Match reports for 2001/2002
reports indexed in reverse chronolgical order
Congleton 2nd XI 3 Triton 3rd XI 0
Congleton's second XI managed to reverse the scoreline from their very first game of the season in beating an under-strength team from local rivals Triton at Congleton High School on Saturday.
The teams actually seemed well-matched for the first ten minutes but it was then that Congleton started to take command and spent a long period camped in the opposition half. Paul Hawkins, Danny Robinson and Dave Bales created countless chances for one another from open play and from short corners but the final shot was found wanting as all scoring opportunities were scorned.
James Davis made many runs down the right wing but was unable to negotiate the big Triton left back who was very strong in the tackle. Frustrated by the team's inaccurate passing and poor finishing, John Blake pushed forward from the back to keep up the pressure but, on occasions, left the Congleton defence open to breakaways from the Triton attack.
Fortunately, the goal which Congleton's pressure deserved came before half time. Hawkins and Robinson performing a nice one-two with Hawkins providing the finishing touch.
The goal for the home side changed the complexion of the game and throughout the second half, Congleton shook off the Christmas cobwebs and improved their game. They added a second crucial goal after a good run by Hawkins presented Bales with a chance which he failed to put away, but Hawkins was on hand to score from the rebound.
The third goal was the best of the lot, however - Bales found an unmarked Davis in the 'D' and the winger displayed excellent skill and a cool head in lobbing the ball over the keeper and into the net from a tight angle.
The league games start again next week for Congleton who will be away to Saraxens at Manchester City's Platt Lane training ground. They can expect a much tougher game there.
Congleton team: R Johnson; K Gledhill; P Mottershead; J Blake; J Hodges; P Hodges; D Bales; A Diggory; J Davis; P Hawkins; D Robinson; C Wolfenden.
Saraxens 1st XI 2 Congleton 2nd XI 0
Congleton travelled to Manchester on Saturday hoping to avenge their home defeat by Saraxens earlier in the season, but two first half goals by their opponents put paid to their hopes.
Saraxens are a good team but their pitch, which is fast, spongy and water-based is the antithesis of the slow, sandy home pitch at Congleton High School, and it really gave the Mancunians an advantage. Congleton probably had just as much of the play in the first half but all too many of their moves broke down before they could seriously test the keeper with a decent shot as they struggled to come to terms with the surface.
Saraxens did not compete a great deal in midfield but relied on the long ball to their two skilful strikers, who proved a real handful for John Blake, Peter Mottershead and Craig Wolfenden in the Congleton defence. Unfortunately, when the home side did take the lead, it was in controversial circumstances as the ball was clearly stopped by the Saraxens' striker's foot before he struck the ball home.
Congleton had several chances to equalise from short corners, the best effort coming from Peter Hodges who smashed the ball into the side netting from a narrow angle. However, Saraxens followed up with a second goal before half time and would also have added a third but for a brilliant diving save by Ian Mottershead.
The home side should also have scored again with their first attack after the restart, but somehow contrived to miss an open goal. Thereafter, Congleton gradually overcame their earlier frustrations and played some of their best hockey of the season. The defence looked much more solid and Gary Pickford and Dave Bales pushed further up and dominated the game from midfield. This allowed John Hodges to lead the front line to much better effect and with Rupert Johnson providing some decent crosses from the left, Congleton were unlucky not to pull a goal back. Hodges should have been awarded a penalty flick when one of his shots was stopped by feet and Johnson came closest of all to scoring when the Saraxens' keeper deflected his rising shot over the bar.
Although Congleton were disappointed by the result, they played well in defeat. Unfortunately, next Saturday's game at Box Lane will be even more difficult against unbeaten table-toppers, Heywood. Push back is at 2pm.
Congleton team: I Mottershead; P Mottershead; C Wolfenden; J Blake; P Hodges; G Pickford; A Diggory; D Bales; J Davis; J Hodges; R Johnson.
Congleton 2nd XI 1 Heywood 2nd XI 3
Congleton's second's performed respectably on Saturday against unbeaten table-toppers, Heywood, in an exciting game at Congleton High School. They matched their opponents for much of the game and only really let their play slip in a fifteen minute period after half time in which Heywood scored two crucial goals.
Congleton were hopeful that they could put up a good fight with a slightly stronger side than the one that lost 3-0 at Heywood before Christmas and they soon made their over-confident opponents realise that they would be no pushovers. When Heywood took the lead after a quarter of an hour, Congleton did not let their heads drop but started to assert a great deal of pressure, winning a lot of possession in midfield and extracting a number of late tackles from the opposing players.
