict St. Helens to only one goal in their spell of sustained pressure. The game was once again in the balance at 3 - 2, but a few good saves from Andy Farr, and the reintroduction of Chris Lawton, who had been off the field, helped to bring Congleton back into the game. Phil Ludlow and Richard Hughes started to exert more pressure on the St. Helens back line and this lead to a fourth goal as a St. Helens defender diverted the ball into his own net.
The game settled down once Congleton regained their two goal advantage, and there were no further additions to the score as Congleton emerged worthy winners by four goals to two. This was Congleton's first victory of the new season after they lost their opening game away to Urmston the week before, and hopefully the Blues can build on this in the next few months to cement their place in division 4 following last season's promotion.
Chris Lawton was named man of the match for his tireless work and double strike, but mention must be made of Steve Danks, who had an excellent game playing out of position at centre back, and Duncan Edmunds who is developing quickly into a good first team player. Andy Coutts was his usual vocal self in midfield, and his influence had been sorely missed the week before at Urmston.
Next week Congleton play their first home game on the new pitch at Congleton High School against Sale. Sale were relegated from division three last season, and this should prove a good test for the Blues.
Report for Congleton Hockey Club Mens First XI for Saturday 3rd March 2001.
Great birthday present for skipper as Congleton win promotion
Congleton Hockey Club Mens First XI gained promotion for the second time in three seasons with a comfortable win away to Liverpool Sefton last Saturday.
Congleton started slowly as usual, and Liverpool Sefton had the better of the early play without ever really threatening the Congleton goal. However, Congleton always looked dangerous on the break with the swift movement of Brown and Lawton up front, and it was from one of these swift counter attacks that Congleton almost opened the scoring. A penalty corner was awarded for a foul on Lawton and from the corner Coutts slipped a well-weighted ball to Lawton, whos shot found the net, only to be correctly disallowed for being over the height of the backboard. Congleton continued to cause problems with their pace on the break and Lawton soon broke the deadlock with a powerful shot across the keeper into the far corner of the net, after a mazy run through the Liverpool defence.
Congleton started to dominate the game as the first half drew to a close, and they extended their lead when Ludlow calmly slotted the ball into an unguarded net following a mix-up in the Liverpool defence. Liverpool Sefton's only real threat to the Congleton goal came from two penalty corners, but they were unable to trouble the Congleton keeper on either occasion. Half time score 2 - 0 to Congleton.
Liverpool started the second half determined to pressurise the Congleton ball players, and this paid off as they pressed Congleton back into their own half for the first ten minutes. In fact, this pressure lead to their only goal of the game from a dubious penalty corner. The Liverpool striker miss-hit his shot, which wrong footed the Congleton defence completely, allowing an easy tap in for the Liverpool left winger. However, Congleton restored their two goal advantage within a minute as Andy Coutts powered home his eighth goal of the season from another penalty corner.
Liverpool had to try and press forward in search of the two goals they needed to draw level, and this left too much space for the Congleton forwards who ran the Liverpool defence ragged. Simon Brown added a fourth, and Danny Oakes, in a rare foray forward, was unlucky to be denied when a last gasp tackle intercepted Brown's through ball to a clear Oakes. Phil Ludlow added a fifth in the closing minutes when he struck from the edge of the area, and the final score was an emphatic 5 - 1 to Congleton. Andy Farr was a virtual spectator in the Congleton goal as Dave Sandhu, Danny Oakes, Richard Isherwood and John Hodges denied the Liverpool forwards any time or space on the ball, and Congleton always looked dangerous on the break. Congleton have now scored 94 goals in their 19 league games, a club record, and will be looking to break the 100 mark before the season ends.
A special mention must go to the Congleton skipper, Andy Coutts, who "celebrated" his 40th birthday on Friday 2nd March - he may be lacking the pace of his youth, but the will to win is as high as ever. Happy birthday from all the team. Congleton have a week off next Saturday as most of the players attend the Stag party of Lee Royall, our midfield general, who has missed a few games recently due to DIY problems with his new marital home! Good luck Lee.
Reports for Congleton Hockey Club Mens First XI, for Saturday 27th January and Sunday 28th January.
