YEAR 8 AND 10 v ALSAGER- 24th September

Two Defeats in Two Days for Year 10

Year 10 were hoping to bounce back with a win tonight (Wednesday 24^th September) in their first league fixture of the season after a 4-2 penalty shootout defeat against Manchester Academy in round one of the ESFA Cup yesterday.

Despite the penalty-shootout defeat Mr French said that it was “one of the greatest games of school football” he had ever seen. CHS came back from 3-0 down to force extra time. Neither team could win the match in extra time so penalties were used to decide who went through. Congleton scored just two of their penalties whereas Manchester scored all four of theirs. 

In today’s match Mr French was hoping his team would bounce back with a win and wanted to see “more of the same” as he was impressed with CHS’ physicality in their cup match. However, he did point out he wanted his side to be more clinical in front of goal.

Being clinical was not a problem last time CHS faced Alsager with CHS emphatic victors in an 8-2 win. However, Alsager looked bigger and better than last time.

Mr French opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation, the same formation used the previous day.

It was Alsager who had the first chance of the game with a free kick, from just outside the area, going close on eight minutes. Two minutes later, one of Alsager’s players clearly thought he was ‘Maradona’, punching the ball onto the crossbar. However, the referee spotted it, unlike when Maradona did it against England at the 1986 World Cup, and awarded a free-kick to Congleton.

It wasn’t until 12 minutes before CHS adventured into the final third after good work from Bradley Oliver and Amy Rodgers in midfield. However, Ramtin Musah could not control a good ball from Rodgers and the chance was gone.

A minute later, Alsager broke clear of CHS’ back four. Goalkeeper, David Speed came out of his area to try and get to the ball. However, the striker went around him but luckily for CHS defender Sam Cosgrove was on hand to intercept the shot eight yards out.

CHS had a corner in the 15^th minute. An Alsager defender climbed the highest to clear the danger but only as far as James Reid. Reid’s shot from outside the area was caught comfortably by the goalkeeper. The Alsager goalkeeper kicked the ball up field, Alsager’s striker beat the offside trap again. David Speed again came off his line to narrow the angle and the strikers shot was straight at Speed.

Evan Corless’ shot, from the left of the area, then went only a few yards wide of the far post.

Sam Cosgrove came to CHS’ rescue once again in the first half to keep the score goalless at half-time. Alsager’s winger beat CHS’ right back, Danny Pointon en-route towards CHS’ goal. The winger went around the on-rushing, David Speed before shooting from an acute angle towards an open net. However, Sam Cosgrove got across to the near post to stop Alsager breaking the deadlock seven minutes before half-time.

Halftime- Congleton 0-0 Alsager

Congleton had the first chance of the second-half. David Speed’s goal kick found James Reid by the left sideline. He played the ball to Ramtin Musah, who turned the defender before laying the ball off to Bradley Oliver. Oliver advanced into the box but the goalkeeper rushed off his line and stopped his shot from progressing any further to the goal than just a few yards.

Alsager finally broke the deadlock in the 6^th minute of the second half. Alsager’s striker broke clear of the CHS backline. CHS goalkeeper, David Speed came out of the area to block the shot. However, he only cleared the danger as far as an Alsager midfielder, whose half-volley went over Speed, who was tracking back to his goal line, and found the net. 1-0 Alsager.

16 minutes later, Alsager doubled their lead direct from a free-kick. Alsager were awarded a free-kick to the left of centre about 35 yards out. Alsager whipped the ball into the box, David Speed shouted to his defence to leave it as he came out into the group of players in the box. However, he misjudged the flight of the ball, which went straight over him and into the back of the net. 2-0 Alsager.

It was soon 3-0. Alsager’s forward line again got in behind the CHS defence. The striker lifted his shot over the on-rushing, David Speed and into the goal. 3-0 Alsager.

CHS then went close on three occasions in the final five minutes of the match and in the final minute were awarded a penalty. Bradley Oliver, who missed a penalty during yesterday’s cup match, stepped up. The goalkeeper went the right way and pushed the ball onto the left post. Oliver made no mistake in scoring the rebound. 3-1 Alsager.

There was just enough time for Alsager to restore their three goal lead. From the restart, Alsager again broke through CHS’ back four before striking home.

Full-Time- Congleton 1-4 Alsager.

