Congleton 2nd   5    Leigh 2nd  2   6th January 2001

Congleton's men's 2nd XI started the new year with a well earned win against Leigh - completing the double over a side they had beaten in Lancashire last October. Congleton started confidently and played some attractive hockey for the first fifteen minutes only to be disappointed by some hurried mistimed shots which rarely troubled the Leigh keeper. The Lancashire side fielded an experienced back three who defended resiliently during this opening period. It was completely against the run of play when Leigh broke away to open the scoring midway through the first half taking advantage of some lax defending. The shock to the system had an almost immediate effect on the home side who were soon back on level terms when Simon Papiernik's brilliant assault on the Leigh D ended in a reverse stick pass to Dave Bales who was waiting on the penalty spot to slot the ball home. After a further period of pressure Congleton took the lead for the first time ten minutes from half-time when an off-target short corner effort from Bales was parried onto Rob Buckley's stick and the youngster coolly beat the Leigh keeper from a tight angle. It seemed as though the home side would be taking a 2-1 lead into the second half but the last two minutes of the half provided drama as, first of all, Leigh latched onto to poorly directed Congleton hit out from defence to level the scores again, only for Papiernik to fire Congleton back into the lead with a well struck shot from a short corner.

Half-time: Congleton 3  Leigh 2

The visitors made a few tactical changes in the second half to try and break Congleton's midfield domination and this did result in a number of shots from open play and from short corners which Rupert Johnson dealt with well. Craig Wolfenden also had his best game to date defending admirably at left back and linking well with Peter Hodges. Congleton still looked as though they should have been able to extend their lead but were frustrated until after twenty minutes of the half when James Speed was presented with a loose ball on the edge of the D and scored his first goal for Congleton with a quick fire shot. Duncan Edmunds added a fifth Congleton goal five minutes later after some typically dogged work inside the Leigh D and the game was won. Unfortunately, the game was stopped two minutes before time when a Leigh player suffered an eye injury requiring treatment but thankfully there was no permanent damage. The Lancashire side provided friendly and competitive opposition in both games this season and it is hoped that fixtures with them will continue next season.

Thanks to John Hodges for umpiring the game single handedly.

Congleton side: Rupert Johnson; Barrie Croombs; Peter Mottershead; Peter Hodges; Robert Buckley; Mark Blunn; Alex Diggory; Dave Bales (capt); Simon Papiernik; Dave Wood; Duncan Edmunds; Craig Wolfenden; James

Brooklands 4A    3     Congleton 2nd    1        18/11/00

Congleton men's 2nd team travelled to South Manchester on Saturday for a game at Brooklands hockey club, a superb venue where National League hockey is played. Saturday's game was a much humbler affair but nevertheless provided very good entertainment for those who took part and for the small group who watched from the pitch side huts.   Congleton lost joint leading scorer, Paul Hawkins, to the first team at the eleventh hour but still had a reasonably strong squad with three other senior members returning from absences.The enforced changes in recent weeks have meant that there has not really been a settled line-up and the lack of cohesion showed in the opening period in which Brooklands knocked the ball around with confidence while Congleton found it difficult to string more than two passes together. Congleton also struggled to clear the ball out of defence which added to the pressure on the backs. The first glimmers of hope for Congleton appeared with a few good moves down the right involving Rob Buckley and Duncan Edmunds. One of these moves midway through the first half ended when Dave Bales was fouled close to the Brooklands corner flag. As he hobbled towards to the 'D', Dave Wood took control and his fierce free hit found Buckley on the far post who struck home his second goal of the season in his first game for a month. The goal was really against the run of play and stunned the home side and their supporters. Brooklands did their best to fight back into the game but, boosted by their goal, Congleton started to play better hockey. Barrie Croombs was again dominant at the back but his fellow defenders were caught napping just before half time when they allowed a very young winger to score the equaliser beating Rupert Johnson on his near post from the acutest of angles.