Congleton Maintain Title Challenge
On Saturday, Congleton Hockey Club Mens first XI travelled to Didsbury Northern in what promised to be a challenging game, with the 2nd placed team in the league taking on the 4th. This was a fixture that Congleton had traditionally found hard work, and Saturday proved to be no exception, as a strong and physical Didsbury team hurried and hassled their more skilful Congleton opponents.
The first half started at a reasonably slow pace, with both teams finding their feet in the middle of the park, and there were few chances for either side before Didsbury broke the deadlock after about 20 minutes. A well played through ball caught the Congleton defence napping, and the Didsbury forward calmly stroked the ball to the left of a stranded Congleton 'keeper. Didsbury appeared to be bolstered by their advantage and increased the pressure on the Congleton goal. In fact, Congleton were lucky not to fall 2 goals behind, when a lose ball broke to a Didsbury winger and he despatched a goal bound drive, only to see the Congleton keeper some how stretch out his left hand and parry the ball to safety. Congleton started to come back into the game with some telling runs from Simon Brown and Chris Lawton, but the half time score was 1 - 0 to Didsbury Northern.
An honest half time exchange between the Congleton captain and his players seemed to spur Congleton into moving up a gear and the second half was virtually one-way traffic as Lee Royal and Phil Ludlow began to exert their usual influence in midfield, whilst Lawton and Brown were finding the measure of the Didsbury defence. Congleton equalised after a spell of especially well-worked possession, when Simon Brown lashed the ball home from about 5 yards out. Didsbury heads started to drop and Congleton were soon 2 -1 ahead as Chris Lawton stroked the ball into the corner of the goal after Congleton had been awarded a free hit just outside the Didsbury circle. By this stage, Duncan Edmunds had been introduced into the game for his first team debut, and the young lad did not look out of place as he keenly marked the Didsbury left winger.
A third Congleton goal looked inevitable at this stage, but it took a piece of sublime skill from Simon Brown to turn quickly and slot the ball expertly past an advancing 'keeper. The final score was 3 - 1 to Congleton, with two goals from Simon Brown and one from Chris Lawton. Lee Royal was excellent in midfield, whilst the work of Dave Sandhu, a seasoned first team player at only 17, and Duncan Edmunds, on his debut, bodes well for the future.
On Sunday, Congleton again travelled away to meet Manchester University in a fixture rearranged from earlier in January. The Congleton side welcomed back Rob Copeland and Richard Isherwood, whilst Simon Brown and Lee Royal were absent from the victorious Saturday team. The game started in the usual fashion, with Manchester University having a lot of possession, but being unable to turn it into goal scoring opportunities. The pace of the Congleton front line was always going to trouble the University side, and it was from one of these breaks that Congleton opened the scoring. Phil Ludlow was fouled inside the circle, and Andy Coutts powered home the resulting penalty corner. Congleton soon doubled their advantage, when Isherwood fed Ludlow on the edge of the circle and Ludlow hammered the ball wide of the University 'keeper into the top right corner of the net. This was a superb strike of the highest quality and seemed to stun the University players, who appeared shell-shocked as Chris Lawton took the score to 3 - 0 within the first 25 minutes. However, Manchester University were still enjoying a reasonable amount of possession and should have pulled a goal back when they were awarded a penalty flick after the ball struck a Congleton foot on the goal line. Once again, Andy Farr, the Congleton 'keeper, was more than equal to the task as he saved easily low to his left. From the resulting free hit, Congleton broke swiftly to make the score 4 - 0 at half time.
The second half was similar to the first, with the pace of Rob Copeland, Chris Lawton and Richard Isherwood causing all sorts of trouble in the University defence. Chris Lawton completed his hat-trick within the first 15 minutes of the second half, easily rounding the 'keeper on both occasions, whilst both Richard Isherwood and Rob Copeland also scored. Manchester University finally scored a consolation goal after a mistake in the Congleton defence allowed the centre forward a free shot which was just out of the reach of Andy Farr. The final score was 10 - 1 to Congleton, with four goals from Lawton - taking his tally for the season to 30 - a hat-trick from Ludlow, and one each for Coutts, Isherwood and Copeland. The score probably reflected Congleton's forward play, but mention must also be made of Danny Oakes, John Hodges, Dave Sandhu and John Schone for their steady and calm play in the Congleton defence. Thanks must also go to John Blake for umpiring both games at the weekend - his ability to remain calm, in what has become a thankless task, is appreciated by all the players.