Year 8 were also in action tonight against Alsager looking to win back-to-back games in just two days having beaten St. Margaret Ward 6-1 away yesterday in the English School’s Cup. Tom Brookes scored a hat-trick on his debut with the other CHS goals coming through Whitehead, Clowes and Williams.

However, they could not make it two wins in two days falling to a 6-1 defeat against Alsager. Jay-Jay Goodwin got CHS’ only goal after a cross from Tom Brookes.

Written by Adam Bailey

YEAR 9 v ALSAGER- 23rd September

Year 9 Start League Campaign with a Win

Year 9 started their league campaign away at Alsager School yesterday (Tuesday 23^rd September) looking to bounce back from their previous defeat in the ESFA Cup. Mr de Souza’s starting formation was his favoured 4-2-3-1 system, which saw the addition of Nathan Lupton at right back coming in for Rory Hughes.

Six minutes in, an unlikely situation occurred when Jamie Casey (aka J.C) went off with an injury which resulted in him missing the rest of the game. He was replaced by Olly Byram.

Shortly after the substitution, Josh Brindley cracked one into the net after some great build up play. 1-0 CHS. The whole team were rewared again after Josh got his second goal of the match, from close match.

The opposition were held to very few opportunities although their most clear cut chance was an in swinging that was headed wide at the back post. A close shave for CHS. However, CHS held firm to go into half-time 2-0 up.

The message at half-time was to be more clinical with the chances CHS had created and be weary of the speed Alsager had up front. Mr de Souza made some key decisions at half-time by replacing Tom Bestwick with Harry Grigg at left back and Josh Brindley made way for Alex Turner.

Harry Pointon smashed in a long range shot into the bottom corner, shortly after the break. 3-0 CHS. Mr de Souza was enjoying the entertainment after seeing his side dominating in midfield and being solid at the back, with plenty of chances created.

A short corner from George Johnson was returned back to him by Harry Grigg and was whipped into the box. The cross was deflected and was nodded in by Finley Jackson, which wrapped up the win for CHS.

Alex Bell had the main striker in his pocket for the whole game and Josh Robertson made some important saves as well as communicating with the back four. Matt Needham and Alex Turner’s contribution to the side was acknowledged by the team.

All in all it was a great day for year 9.

Goal Scorers- Josh Brindley 2, Harry Pointon, Finley Jackson.

Man of the Match- Alex Bell

Written by Alex Bell and Jamie Casey

YEAR 9 ESFA CUP ROUND TWO- 22nd September

Year 9 Knocked Out of English School’s Cup

After their penalty shoot-out victory last week in round one of the under 14’s Playstation School’s Cup, Year 9 were unable to progress any further in the cup following a 4-1 home defeat to Tameside’s Audenshaw High School.

Before kick-off CHS knew they would have to beat a tough team with Audenshaw thrashing Cheadle Hulme 9-0 in round one and during the warm-up they looked organised and disciplined. They also had a height and physical advantage. The big question was would CHS have enough firepower to outscore the team from Tameside and would Congleton’s defence be able to cope with Audenshaw’s firepower? The answer to both of those questions was no they wouldn’t.

Year 9 lined-up similar to their last match in the cup with manager, Mr de Souza looking to play 4-2-3-1. Congleton were missing a few of their players from the team that beat St Thomas More with goalkeeper Josh Roberton returning to the starting XI after being unavailable for the last match. Mr de Souza had to referee the match and would be a big miss on the sidelines, not only to keep me company, but he is normally very vocal on the touchline.

First Half

CHS made a dream start to the match with them opening the scoring just three minutes into the match although against the run of play. Audenshaw dominated the opening exchanges of the match and the first time CHS had the ball in Audenshaw’s half led to them breaking the deadlock. The move came from Harry Pointon’s throw-in, on the halfway line, which found Matt Needham who was running towards the left edge of the area. Audenshaw’s defender put the ball out for another throw-in, near the corner flag. The resulting throw-in found Matt Needham just inside the area, he turned before getting ready to have a shot at goal. However, before he was able to pull the trigger, Audenshaw’s defender was deemed to have tripped him and the referee awarded Congleton a very early penalty and allowed Finley Jackson a chance to give CHS an early lead.

Jackson made no mistake in scoring the penalty, coolly placing the ball in the bottom left corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. 1-0 CHS.

Audenshaw continued to dominate the possession and on six minutes they had their first shot on target although the long range effort did not cause Josh Robertson any problems. However, a minute later, Audenshaw were back on level terms. It was a great strike from Audenshaw’s midfielder, which went just over Robertson’s reach. 1-1.