Half time:  Brooklands  1   Congleton  1

The second half was played in persistent rain which made stick control difficult but nevertheless the tempo and standard of play improved considerably. Congleton decided to try to play deeper in their opponents half as a unit which created many more attacking opportunities whilst leaving the defenders rather more open. Mark Blunn settled much better into his centre half role and gave the attackers good support. The Congleton defenders also played well although Johnson in goal was still called upon to make a string of excellent saves. The half was punctuated by a number of superb runs from Simon Papiernik and Dave Bales who dribbled through their opponents at will. Unfortunately, they were all too often stopped by some crunching last ditch tackling, some of which was, at best, dubious but which went unpunished by the umpires. A lay off to their team mates would also have served the team better on occasions.   The good play by Congleton ultimately went unrewarded and it was Brooklands who took the lead fifteen minutes from the end following an attack on their right which heralded four mistimed tackles by the Congleton defence leaving Johnson with no chance to keep out the resultant shot. Congleton and Johnson, in particular, were frustrated further five minutes later when the young Brooklands right winger emulated his first half effort with another goal from an impossible angle. Although Congleton felt that they deserved at least a draw from the game, it was not to be. They enjoyed the home side's hospitality after the game and look forward to next week's home game against Urmston.

Congleton team: Rupert Johnson; Dave Dixon; Barrie Croombs; Rob Buckley; Mark Blunn; Peter Hodges; Duncan Edmunds; 

Congleton 2nd    0    Knutsford 3rd   3   11/11/00

After last week's comfortable win over Bowdon, Congleton men's 2nd team were hoping to carry on the good work in Saturday's home fixture against Knutsford. Unfortunately, they were forced to make five changes to the starting line up and the new look team found it tough against reasonably strong opponents.The game started evenly with both teams enjoying periods of possession as the game flowed from end to end. Congleton worked the ball forward quite well with Barrie Croombs at the back finding Paul Hawkins in midfield on numerous occasions. He, in turn, was able to combine with Simon Papiernik who played some neat lay-offs to the two James', Davis and Speed.However, a misunderstanding in defence allowed Knutsford to breach Rupert Johnson's goal after ten minutes of play and the visitors started to take control.A second Knutsford goal followed ten minutes later and Congleton looked in serious trouble. They would have fallen further behind before the interval but for another of Alex Diggory's famous goal line clearances and Duncan Edmunds got in on the act with one of his own clearances minutes later.

The second half substitution of Dave Bales for Hawkins, who took over the umpire's mantle, added strength to the defence but left Congleton a little weaker going forward.Although they did not build up play with the same fluency as in the early part of the game, Congleton did manage to win a few short corners but they were unable to convert these.They also managed to create a couple of chances for Papiernik who ran tirelessly up front but his shots went agonisingly wide on each occasion.Some stubborn defending did mean that Congleton restricted Knutsford to just one second half goal. However, the manner of the goal was most disappointing. Everyone stood watching expecting the whistle to be blown to give Congleton a free hit on the edge of the circle but the umpire did not spot any offence and Knutsford played on to scramble home their third.The game was certainly no classic but it did allow Congleton to try out players in new positions which was quite useful. James Davis is clearly better in a more advanced role and another youngster, Craig Wolfenden, made his debut and played well in defence in the first half before being moved out of position in the second.

Congleton squad: Rupert Johnson; Barrie Croombs; Peter Mottershead; Craig Wolfenden; Peter Hodges; Paul Hawkins; Dave Bales (Capt.); Peter Wharton; Alex Diggory; James Speed; James Davis; Simon Papiernik; Duncan Edmunds.

Dave Bales (Capt.); Dave Wood; Simon Papiernik; Alex Diggory; Peter Mottershead.

Congleton 2nd    5     Bowdon 5B   1    4/11/00

After a run of defeats against tougher opposition, Congleton's men's 2nd team were grateful for a less testing fixture against a team from Bowdon last Saturday. Congleton had the luxury of a large squad for the game and were able to lend one player, Duncan Edmunds, to their opponents who were a player short.The visitors were older and more experienced than the home side and started the game brightly. However, Barrie Croombs, making his debut for Congleton at left back, gave a more solid look to their defence and, in combination with Dave Dixon and Peter Hodges, stopped Bowdon getting into the Congleton circle by making a series of well-timed tackles.After the first ten minutes Congleton settled down and began to dominate the proceedings. It was good to see them keep possession for long periods of play and pass the ball around with confidence. As usual, Dave Wood held the ball up well before passing it out to Richard Isherwood on the left or to James Davis and Andrew Walford who combined well on the right.Alex Diggory and Paul Hawkins also made made some great interceptions in midfield to set up attacks. The final ball into the circle was often the only thing that let Congleton down but, nevertheless, they opened the scoring mid way through the first half when  Hawkins scrambled a loose ball home from close range.Congleton had several more chances to add to their lead in the next fifteen minutes with Wood and Isherwood coming closest. However, in spite of all of the good team play, it was an individualist goal by Simon Papiernik which finally made it 2-0 to Congleton just one minute before half-time. He beat at least four defenders in a mazy run into the circle before firing the ball home.