Congleton won three or four short corners before a change of routine enabled John Hodges to score the equaliser after a well-worked move between Paul Hawkins and Danny Robinson left him in the clear at the top of the 'D'. Heywood were clearly rattled and Congleton exerted further pressure during the run up to half-time playing some great hockey.
Unfortunately, Congleton were unable to add to their tally before the changeover and the break appeared to do them no favours as Heywood upped their effort for a fifteen minute spell in which the Blues could hardly string more than two passes together. Heywood scored two goals including one from a short corner and could have scored more but for some great saves by Ian Mottershead.
After the onslaught, the some of the visitors visibly tired and Congleton showed good character to raise their game again and create more chances. As last week, Gary Pickford and Dave Bales linked up very well in midfield and gave the forwards the support they needed. They were not rewarded with any further goals but it is a sign of their improvement over the season that the players were a little disappointed not to have got more out of the game.
Congleton side: I Mottershead; P Mottershead; K Gledhill; J Blake; J Hodges; G Pickford; A Diggory; D Bales; P Hodges; P Hawkins; D Robinson.
In spite of playing some excellent hockey, the last two Saturday's have seen Congleton's men's seconds increase their sequence of league defeats in 2002 to four, losing away from home at both Wilmslow and Denbigh.
Wilmslow 2nd XI 2 Congleton 2nd XI 1
Congleton had lost heavily at home to Wilmslow in the first game of the season but, nevertheless, had hopes of turning the tables in the return match in the light of their respective performances over the last couple of months.
Both teams fielded stronger sides than in the first encounter and Wilmslow drew first blood on this occasion scoring after about a quarter of an hour. As usual, this kickstarted Congleton into action and they looked more dangerous almost immediately. Duncan Edmunds was at the heart of some swift passing moves that exposed the home team's marking. Congleton's equaliser was scrappy but deserved and Dave Bales got the final touch from barely a yard out. The score remained 1-1 until half-time.
The second half followed the pattern of the first with Wilmslow applying a lot of early pressure and gaining a number of short corners from Congleton's backs who were defending too deep and giving away a lot of fouls in their own 'D'. There was also a sense of panic there when a cross from the right which should have been cleared, was met by one of two unmarked Wilmslow players on the back post who netted the winning goal.
Edmunds and Paul Hawkins almost equalised from the restart and at least one of a number of short corners won by the Blues should have been converted with cooler finishing. However, Congleton could not find the net and they were denied a share of the points.
Denbigh 1st XI 3 Congleton 2nd XI 1
Congleton lost again at Denbigh last Saturday in spite of playing some of their best attacking hockey of the season. Denbigh are well placed near the top of the table and fielded a very strong team, some of whom have played at a much higher level in the past.
The way in which the home side started left the Blues in no doubt that they were in for a tough afternoon. Denbigh attacked as a unit for the first 15 minutes and Congleton found it difficult to break out of their own half. The inevitable opening goal was scored by the home side after this period of pressure but, after taking the lead, they lost their shape and Congleton were suddenly presented with lots of space in midfield which they exploited to the full and set up a number of decent attacks which had the Welsh team in a panic.
All of Congleton's forwards had great chances to equalise but Rupert Johnson, Paul Hawkins and Danny Robinson each found their final shots off target which was shame as their build up play was of the highest order. An injury to full-back Ken Gledhill forced the Blues to play the last ten minutes of the half with only ten men but this did not prevent them from holding the upper hand.
Unfortunately, Congleton fell further behind in the second half to a skilful Denbigh goal. They continued with their fluent moves, however, and pulled back a well deserved goal through Gledhill who returned to the pitch to cause problems in the Denbigh 'D' and his power shot almost broke the backboard.
Congleton should have added further goals from excellent crosses from the right from John and Peter Hodges but the final touch was lacking. When Denbigh broke away to score a third goal, the contest was over.
Congleton created more clear cut chances to score than the home side over the 70 minutes and can take heart form the overall improvement in their play. Surely a win is not too far away given a full strength team.
Congleton 2nd XI 1 Marple 1st XI 1
The seconds secured their first point of 2002 with a home draw against an understrength Marple side but they will be kicking themselves that they did not get all three points.
Congleton fielded a young side for the match but they soon settled into a good shape and passed the ball around well. They also had the benefit of an early goal when James Davis struck home an unstoppable shot after five minutes for his third goal of the season.
