CONGLETON TOWN FC 0, NEWCASTLE TOWN FC 0
(NPL Division One West)
Another bottom of the table battle lay ahead as Newcastle travelled briefly north to the Cleric Stadium for a game already twice postponed.
Last season the Castle, NPL members since 2010, ended the season in 16th position, in the process drawing 0-0 with, and losing 2-1, to the Bears.
They were in 21st place on Tuesday, a point behind the Bears but with a game in hand, (writes Mike McLaughlin).
It was a chilly evening, very breezy with rain on the way.
The U13s paraded before a minute’s silence was observed for recently deceased long-time fan Roy Davies.
It was also Dan Needham’s 200th appearance and Darren Chadwick’s birthday. It was to be hoped that the game would be kind to two such outstanding club stalwarts.
As daunting as the weather was, 357 hardy souls had emerged as the teams were announced. The Bears rang out: Parton, Liptrott, Lay, Williams, Brisley, Chadwick (c), Knapper, Hartshorn, Badjie, Raymond and Needham. Bates, Hesketh, Sankey, Hampton and Gillam waited in reserve.
Newcastle looked a youthful outfit.
The Bears opened proceedings, the wind largely in their faces.
They began energetically, Needham clipping an effort narrowly over after barely a minute.
Pace was frantic, both teams piling forward, offside flags attempting to stifle their enthusiasm and ambition.
The Bears were hitting it hard, moving quickly and purposefully, desperate for an early goal.
It was past 10 before the visitors showed signs of settling.
They swirled in a dangerous freekick on 19 and, on 20, Parton was stretched by a sharp shot.
Newcastle now looked the pacier team but the linesmen were still busy at both ends as attackers continued to break too soon.
A corner on 31 brought some relief for the home side and Chadwick’s strong header was not far off target.
Unfortunately, his team were now looking disjointed, passing inaccurate, the visitors running midfield, prompting Dot to suggest that they had an extra man.
Knapper, with his typical belligerent bursts, was maintaining some home hope and, on 34, Raymond almost profited with a shot sailing only narrowly high.
The Bears regained some composure as the interval approached but proceedings had not been particularly satisfactory for both team and fans alike.
Perhaps, with conditions in their favour, the second half would be better.
Intent
On 46 Hartshorn headed marginally over as his team resumed with intent.
Back came the Castle and Parton was forced into athletic action.
Although the game was quick and competitive, there was a distinct lack of quality in the play of both sides, a game of kicking not passing , observed Ray.
By the hour the Bears were establishing some control and a significant territorial advantage.
Raymond and Badjie linked well on several occasions, threatening some spark of inspiration.
It was now raining heavily.
Conditions were difficult for players, thoroughly unpleasant for spectators.
On 67 the persistent Badjie was close with a cross shot.
The game was stretching, space was apparent all across the midfield.
Both teams were trying hard to create but the Bears were maintaining their grip, the hope that their labour and persistence would eventually bear fruit.
Sadly, it was not to be.
Movements trundled forward to founder time after time on the rock of a final misplaced or clumsy pass.
The visitors briefly developed some pressure as added time approached and the home side needed to be alert to maintain their superiority on the pitch if sadly not on the scoreboard.
It had been a disappointing and frustrating game, lacking both quality and drama, albeit played in awful, restrictive conditions.
Neither side had a convincing claim for a victory despite their undoubted and considerable efforts.
Manager Richard Duffy said that his team never really got going and didn’t deserve to win. They had survived the disadvantages of the first half but didn’t improve enough in the second half to capitalise. His players were trying very hard but were currently clearly lacking confidence. They had been defensively solid but, in attack, the final critical touches continued to elude them.
(Photo: Ell Treanor Photography).