The second half started in just the way Congleton would have hoped with an early goal from Isherwood who was left clear on the left of the 'D' following good build up play by Walford and Dave Bales on the right.Hawkins was enjoying a freer role in the centre of midfield and popped up on the end of another pull back from Bales to beat the Bowdon keeper on his near post as Congleton went four up.With the home side pressing for more goals, Bowdon were able to hit them on the break, but Peter Mottershead, who came on for Croombs at half time, continued the good work at the back and kept to a minimum the shots at Rupert Johnson's goal.It was only a matter of time before Congleton added a fifth goal which emanated from a long free hit from the stick of Dixon at right back. He found Isherwood on the left wing who proceeded to take on the whole Bowdon defence before unselfishly laying the ball square to Papiernik who bagged his second of the match.Hopes of a rare clean sheet for the Blues were dashed when Duncan Edmunds, who had been Bowdon's best player all game, scored with only minutes to go, much to his satisfaction.

Congleton squad: Rupert Johnson; Dave Dixon; Barrie Croombs; Pete Mottershead; Peter Hodges; Paul Hawkins; Dave Bales (Capt.); Alex Diggory; Andrew Walford; James Davis; Dave Wood; Simon Papiernik; Richard Isherwood; Duncan Edmunds.

Congleton 2nd    4    Holmes Chapel 4th   5        28/10/00

A stirring second half performance by Congleton's men's 2nd XI was not quite enough to earn them a draw in last Saturday's encounter with local rivals Holmes Chapel. Congleton twice came back from a three-goal deficit, but at the final whistle they just lost out in a nine goal thriller.

The home side made a promising start with Simon Papiernik hitting a shot against the Holmes Chapel post within the first few minutes. Unfortunately, Congleton were unable to take advantage of early possession and allowed their opponents to take command.Holmes Chapel attacked well down their left hand side using all of the width of the pitch. They dragged the Congleton defenders out of position and set up several goal scoring opportunities including two efforts which beat Congleton keeper Rupert Johnson but which came back off the post.After a succession of short corners which Johnson did well to keep out, Holmes Chapel eventually scored their first goal and, with Congleton struggling in midfield, they managed to double their lead by half time.

Half-time: Congleton  0  Holmes Chapel  2   

Congleton's main aim at the start of the second half was to try and mark their opponents more closely with Peter Wharton being asked to man-mark Holmes Chapel's most dangerous midfield player.Unfortunately, it did not take long for a defensive blunder to allow Holmes Chapel to move into a 3-0 lead and the writing looked on the wall for the home side.However, rather than become demoralised, Congleton dug deep. As their opponents pushed men forward to try and score more goals, Congleton hit them on the counter attack. Andrew Walford came close to scoring with a couple of efforts before Congleton hit back with two goals in two minutes.The first was from Papiernik who beat two players before smashing the ball into the back of the net from the edge of the circle. The second came from the very next attack - a free hit from Dave Bales on the left picked out James Davis on the right of the Holmes Chapel 'D' and his cross was swept into the net by Wharton.Holmes Chapel were clearly as stunned as the home side by the sudden change in the game and for a while their efforts to reassert themselves were foiled by a series of saves from Johnson and by another one of Alex Diggory's goal line clearances.Another defensive error did allow Holmes Chapel to claim their fourth goal and a fifth soon followed from a one-man dribble through the heart of the Congleton defence - reestablishing the visitors three goal advantage.Congleton's man of the match, Papiernik, almost made it through the whole Holmes Chapel team from the restart with a brilliant dribble only to be beaten by the last man. He inspired Congleton to further attacks and, within minutes, an effort from Duncan Edmunds came back off the post only for Paul Hawkins to strike home the rebound.Hawkins scored his second goal shortly afterwards following further good work from Papiernik who beat two defenders before setting up the Congleton centre forward with another sitter.The final whistle came too soon for Congleton's warriors but it was a brilliant game to be involved in and there were no real losers at the end of the day.