Congleton are now 8 points clear of third place and only 4 points behind leaders Urmston, who they still have to play again. Hopefully, this winning run can be maintained and promotion secured for a team playing well above the standard of many of their opponents. Congleton have now scored 73 goals in only 14 games this season, and are playing some of the best hockey seen in these parts for many years. Next weekend, the Blues are at home to Springfields, 3pm at Alsager Leisure Centre.
Report for Congleton Hockey Club Mens 1st XI on Saturday 9 December 2000.
Congleton Maintain Unbeaten Run
On Saturday, Congleton travelled away to Lytham St. Annes, a team they had taken only one point off the previous season. However, Congleton are playing considerably better hockey this season and ran out easy winners in a game they dominated from start to finish.
Congleton were soon 1 - 0 ahead after a clever pass from Andy Coutts was deflected neatly past the advancing Lytham 'keeper by Simon Brown. A shell shocked Lytham were soon 2 - 0 down as the Congleton midfield pushed all eleven Lytham players back into their own defensive area before Simon Brown popped up yet again to score his thirteenth goal of the season.
This constant pressure continued throughout the first half, and Congleton should have added more goals to their total, had it not been for some excellent last-ditch defending by the Lytham sweeper. Half time score was 2 - 0 to Congleton.
The second half started a little more brightly for Lytham as Congleton now had to contend with a very low sun shining right at them. However, any nerves were soon calmed as Congleton went 3 - 0 up from a well worked penalty corner routine. The game deteriorated from this point on and became rather scrappy as the Lytham players looked to physical force as a method of breaking down the Congleton back line.
Danny Oakes was excellent in the centre of defence, and Lee Royal showed that he is arguably one of the best tacklers in the league with a fine display on the left of midfield. Dave Sandhu spent the whole game taking the ball off Lytham's right winger, and showed that he is progressing well as an integral part of the first team. In fact, Lytham had only 2 shots on goal all game, and both were competently dealt with by Andy Farr in the Congleton goal - the fact he was still awake after the dominance shown by the Congleton team, made the saves look more impressive than they actually were!
Congleton stay in second place following this victory, but are now only 4 points behind Urmston and with a game in hand over their Manchester rivals, and are a comfortable 6 points ahead of third place, who have also played one game more than Congleton.
Having failed to submit reports for the past two weeks it is worth mentioning that Congleton recorded their biggest ever league victory the week before - 15 - 3 against Wilmslow. The goals were shared between Chris Lawton (2), Phil Ludlow (2), Simon Brown (4), Andy Coutts (3), Steve Danks (3) and John Hodges (1) - Danny Oakes would have scored had it not been for the fact that he has a turning arc bigger than the QE2. Also worthy of note is the first goal in living memory for John Schone, who scored in the 5 - 0 victory over Springfields two weeks ago.
Congleton are away this weekend to Ulverston in a match rearranged from October, when it was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch.
Report for Congleton Hockey Club Mens First XI for Saturday 18th November 2000.
Blues move into Second position
Congleton Hockey Club Mens first XI moved into second position in the league following a well-earned victory over fourth placed Didsbury Northern last Saturday. This was expected to be one of the toughest tests for the Blues since their defeat at Urmston in the third week of the season, but the team were more than equal to the task, running out winners by 5 goals to 3.
The game started at a frantic pace, with play shifting from end to end,
and it was Congleton who drew first blood, with Chris Lawton scoring yet
again to take his season's total to 23. A mazy run was followed by a
strong shot past the leaden-footed Didsbury 'keeper. The game
continued to shift from end to end, and the speed of play resulted in a
catalogue of errors from both teams. However, it was Congleton who capitalised first on one of these errors when a poor clearance fell to Phil Ludlow on the edge of the circle, and he coolly slotted the ball between the legs of an unsighted Didsbury 'keeper. Congleton appeared to be coasting at this point, but soon fell into old habits when one of the Didsbury forwards was allowed to run through four Congleton defenders before slotting the ball into a virtually unguarded net. Some of the blame for this goal must also fall at the door of 'keeper Andy Farr who made a grave error of judgement in leaving the ball as he thought it was passing wide of the post - only to watch in horror as it trickled into the goal.