It looked as though Congleton would be heading for an easy win, but in spite of creating a host of further chances in the next quarter hour, they could not add to their tally. The home side then lost their shape a little for a ten minute spell in which Rupert Johnson made one excellent save. They picked up their game again before half-time but centre forward, Paul Hawkins, without a goal in four games, was unable to capitalise on the opportunities that were presented to him.
The second half was mainly one way traffic with Congleton controlling the play and gaining several short corners. The best chance fell to Gary Pickford from one of the corners who had plenty of time to set up a shot which unfortunately screamed wide of the goals. The Marple keeper was forced to make a number of saves but the shots which were on target were lacking in power.
As so often happens when the dominant side fails to press home their advantage, Marple struck an equaliser with just three minutes to go. It was cruel luck for the Blues and for John Hodges, in particular, who had put in a faultless performance in marshalling the Congleton defence. Although Congleton had two more attacks, they could not get the winner that they had deserved.
Congleton side: R Johnson; P Hodges; J Hodges; C Wolfenden; B Heades; G Pickford; A Wise; D Bales; D Robinson; P Hawkins; J Davis; A Diggory.
Rhyl 2nd XI 2 Congleton 2nd XI 1
Having beaten Rhyl 3-0 at home in the early part of the season, Congleton had hoped to get at least a point from the return match. That they returned empty handed was as much down to bad luck and the long journey as to anything else.
The home fixtures that should have taken place at Box Lane were called off due to snow and so the seconds were glad to be able to get this fixture out of the way. Although there was no snow at Rhyl, conditions were hardly ideal as the game was played in an icy gale force wind which made concentration and control difficult.
To use the old cliche, it was a game of two halves. Rhyl dominated the first half which was punctuated with poor play in the Congleton defence and lack of imagination in attack. Congleton found it difficult to string more than a couple of passes together and the home side took advantage of this. Although Rhyl deserved their lead, their two goals both had more than a smattering of good fortune with the ball bouncing up awkwardly in the 'D' denying the Congleton defenders the chance to clear the ball decisively.
It was only after going two goals down that the Blues started to look more dangerous. Rupert Johnson and John Hodges provided good crosses for Paul Hawkins and Simon Brown, but the Rhyl keeper made a couple of excellent saves.
The second half could not have been more different from the first as Congleton, with the wind behind them, put together wave upon wave of assaults into the Rhyl 'D'. Alex Diggory had an excellent half and he came very close to scoring but it was Duncan Edmunds who did pull one goal back with a reverse stick sweep following good work by Brown and Hawkins.
Congleton continued to apply the pressure and seemed likely to get an equaliser, especially when a second Rhyl player was sin-binned for dissent. John Blake was allowed to push further forward and when his free hit found Brown clear and unmarked on the left, Congleton looked set to get back on level terms. Unfortunately, the ball somehow got caught up under Brown's feet and the opportunity passed.
Congleton team: I Mottershead; P Mottershead; J Blake; C Wolfenden; J Hodges; P Hodges; D Bales; A Diggory; D Edmunds; P Hawkins; S Brown; R Johnson.
Congleton 2nd XI 2 Wilmslow 2nd XI 7
The first men's league game to be played in Congleton for almost twenty years took place at Congleton High School on Saturday when the second team entertained Wilmslow.
The home side could not have got off to a better start when captain Dave Bales opened the scoring after 2 minutes from close range after Paul Hawkins shot was blocked. However, Wilmslow quickly equalised and took a 2-1 lead before Congleton levelled again through an own goal.
Before 20 minutes play had elapsed Wilmslow had reestablished a one goal lead and Congleton had been denied a perfectly good equaliser by Duncan Edmunds, which the umpire claimed was struck outside the 'D'.
After the opening flurry of goals, the tempo slowed down in the unseasonal and unexpected heat. For the rest of the half and the first twenty minutes of the second half there was some good end to end hockey in which neither team could score, although Congleton hit the post through Bales. At the other end, John Blake was having a terrific spell in defence.
Also of note was promising play from some of Congleton's junior members. Tom Schofield and Duncan Edmunds combined well with Danny Robinson to set up good attacks and Alex Diggory put in some good work when switched to midfield in the second half.
Unfortunately for Congleton, they tired rapidly in the last quarter of an hour and once Wilmslow had added a 4th goal, three more goals followed in quick succession giving a final scoreline which did not reflect the game as a whole.
The second's play host to a team from Denbigh, North Wales in their next game this Saturday which takes place at the High School at 2pm.