Congleton team: Rupert Johnson; Peter Mottershead; Peter Hodges; James Davis; Dave Bales (Capt.); Peter Wharton; Alex Diggory; Simon Papiernik; Andrew Walford; Paul Hawkins; Duncan Edmunds. Umpire: Mark Blunn.

Congleton 2nd    0    Triton 3rd   3    14/10/00

Following the disappointment of last week's cancelled game when Macclesfield failed to raise a team, Congleton men's 2nd team were able to call upon thirteen keen players for Saturday's encounter with Triton. Triton were formed earlier this year from an amalgamation of local rivals Sandbach and Alsager (and also Kidsgrove ladies) and were always going to be tough opponents for Congleton who had lost to both Sandbach and Alsager in recent seasons while they were operating as separate clubs.

Congleton started the game a little rusty following their short enforced break and were soon put under pressure by their strong counterparts who passed the ball around confidently and made use of their two very young but talented wingers. Goalkeeper Rupert Johnson had to make several good saves in the opening period in which Congleton conceded a number of short corners.Congleton were able to counter attack and there was further evidence of a good partnership developing on the right between Andrew Walford and Rob Buckley. However, they were frequently left exposed at the back by a Triton side which attacked in numbers and it was no surprise when Triton opened the scoring after about ten minutes from a well worked short corner.The remainder of the first half proved to be very difficult for the Congleton side who were forced to defend too deeply. Dave Dixon worked hard at right back and Peter Hodges made an excellent goal line clearance showing a cool head when his keeper had been beaten.There was a general lack of movement by the Congleton players which made it very difficult for the defence to get the ball up to their forwards and the inevitable second goal came before half time when a Triton forward fired past Johnson from a tight angle.

A few positional changes were made by Congleton at half time which seemed to be quite effective. Peter Wharton played a little deeper in midfield giving Dave Bales the opportunity to push forward and support the attack while James Speed added extra cover on the right of midfield Although Triton still played the most controlled hockey, Congleton were able to put together a lot of good passing moves. Dave Wood had an excellent game at centre forward and held up the ball well before laying it off to his team mates. He also had a powerful shot saved following a swift attacking move involving Walford and Bales.Congleton's clearest chance to score fell to young Duncan Edmunds playing left wing who positioned himself perfectly to latch onto a cross from the right but unfortunately, with the goal beckoning, the ball bobbled onto his foot. Meanwhile at the other end of the pitch another youngster, Alex Diggery, showed great composure to make Congleton's second goal line clearance of the day to the relief of his fellow defenders. He and Edmunds stuck well to a difficult task on the Congleton left against much more experienced players and contributed to some good interplay on that side of the pitch. Thanks to further dogged defending by Mark Blunn and Peter Mottershead and from Johnson in goal, Congleton were able to keep Triton's second half tally down to one goal which came five minutes from the end.

Congleton should not be disappointed by their defeat. Their starting line up included six players aged sixteen or under and their opponents were far older and more experienced. Another young side will be fielded next week when Congleton take on a "badgers" team from Crewe.

Many thanks to Louise Robinson for umpiring.

Congleton squad: Rupert Johnson; Mark Blunn; Dave Dixon; Peter Mottershead; Peter Hodges; Rob Buckley; Dave Bales (Capt.); Peter Wharton; Alex Diggery; James Speed; Andrew Walford; Dave Wood; Duncan Edmunds.

Leigh 2nd    2      Congleton 2nd    4   30/9/00

After last week's 7-0 defeat by Didsbury, Congleton's mens 2nd team were hoping to meet opponents playing more at their level for their second game of the season. Leigh 2nd's proved to be an ideal match with a similar blend of youth and experience to Congleton, and a well-contested game was played in an excellent spirit.