Congleton were once again looking shaky at the back and it took a brilliant bit of play by young Richard Isherwood to restore Congleton's two goal advantage. A well-placed cross-field ball by John Schone picked out Isherwood who ran at the Didsbury defence before calmly rounding the 'keeper and slotting the ball home from a tight angle. The coolness shown in front of goal by one of the youngest Congleton players definitely bodes well for the future. However, Congleton were still not finished and Chris Lawton added a fourth on the stroke of half time as he expertly flicked the ball over an advancing Didsbury 'keeper into the roof of the net. Half time score: Congleton 4, Didsbury Northern 1.
One of the biggest problems Congleton have is their inability to control a game during the second half. This happened once again on Saturday as the Blues went to sleep for 25 minutes of the second half. Didsbury should have scored twice in the early exchanges of the second half, had it not been for their inability to finish clear cut chances - they had two one-on-ones with the Congleton goal keeper and failed to get the ball past him on both occasions. Eventually they did score, from a short corner when a switch to the left of the circle saw the Didsbury winger hammer the ball into the corner of the net. 4 - 2 was still a comfortable position for Congleton, but again they failed to close off the Didsbury attack, who should have added a couple more before a quick break by Chris Lawton and Phil Ludlow saw Ludlow add his second of the game with a devastating shot from the edge of the circle into the roof of the net. Didsbury had the final word as they added a third goal with virtually the last hit of the game. Final score 5 - 3 to Congleton.
Next week the Blues are away to Springfields, who are currently 3rd in the league. This is another crucial game for Congleton, and a win is vital if they are to maintain their challenge for promotion.
Report for Congleton Hockey Club men's first XI - Saturday 11th November and Sunday 12th November.
Two in two sees Blues go second
On Saturday, Congleton were away to Winnington Park - a side who had beaten them the previous season. However, there was to be no repeat of this setback as Congleton crushed their opposition in a totally one-sided affair. Right from the first whistle, Congleton had the measure of the Winnington Park side and put them under constant pressure, with the pace of Steve Farr and Chris Lawton causing particular problems.
The Blues were ahead after only 10 minutes as a penalty corner was converted by Phil Ludlow for his first goal of the season - in fact, Congleton should have been ahead within the first few minutes, had it not been for a couple of fine saves by the Winnington 'keeper. This goal appeared to spur on the Congleton forward line, who ran riot in the Winnington Park half of the pitch, scoring three more goals before half time. Chris Lawton increased his tally for the season to 21, whilst Simon Brown scored another typical poachers goal. The passing and movement within the Congleton team was highly impressive, and the return of Steve Farr to the right side of midfield added an extra dimension to the wide play. The only point of note in the Congleton defence was a superb, point-blank reaction save from Andy Farr in the Congleton goal after the Winnington striker had found space for the only time in the game. Half time score was 4 - 0 to Congleton.
The second half saw a drop in tempo as Congleton passed the ball around and conserved energy for the Sunday game. Winnington Park did make a better fight of it and earned a number of penalty corners for their troubles, but the Congleton defence were easily equal to these. Only two further goals were added in the second half, by Phil Ludlow and Simon Brown, taking the final score to an emphatic 6 - 0 in favour of Congleton.
This was a highly polished performance by the Congleton team, who were all in fine form. Thanks must also go to the five or six members of the ladies team who stayed to support the men after their earlier game. Their support was greatly appreciated - if only to keep the Congleton defenders awake!
The second game of the weekend saw Congleton entertain Manchester University in a fixture rearranged from two weeks previous. This turned out to be a far harder game for Congleton and was a useful test of the progress being made by the team this season. Congleton started brightly and were soon 1 - 0 ahead after a mazy run from Chris Lawton resulted in him smashing the ball past a helpless Manchester 'keeper. This took Lawton's tally for the season to 22 goals in only six league games - an excellent return for a striker in form. Congleton appeared to relax after taking the lead and allowed Manchester into the game, however the Congleton defence was up to the task and the score remained 1 - 0 until the half time whistle.
