Pitchero

Congleton Town

AFC Liverpool

T Morris (36'), M Adegbenro (38'), J Carey (42')

Full time

J Whittington (9', 90'), M Boyle (76')

Sat 2 Sep 15:00 - Hallmark Security North West Counties Football League - Premier Division Attendance 129

Report

Highlights

Selection

League round up

Bears denied by added time Equaliser

By Kevin Lawton

Congleton had new signing Thomas Morris in defence and brought in DavSherlock and Bove to mid-field in an attempt to gain a first win in four games.

The game began in even style with both sides creating half chances in the opening minutes, Fletcher heading a free kick wide and the Jones saving comfortably from a Liverpool attack.
AFC Liverpool took the lead on 9 minutes. A mix up in the Bears defence left Jones stranded outside his area, allowing Whittingham to roll the ball into the empty net from 10 yards.
The Bears almost drew level immediately but Adegbenro’s shot from a tight angle was well saved. This began a period of intense Bears pressure with Farnworth shooting over the bar, O’Reilly heading wide and Carey with a great shot from outside the box which went just wide with the keeper beaten. Fletcher then had a chance, but the keeper got in a good block.
On 36 minutes began 6 minutes of Bears magic. First new signing Tom Morris ran with the ball down the left wing, cut inside and fired the ball past the keeper for the equaliser. Two minutes later Adegbenro put the Bears in front. Sherlock found Fletcher who then played a neat ball through to Adegbenro and he beat the keeper from just inside the box. It was 3-1 just minutes later. Cavanagh hit a pin point cross into the box and Carey headed into the net from close range. This spell had really brought the Bears fans to life.
Half Time Congleton Town 3-1 AFC Liverpool
AFC came out for the second half in determined fashion and created a couple of chances which the defence dealt with well and Jones did brilliantly to deny Whittington on a one-on-one.
Fletcher was given an opportunity on 60 minutes when his first effort brought a corner and from this he narrowly shot over the bar. At the other end Boyle had a good chance but put his shot wide.
Bears then made a couple of subs, bringing on Peters for Bove and Chappell for Cavanagh. Morris almost made it four when he rose to head a Sherlock corner just wide and then Adegbenro beat the keeper from a tight angle only for the ball to bounce back of the post.
Immediately AFC were back in it with the ball being swept forward and Boyle finishing beyond Jones, 3-2.
On 84 minutes the Bears caught AFC on the break and Adegbenro looked certain to score, only for the ball to be cleared off the line. At the other end Boyle curled a shot just over the Bears bar.
The game entered added time with the both teams looking for another goal. Farnworth played in Fletcher who saw his shot blocked on the line and then heartbreak for the Bears as the ball was quickly moved towards the home goal and Whittingham scored his second of the game with a classic shot.
The final whistle followed and the Bears could not believe they had not taken all three points
Full Time Congleton Town 3-3 AFC Liverpool
Team: Jones, Farnworth, Morris, Stevens, O’Reilly, Sherlock, Bove, Cavanagh, Adegbenro, Carey, Fletcher
Subs: Peters (70), Chappell (70), Hill, Willingham (85), Groom
The Bears are in league action on Monday night with a trip to newly promoted Widnes, then it’s FA Vase action next weekend with a trip to Squires Gate.