Congleton had been unable to build many moves in their previous game and so it was most encouraging when they started this one as though they had been playing together for years. In a bright opening quarter of an hour Rob Buckley and Andrew Walford combined well on the right to set up some dangerous attacks. Simon Papiernik joined forces with Dave Bales in the centre of midfield to stifle any Leigh offensives whilst supporting the forwards. In spite of a lot of pressure, Congleton failed to break down the Leigh defence and the home side started to settle into the game.

For the next fifteen minutes the Congleton back line of Dave Dixon, Pete Mottershead and Peter Hodges had plenty of defending to do and goalkeeper Rupert Johnson was called into action on a number of occasions. Just as it seemed as though the teams were going to be turning round for half time 0-0, Congleton surprised themselves with two goals in the last two minutes of the half. The first goal came when the Leigh defence failed to clear the ball properly following a Congleton attack. Bales picked up their attempted clearance and found Papiernik in a dangerous position on their back line. His strong cross reached Buckley on the far post, who deftly beat the Leigh keeper from close range. The second came almost immediately with Congleton winning a short corner which they converted with style. Buckley pushing out for Papiernik to stop reverse stick and set up centre forward Dave Wood who struck home a fierce shot.

Congleton started the second half well but a mix up in the defence allowed Leigh back into the game at 2-1. Some end to end hockey followed although Congleton built up their attacks better than their opponents using all areas of the pitch to good effect. They always looked more dangerous on the right and after winning another short corner, the ball was moved to Walford on the right of the D who scored his first goal for the club from a difficult angle. Walford almost scored his second goal five minutes later when his shot was stopped on the line by a Leigh foot earning Congleton a penalty stroke. Congleton had not practised (or even thought about) penalties beforehand and after some discussion, the responsibility was taken by the captain Bales. He placed his flick perfectly just inside the left hand post to give Congleton a 4-1 lead.

A period of intense pressure followed from the Congleton side. However, they failed to capitalise on a succession of well struck long corners from Wood. To the home side's credit they rallied again to peg back one goal from a break away but this did not detract from an excellent all round performance from the Blues.

Thanks to Mark Blunn for umpiring.

Congleton team: Rupert Johnson; Dave Dixon; Pete Mottershead; Peter Hodges; Rob Buckley; Dave Bales (Capt.); Simon Papiernik; Peter Wharton; Andrew Walford; Dave Wood; James Speed. Umpire: Mark Blunn

Congleton 2nd    0    Didsbury Northern 3rd   7      23/9/00

Following the previous week's cancellation due to the fuel crisis, Congleton were eager to put out a 2nd team last Saturday for the scheduled visit of Bramhall's 4th team. Unfortunately, Bramhall could not raise a team and so Congleton were glad to accept a last minute offer to play a much stronger Didsbury Northern 3rd team at Alsager. Didsbury play a reasonable level of league hockey in North West junior league division 3 and so this was always going to be a difficult fixture - made all the more so as a few late injuries meant that Congleton could only field 10 players on the day.

The visitors passed the ball around confidently and following a period of sustained pressure managed to breach Congleton's defence after about 6 or 7 minutes of play. A second goal followed shortly but although Congleton found it difficult to break out of their own half, some resolute defending meant that the visitors were only able to add one more goal before half time.

Didsbury scored a 4th goal with the very first move of the second half while Congleton were still cold and a 5th came within the next couple of minutes and it seemed that the floodgates would open with double figures beckoning. However, it is much to the home teams credit that they never allowed their heads to drop.

Simon Papiernik dropped back to plug gaps in the defence and Rupert Johnson made some important saves in goal. Congleton's best moves came when Rob Buckley, who had an excellent game at the back, was allowed to link up with Dave Bales, Paul Hawkins and newcomer James Speed on the right hand side. However, Congleton's best chance to score came when two of the youngsters, Alex Diggery and Andrew Walford, broke down the left and the resultant shot earned Congleton their only short corner of the game which they failed to convert.

Didsbury did score twice more before the final whistle but Congleton should take heart from what will be one of their most difficult games of the season.

Many thanks to Rachel Whetton for umpiring at short notice.

Congleton team: Rupert Johnson; Rob Buckley; Pete Mottershead; Paul Hawkins; Dave Bales (Capt.); Mark Blunn; James Speed; Andrew Walford; Simon Papiernik; Alex Diggery.