Congleton Town 0-0 Squires Gate

North West Counties League, Saturday 23rd September 2014

Tom Rutter was given his starting debut for the Bears.

Congleton began the game at a great pace. An early free kick was cleverly worked on the edge of the box, but the cross evaded everyone. The Squires Gate keeper was their saviour throughout the first half, pulling off a number of fine saves as the home side were in command of the ball.

Arron Kirk was came close foe the Bears when a volley from a free kick was cleared by Westwood in the Squires defence.

The visitors few forays into the Bears half were more often than not, caught out by a well organised defence and off side trap.

Ellison in the Bears goal didn’t get a touch of the ball for the first twenty minutes, so dominant were the home side.

For all their possession, Congleton could not break down the Squires Gate defence and began to get a little frustrated.

As the half drew to a close, the visitors created a few chances and should have scored when a cross missed the head of an unmarked forward in the six yard box. As the Bears continued to push forward they were nearly caught out when a counter attack saw Dickinson for Squires gate drive the ball just wide of the post.

HT Congleton Town 0-0 Squires Gate

Into the second half and Squires Gate started strongly and created several early chances. Elison pulled off a fine one-on-one save to deny the on-rushing Sowerby,

On the 70th minute the Bears had a clear penalty shout turned down after a coming together in the box, the ref indicated otherwise and waved play on, much to the disgust of the players and home fans.

As the game wore on, Congleton continued to apply the pressure, but the all-important goal would just not come.

Full Time: Congleton Town 0-0 Squire Gate.

Team: Craig Ellison, Chris Middleton, Nathan Haynes, Andy Langford, George Whiteoak, Paul Hudson, Arron Kirk, Scott Sephton, Nick Rogan, Scott Barlow, Tom Rutter

Subs used: Brandon Moores, Macauley Booth, Andy Alston. Unused: Martin Pearson, Simon Thompson

Bears definitely believed that this was a game that they should have taken all three points from.