Congleton team: Rupert Johnson; Peter Mottershead; John Blake; Peter Hodges; Tom Schofield; Dave Bales; Paul Hawkins; Alex Diggory; James Davis; Duncan Edmunds; Danny Robinson; Peter Wharton.
Congleton 2nd XI 1 Denbigh 1st XI 3
Although meeting with their second successive league defeat, Congleton men's second team showed that they have the potential to do well in the league in time with an encouraging performance against last season's North Wales league champions from Denbigh.
The home side could only field ten men in a fast and furious first half which meant that the whole team had to cover more ground. In spite of being outnumbered, midfielders Dave Bales, Alex Diggory and Paul Hawkins were able to control the central area for long periods. They were ably supplied with pin point passing from John Blake who was again a giant in defence. Wingers James Davis and Danny Robinson came back looking for the ball to make the build up into attack that much easier allowing Congleton to give as good as they got in the first half.
Meanwhile, man of the match, Rupert Johnson returned to form with some great saves in goal - notably one from his own full back, Craig Wolfenden, who had a moment of panic in the defence. Apart from that, Craig had an excellent game at left back and he linked well with Diggory and Robinson down that flank.
The first half ended goalless which was a credit to the home side. Chris Diggory stepped in to make up a full contingent for Congleton in the second period but the extra effort already made on another hot day seemed inevitable to take it's toll.
Denbigh took the lead ten minutes after the restart and it looked like curtains for Congleton. However, the home side responded in the best possible way almost from the restart. Veteran, Malcolm Andrews found Hawkins on the right wing with a great through ball and after a terrific run into the opponents 'D' by Hawkins, Robinson pounced on the loose ball to score his first goal for the club from close range.
Denbigh were set back for a while but their strength saw them through in the end. In spite of dogged defending by Peter Mottershead and Blake, and more saves from Johnson, they were able to score twice more before the end to seal Congleton's fate.
Congleton will face many more tough games this season but if they keep up the effort and teamwork, they will start to reap some reward before too long.
Congleton team: Rupert Johnson; Peter Mottershead; John Blake; Craig Wolfenden; Dave Bales; Paul Hawkins; Alex Diggory; James Davis; Malcolm Andrews; Danny Robinson; Chris Diggory.
Marple 1st XI 4 Congleton 2nd XI 2
The seconds suffered their third successive defeat of the league campaign at Marple on Saturday, which saw them drop to the foot of North West Senior Division 8.
For the second week running they were unable to field a full team - this time lining up with just nine players, although John Blake must have driven like Michael Schumacher to arrive within 10 minutes of the start to make the numbers up to ten.
Before Blake's arrival, Marple had come close to scoring on three occasions and it was probably their own lack of self belief in front of goal that prevented them from converting any of their chances, having failed to score a single goal in their previous two games.
The home side finally broke their duck after twenty minutes. There were plenty of Congleton defenders in the 'D', but none seemed willing to make a challenge to the exasperation of keeper Rupert Johnson, who was beaten from close range.
It was a similar story 5 minutes later when Johnson was beaten only for Peter Hodges to clear the ball beautifully with his foot. Marple converted the resultant penalty flick with some style.
Congleton have shown good spirit so far this season and they managed to pull a goal back before half time, when Duncan Edmunds did all the hard work on the left before setting up Paul Hawkins with a tap in goal. Congleton then almost drew level when a fierce drive from Blake from a short corner severely tested the Marple keeper.
The second half saw the home side start to take control of the midfield and put Congleton under further pressure. All ten outfield players for Marple were under twenty and their fitness became a factor. However, the two youngest players on the pitch, Congleton's Andrew Wise and Matthew Butler, who were both making their debuts in the team, showed that Congleton can also produce talented youngsters.
Congleton succumbed to the pressure after a quarter of an hour falling 3-1 behind, but again responded quickly, this time Hawkins turned provider for Edmunds who coolly lifted the ball over the Marple keeper.
For a while, Congleton had hopes of grabbing a point but they were starting to become weary of the many poor umpiring decisions that were going against them. They could not argue, however, against the second penalty flick conceded again by Hodges who body checked a home forward inside the 'D'. Johnson got closer to this one but could not keep the ball out as Congleton's fate was sealed.
Congleton side: R Johnson; P Hodges; M Butler; A Wise; J Blake; D Bales; A Diggory; J Davis; P Hawkins; D Edmunds.
