League

Congleton
Spectators: 7567 (Terracing: 5698, Seating: 1747, VIP seats: 122) After a rather tough play, Congleton's Damien Farrell got a free kick in the 8th minute. 13 minutes into the match, Congleton's goal looked a bit too open when Shawn Daly came free, but Denis Rothwell reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Denis Rothwell showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Sammy Milburn in the 15th minute of the match. Billie Blakewell succeeded to score despite a near miss that spronge from right pole into the goal to 1-0 in the 18th playminute. The Congleton fans' excitement grew in the 21st match minute when Congleton's Billie Blakewell looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 2-0 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. Nicky Beattie showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Rex Burrows in the 25th minute of the match. 28 minutes into the game, Nick Ring was given a yellow card after he appeared to trip an opposing player. Congleton's manager was livid on the sidelines, but the referee was unmoved and gave Bin Bits the free kick. The supporters of Bin Bits booed when Congleton was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 28 match minutes in a wonderful position. Nick Ring didn't get a good kick on the ball. Denis Rothwell showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Sammy Milburn, who was totally free with the ball in the 30th minute. If Sammy Milburn had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 34th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Sammy Milburn struck a weak shot in the 37th minute. Denis Rothwell didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Bin Bits. Denis Rothwell took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Shawn Daly, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. If Sammy Milburn had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 43rd minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Shawn Daly in the 45th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Denis Rothwell saved Congleton from getting behind. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 2-0.

The wind increased when Rex Burrows made the kick off in the second half. Marty Marsden charged in rather forcefully in the 54th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Marty Marsden the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play. In a very dangerous position, a player in Congleton fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 53rd minute. Penalty! Denis Rothwell made an important save on a dangerous shot by Shawn Daly in the 56th minute. Sammy Milburn received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 58th minute. Denis Rothwell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Nicky Beattie took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Rex Burrows, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Shawn Daly received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 65th minute. Denis Rothwell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Shawn Daly sent away a hard shot on goal in the 67th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Sammy Milburn recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 69th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. If Sammy Milburn had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 71st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. When the match clock showed 74 minutes, the score became 2-1 when Shawn Daly sped through Congleton's defense and sent away a curving shot that went into the net to the right of Denis Rothwell. In the 79th minute the ball was on its way in behind Congleton's goalkeeper Denis Rothwell, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. 81 minutes into the match, Congleton's goalkeeper Denis Rothwell had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Shawn Daly. Shawn Daly fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 82nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Denis Rothwell having to interfere. Sammy Milburn might have been able to make a better finish in the 84th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Denis Rothwell. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Sammy Milburn ran back to his position shaking his head. Shawn Daly fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 85th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Denis Rothwell having to interfere. Sacha Hardwick charged in rather forcefully in the 89th minute of the match, and managed to knock his opponent down. The referee showed Sacha Hardwick the yellow card, and asked the players to shake hands before continuing play.