The University students started to demonstrate their superior fitness and control in the second half, but again failed to find the telling pass which could break down the Congleton back line. Rob Copeland and Phil Ludlow were prominent in both defence and attack, and their work rate was first class as both players tracked back to cover any dangerous breaks by the students. Congleton weathered the storm and managed to extend their lead through a Lee Royal goal. The ball broke loose following a scramble in the Manchester area, and Lee was on hand to bundle the ball over the line for his first goal in two seasons. This effectively killed off the game, and a third goal from Simon Brown merely served to underline the victory. Final score was 3 - 0 to Congleton.
Congleton's work rate was highly commendable throughout the game, and it was this work rate, combined with excellent pressure and tactics that gave them the edge over a well-drilled university team - in fact, the tactics employed, especially when defending penalty corners, were a testimony to the positive influence new captain Andy Coutts is having on the team.
This win moves Congleton into second place in the league table, and sets up an interesting fixture next week with Didsbury Northern, who are currently forth in the league standings.
Report for Congleton Hockey Club Mens First XI for Saturday 21 October 2000.
Lawton Late Show does it again
Well, life with Congleton Hockey Club is never boring, and Saturday was no exception as the boys managed to contrive a victory with arguably their poorest performance this season.
The first 15 minutes were pretty even, with only a couple of half-chances falling to each side. The opening exchanges were dominated by scrappy midfield play and characterised by poor passing from both sides, but it was Liverpool Sefton who managed to get their act together first and opened the scoring when Congleton (yet again) failed to clear a ball hit across their defence. A tangle of legs and sticks was ended by the Liverpool striker who managed to sneak a snap shot through the legs of two defenders and past an unsighted goalkeeper.
As is their way, Congleton usually need to go a goal down before they wake up, and this is exactly what happened as they forced a number of penalty corners towards the end of the first half. However, the magic wand of Andy Coutts was less than magical on this occasion and Congleton failed to capitalise on any of their penalty corners. Half time score 0 -1 to Liverpool Sefton.
The second half was played at a much faster pace as Congleton pushed for the equaliser, but also left themselves vulnerable to the counter attack, and, on a couple of occasions, Liverpool Sefton could have extended their lead had they shown a cooler head in front of goal. The introduction, half way through the second half, of Danny Oakes did help to sure up the defence, but, with 10 minutes to go, Liverpool probably deserved their 1 goal advantage. Not for the first time, the stage was set for Congleton's striker, Chris Lawton, to display his ability to single-handedly change a game. With only 7 minutes remaining, Chris flicked in the equaliser after another penalty corner was awarded to Congleton, and, with only 5 minutes to go, Lawton scored a superb winner as he smashed the ball home from the edge of the area after a mazy run through the Liverpool defence. Congleton managed to last out the final few minutes to record their third victory of the season and maintain their 100% home record.
Chris Lawton was undoubtedly the star for Congleton, but the performances of Dave Sandhu and Richard Isherwood were again excellent, and the progress of these two young lads has been especially pleasing to see over the last 12 months. Danny Oakes played well, and helped to marshal the defence when under intense pressure from Liverpool. However, this was one of those occasions when Congleton failed to play as a team, and this will need to be rectified before next weeks visit to Ulverston. Congleton remain 3rd in the league, only 1 point behind leaders Didsbury Northern.
On a different note, 3 of the Congleton players, Chris Lawton, Rob Copeland and Andy Farr, completed the Great North Run (a 13 1/4 mile, half marathon) on Sunday in Newcastle-upon-Tyne - well done for completing the race - you are all MAD!!
Report for Congleton Hockey Club Mens First XI on Saturday 14 October 2000.
First defeat as Congleton throw it away
Congleton Mens First XI suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday when they threw away a 3 - 1 lead with only 12 minutes to go against a tough-tackling Urmston. If the captain, Andy Coutts, still had any hair, he certainly wouldn't have had much left after this game in which Congleton managed to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory.