Congleton 2nd XI 3 Rhyl 2nd XI 0
The seconds turned the form book upside down at Congleton High School last Saturday and gained their first league points of the season in the process with a magnificent win over a team from Rhyl.
For the last three weeks Congleton have shown potential but have needed more strength and experience in midfield and John Hodges provided just what was required with a performance that saw him gain the man of the match award and score a goal for good measure. His tackling and distribution were superb and his inclusion in the team allowed the rest of the midfield to push forward more effectively and John Blake to concentrate on what he does best which is to defend.
Although Hodges excelled, every Congleton team member played with distinction in a game of good quality hockey. Paul Hawkins seemed to relish his switch to centre forward and Duncan Edmunds played with greater maturity at right midfield. The two were involved in the first big chance of the game which resulted from a one-two between Edmunds and captain Dave Bales inside the twenty-five, with Edmunds' cross being met first time by Hawkins whose shot smashed against the post.
Thankfully, it was not long before Hawkins did get his name on the score sheet. He beat one defender in the 'D' before lifting the ball cleverly over the oncoming keeper. Within ten minutes Congleton had scored again when Bales turned his marker inside out on the edge of the 'D' before unleashing a superbly placed shot which went just inside the right hand post.
Rhyl were clearly rattled and probably surprised that Congleton were dominating the game and started to get a little niggly before half-time, but the home side would not be intimidated.
The second half began in the best possible way with another Congleton goal. Hodges crowning his performance with a goal of his own making from a short corner.
The Welsh visitors did not really recover from this hammer blow although on the one occasion that they did get past Blake and his fellow defenders, Alex Diggory came to the rescue with a great goal line save.
Both teams tired in the last quarter of the game but it was the home side that carried on creating chances with Hodges in control, spreading the ball out wide to James Davis and Danny Robinson on the wings with precision.
The other members of the defence deserve a mention for keeping a clean sheet for the first time in over a year so well done to Peter Mottershead, Peter Hodges, Craig Wolfenden and Rupert Johnson and may it be the first of many!
Thanks to Kate Dale for stepping in and umpiring well at short notice.
Coongleton team ; R Johnson; P Mottershead; P Hodges; J Blake; D Edmunds; J Hodges; A Diggory; D Bales; J Davis; P Hawkins; D Robinson; C Wolfenden.
Llandudno 1st XI 10 Congleton 2nd XI 0
After the euphoria of last week's victory over Rhyl, the mens hockey 2nd XI came back down to earth with a bang on Saturday, losing heavily to a fast and skilful team from Llandudno.
Earlier in the week, the seconds had the disappointing news that last week's match winner, John Hodges, would be required by the first team and so they were again left to struggle with only ten players. Traffic problems meant that several team members arrived only just before the start and it was definitely a case of being caught cold, as the home team scored twice in the first two minutes.
Despite being under pressure for most of the rest of the first half, Congleton only let in one further goal before half time. John Blake and Peter Hodges played solidly at the back and the midfield worked hard to provide the tireless Paul Hawkins with a few good chances up front. All did not appear to be lost when the teams turned around at 3-0.
However, any aspirations Congleton had of getting back into the game were swiftly dashed when Llandudno struck three more times in the first five minutes of the second half. A further goal was added with a penalty flick which Rupert Johnson was very disappointed not to have saved, and although the remaining goals did not follow so easily, the home side managed to notch up a score of ten by full time.
In spite of the hopelessness of the task, Congleton's players stuck to it until the end and never stopped persevering with their passing game which they have developed over recent weeks. Danny Robinson and Duncan Edmunds, in particular, came out of the game with some merit. Unfortunately, tomorrow's home game will be no less difficult, against one of the two teams with a 100% record - Leyland Foxes.
Congleton team: R Johnson; P Mottershead; J Blake; P Hodges; D Edmunds; D Bales; D Robinson; A Diggory; J Davis; P Hawkins
Congleton 2nd XI 1 Leyland Foxes 2nd XI 1
Congleton men's seconds put up their best performance of the season so far at Congleton High School last Saturday earning a draw against a Leyland team which had not previously dropped a point.
The only real change to the side that conceded ten goals at Llandudno the week before, was the introduction of Richard Berry as sweeper which allowed John Blake and Peter Hodges to push up into more advanced positions in midfield. However, all did not run smoothly from the start, as goalkeeper, Rupert Johnson, was late back from a school game, and Alex Diggory bravely donned the spare goalkeeping kit for the first twenty five minutes of the game.
Fortunately, Diggory was not called into action a great deal in the early part of the game as the Foxes seemed surprisingly lacklustre and unable to make serious inroads into the Congleton 'D'. In fact, the home side soon settled into a good passing game with Blake, Hodges and Dave Bales dominating proceedings in midfield where their opponents were very lightweight. A number of early chances were created for Paul Hawkins and, although none were taken, it was apparent that the Foxes had not been expecting such strength of opposition and they clearly became edgy.
It was against the run of play, when the visitors took the lead with a well-taken reverse stick flick which somehow breached Diggory's heavily defended line. This was Diggory's last action in goal as Johnson arrived at the pitch just in time to see his side go down.
Congleton's response was almost immediate. Blake found Hawkins well positioned in the Foxes' 'D' with a free hit and the striker's execution was superb as he stopped the ball and reverse flicked it into the Foxes' net to enable Congleton to turn round at half-time back on level terms.
If anything, Congleton were even more dominant after the break, and it was great to see the ball passed around with such confidence using every member of the team. The debutant, Berry, started to marshal the defence as though he had been playing with the side all season working well with Craig Wolfenden. Diggory and Duncan Edmunds also came more into the game when moved into their more familiar midfield positions after ten minutes of the second half - Diggory replacing Peter Wharton who had turned in his best game of the season.
Many chances were created for Hawkins, Danny Robinson and James Davis to try and win the game for Congleton, including several from short corners, which the seconds must learn to capitalise on in future. However, it was Edmunds who twice came closest to scoring, the second effort missing the post by inches.
In the end, the men from Leyland were grateful for their point and no doubt relieved that their main rivals, Heywood, had also slipped up in their game.
Louise Robinson was again thanked for umpiring with a good sense of humour.
Congleton team: Rupert Johnson; Peter Mottershead; Richard Berry; Craig Wolfenden; Peter Hodges; John Blake; Peter Wharton; Dave Bales; James Davis; Paul Hawkins; Danny Robinson; Alex Diggory; Duncan Edmunds.
Salford University 2nd XI 4 Congleton 2nd XI 1
Congleton mens hockey second team showed again last Saturday that they are not good travellers when they lost their third consecutive away game of the season at Salford. Their opponents had not won a game previously but, in defeating the Blues, leapfrogged above them in North West Senior Division 8.
Congleton actually started the game the brighter of the two sides with some good passing moves to take the play into the Salford half. However, as the students settled down, it became clear that their strength and fitness would more than make up for their somewhat limited skills. With a few notable exceptions, Congleton still have a relatively young and inexperienced side and Salford were just the sort of quick opponents that can pressurise and harry the Congleton players into errors.
Both sides created chances in the first quarter hour but squandered numerous opportunities to score from short corners. When Salford did break the deadlock, it was from a long corner which they were allowed to use to start a passing move along the Congleton back line and into the 'D' and culminating in a tap in goal. Congleton's keeper, Rupert Johnson, was rightly dismayed at his defence's inability to get in a decent tackle.
A second Salford goal followed shortly afterwards when a free hit outside the 'D' was cleverly diverted into the net leaving the defence with no chance. Congleton fought back with Paul Hawkins coming very close to pegging a goal back but several more short corners were wasted. Unfortunately, Salford delivered the killer blow in the dying seconds of the half with a third goal - from a short corner.
Congleton started the second half knowing that they needed to keep the marking much tighter in defence if they were to be able to get back into the game. This they managed to do to some extent for the first twenty minutes. They were also tending to rely more on counter attacks mainly down the right with Peter Hodges and James Davis, and on other occasions straight through the centre, with Dave Bales and Danny Robinson feeding Hawkins.
The Blues were rewarded for their efforts after a quarter of an hour when John Blake moved the ball left to Bales from a short corner and the Congleton captain swept the ball into the net first time. There was a great deal of relief that a corner had finally been converted.
Bales had covered every inch of the pitch in his central midfield role and his close ball control had clearly impressed the students who named him the man of the match. Unfortunately, shortly after scoring, he suffered a pulled muscle and was forced to take a back seat as his team mates battled to add to their tally. However, it was an uphill struggle and with minutes to go, Salford scored a fourth goal which again had to be put down to poor marking in the 'D'.
Congleton will hope to recapture their home form in tomorrow's (Saturday's) game at Congleton High School against a strong Saraxens team.
Congleton side: R Johnson; P Wharton; J Blake; C Wolfenden; P Hodges; D Bales; A Diggory; D Robinson; J Davis; P Hawkins; A Wise: Umpire: P Mottershead.