This was always going to be a difficult game against an intimidating Urmston side who use their physical presence to the upmost, especially when backed by a vocal home support, and this proved to be the case when Urmston took an early lead. The initial shot was saved by goalkeeper Andy Farr but he could only palm it into the path of the Urmston forward who easily slotted the ball into an empty net. Unfortunately it was the same old tale of Congleton being second to the loose ball in defence and this continued until mid-way through the first half when Andy Coutts tied the scores with a well-placed penalty corner shot. This appeared to wake up the Congleton team who were soon 2 - 1 up, again from a penalty corner, which was slotted home by Simon Brown from his customary scoring distance of about 3 feet. The score line was soon 3 - 1 in favour of the away team and the Congleton forward line appeared to be gaining the measure of the Urmston defence with their extra skill and pace. However, Urmston always looked dangerous in attack as they managed to string together a series of penalty corners towards the end of the half. Half time score was 3 - 1 to Congleton.
The half time talk revolved around staying secure in defence and protecting the two goal lead, and to this end Andy Coutts moved himself to play sweeper - a position from which he could run the game and try and remove the threat posed by the Urmston number 9. This tactic was working well and Congleton were unlucky not to go further ahead as they had two strong shouts for penalty strokes turned down by their own umpire. Richard Isherwood and Steve Danks came more into the game and Congleton looked capable of scoring whenever they went forward, with some excellent interplay between the midfield and forwards. With only 12 minutes to go, and still 2 goals ahead, Congleton appeared to be coasting to victory, but a disputed long corner and a mix up between John Hodges and Andy Coutts allowed the Urmston winger to tap the ball past Andy Farr from only 2 yards out. With less than 10 minutes to go, Congleton were suddenly level at 3 - 3 when another individual error in defence allowed the Urmston forwards to smash in the equaliser. Things went from bad to worse as, less than two minutes later, Congleton were behind when they again failed to clear the loose ball after the initial shot had been saved by the Congleton 'keeper. Congleton tried to reply but in vain as the final whistle went with victory to the home side, 4 goals to 3. Richard Isherwood was deservedly named man of the match for Congleton for his tireless work in midfield, especially after the captain, Andy Coutts, moved to sweeper.
Congleton know they should have won this game and can justifiably say they were unlucky in stages, but the basic fact remains that they are one of the only teams in the league who do not train together on an astroturf pitch every week and the resulting levels of understanding, fitness and technique are often poorer than their weekly opponents, which is unfortunate as Congleton have some of the league's most talented players in their ranks. In the immortal words of Vince Lombardi, "Winning isn't everything - but making the effort to win is", and Congleton need to learn that this does not just mean turning up every Saturday, but involves the week to week hard work and practice if this team is to reach it's true potential.
Next week Congleton are at home to Liverpool Sefton at 3pm, Alsager Leisure Centre. Liverpool Sefton are something of an unknown quantity as they were relegated from division 4 last season, so this should be a good game to watch - come along and support us!
Report for Congleton Hockey Club Mens First XI for Saturday 7th October 2000.
Two in Two puts Congleton Top
A magnificent performance on Saturday gave Congleton all three points in the traditional grudge match with close rivals Holmes Chapel. This was a great performance away from home and one Congleton supporter was heard to remark that "this was the best live hockey he had ever seen" - maybe he should get out more.
The game started at a frantic pace, as with most local derbies, and it soon became clear that the pace of the Congleton front line was always going to cause problems for Holmes Chapel. In fact, Congleton could well have been ahead inside two minutes as Rob Copeland cut inside the Holmes Chapel left back, only to see his shot fly wide of the target. Congleton continued to press, but were denied on a number of occasions by a combination of brave goalkeeping and careless finishing in front of the Holmes Chapel goal.
Eventually the deadlock was broken by Congleton's most prolific scorer in recent seasons, Chris Lawton, as he hit a reverse stick drive that appeared to go straight through the Holmes Chapel 'keeper. This was no more than Congleton deserved, and the lead should have been doubled minutes later when a penalty flick was awarded for a blatant foul on one of the Congleton strikers. However, Rob Copeland's shot flew inches wide of the right-hand post, so the half time score was 1 - 0 to Congleton.
Within three minutes of the restart, Congleton had doubled their lead, again through Chris Lawton, as he smashed a first time shot into the corner of the goal from an excellent cross by Rob Copeland. Attack after attack was mounted by the Congleton front line, but they only managed one more goal - another reverse stick shot from Chris Lawton, which Simon Brown claims to have touched, but, looking at the rest of his day, the fact that he got anywhere near the ball is unlikely.
The final score was 3 - 0 to Congleton, but 10 - 0 would not have been inconceivable with the domination held by the Congleton team. Rob Copeland was outstanding on the right wing but had 'one of those days' in front of goal, whilst Chris Lawton, Phil Ludlow and Simon Brown were constant thorns in the side of the Holmes Chapel defence. It is true this game was played mainly in the Holmes Chapel half of the pitch, but the Congleton defence of Danny Oakes, Dave Sandhu, Dave Bales and Steve Danks deserve a mention for the assured way in which they dealt with any Holmes Chapel breaks. In fact, Holmes Chapel did not have a single shot on the Congleton goal all afternoon. Lee Royall and Andy Coutts controlled the midfield from start to finish, and it was the Scottish Swordsman who justifiably gained the Man of the Match award for his tireless work in the centre of the park.
So a commanding win puts the Blues top of Division 5, with two wins from their first two games, and, on this sort of form, it will take something special to stop the Blue juggernaut. A final note should be made of Richard Isherwood's selection for Cheshire; Congratulations from all the players on your selection - but we don't want to see you missing too many games on a Saturday!
The below report relates to Congleton Hockey Club Mens First XI matches on Saturday and Sunday 30th Sept and 1st October.
On Saturday Congleton Mens 1st XI entertained St. Helens in their first league game of the new season. At first sight, this was a tough start to their campaign - having lost once and drawn once with St. Helens last season - but it turned out to be something of a stroll in the park for the Congleton boys.
Congleton were ahead after only 28 seconds - arguably the fastest goal scored in recent memory - as Chris Lawton smashed the ball home from the edge of the circle. For a side used to going behind before they start playing, this was a truly remarkable start and one which seemed to spur the players on to greater things. Congleton continued to press throughout the first half as goal after goal flew past the bewildered St. Helens keeper. Congleton even managed to score from a penalty corner at one stage - something close followers will know to be a distinct rarity over past seasons - when Simon Brown deflected Andy Coutts' clever lay off into the back of the net. It become obvious this game was Congleton's when even Lee Royall, a man not known for his passing (in fact, better known for his inability to pass) laid on the fourth goal for Chris Lawton with a superbly accurate through ball from the midfield. The half time score was 7 - 0 to Congleton, with Chris Lawton scoring five and Simon Brown, in his new central striking role, scoring twice.
The second half turned out to be more of an anti-climax, and Andy Farr, in the Congleton goal, was forced out of his deck chair on more than one occasion to keep St. Helens at bay. St. Helens, to be fair to them, did fight back well and scored a couple of consolation goals, but the final score of 9 - 2 to the home team, with Chris Lawton scoring six and Simon Brown three, was a fair reflection of Congleton's domination of the game. Chris Lawton was quite breathtaking in his single handed destruction of the St. Helens defence, and Phil Ludlow, in his new role on the left side of midfield, deserved his man-of-the-match award for a superb display of skill and hard work down the left flank.
It is difficult to assess whether this game is an indicator for the season to come, and Holmes Chapel will certainly form a sterner test next Saturday in the local derby match, but a sincere well done must be sent to all the players for their excellent work on the first day of a new season.
On a less encouraging note, Congleton crashed out of the Cheshire Cup in the first round on Sunday when a severely weakened side lost 6 - 0 away to Woodley. Congleton were without six of the players who won so emphatically on Saturday, and in total had nine first team players missing for what should have been an important game. Congleton could only field ten players and were easily outclassed by their opposition, but, the opportunity for some of the younger players to taste first team action may well be useful in the future and Rob Copeland was outstanding in midfield for Congleton. The attitude of some of the younger members - who only found out they were playing on the Sunday morning - was excellent, and they should be commended for their efforts.
New players are always welcome, and training is continuing on a Wednesday night at Heathfield High School from 7pm until 8pm for juniors and 8pm until 9pm for seniors. Phone Chris Lawton 01782 518947 or Louise Robinson 01260 279564 for more information.