CHS were awarded a free-kick in the 11^th minute. Harry Pointon curled the ball over the wall but could keep it down enough to go under the crossbar with his strike going a few feet over.

Audenshaw took the lead for the first time six minutes later. A brilliant ball from the left sideline got in behind CHS’ defence. Audenshaw’s striker and CHS’ defender Tom Bell both gave chase, battling to get to the ball first, but a lack of communication between Bell and goalkeeper Josh Robertson, saw Robertson rush to the edge of the area to try and get to the ball first too.  However, both Robertson and Bell missed the ball which saw Audenshaw’s striker latch onto it and left him with a simple tap-in. 2-1 Audenshaw.

With 20 minutes on the clock, the match was interrupted because of a dog on the pitch- not something you see every day!

Congleton started to come into the match more in the last ten minutes of the first half and they were actually the better team in this period. First, George Johnson’s shot was straight at Audenshaw’s goalkeeper after good work from Harry Pointon on the left. A minute later, CHS were again breaking on the left flank. George Johnson again accelerating on the left wing but his cross was gathered by the goalkeeper. The left side was an area CHS could see they could exploit but still the final ball was missing.

With CHS unable to make more of their chances at the end of the first half at halftime the score was Congleton 1-2 Audenshaw.

Second Half

Congleton’s first shot on target in the second half did not come until the 10^th minute of the half. Finley Jackson’s volley needed a good save from Audenshaw’s goalkeeper to keep Audenshaw ahead.

Two minutes later, Audenshaw extended their lead. Josh Robertson had to react quickly to stop a shot from close range to the left finding the net. Robertson got down low and pushed his right leg to the near post to block the ball. The ball bounced off his lower leg back into the danger area. CHS did not clear the ball despite Robertson’s shouts to clear the danger and Congleton were punished, by not responding, with Audenshaw powering the ball into the bottom left corner from 14-yards out.

Robertson kept CHS in the game with two good saves to deny Audenshaw extending their lead further. First, he came off his line to deny an Audenshaw shot. He then came out during a one-on-one and gathered the ball from the striker’s feet- brave goalkeeping.

CHS’ goalkeeper, however, could not keep out Audenshaw’s next advance into the CHS box. Audenshaw broke on the left, a cross came into the six yard box and a first time finish into the net surely would seal an Audenshaw victory with just 12 minutes left. However, CHS came back from 3-1 down with less than five minutes to go in the last round. The question was could they do it again today?

There were signs that they could after some brilliant work from George Johnson on the right. He picked the ball on the halfway line before running at the Audenshaw left back. He then played the ball beyond the defender before sprinting past him. Johnson’s cross across goal was dangerous but went straight across the goalmouth with no CHS connection coming from inside the box.

Johnson had another chance with five minutes left of the match. Finley Jackson played a beautiful ball forward which put Johnson one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He rounded the keeper but his touch was too heavy and the ball went out for a goal kick. A missed opportunity.

Less than a minute later, Finley Jackson’s chip from left of the goal beat the Audenshaw goalkeeper but hit the top of the crossbar. That turned out to be Congleton’s last chance and the result was Congleton 1-4 Audenshaw at fulltime, which sees CHS’ year 9 knocked out in their second match of the English School’s cup for the second consecutive year.

Year 9 manager, Mr de Souza said after the match-

“The best team won. They [Audenshaw] were the better team all-round. Having said that we had four or five chances to score.”

Mr de Souza and year 9 now turn their attentions to the league with them looking to bounce back with a win away at Alsager tomorrow.

Written by Adam Bailey

OPENING ROUNDS OF ESFA CUP- September 2014

Opening Rounds of the English School’s Cup

It has been a mixed start to the English School’s Cup for Congleton High School’s teams. Following the year 9 boys comeback which saw them beat St Thomas More last week, year 7 boys and the under 16 girls both joined year 9 in the next round this week. However, year 11 boys will not be going any further in the national tournament.

Year 7 play 9-a-side on a smaller pitch and they started with a 1-0 win away at Woodhouse Academy last week and now face an away tie at Ormiston Horizon Academy [Stoke-on-Trent] in the next round.

The Year 11 boys were hoping to pick-up where they left off last season in the English School’s Cup when they reached the last 32 before losing 4-1 to Range High School. They started their cup campaign this year away at Tythrington High School on Wednesday. Mr Donnelly would have been hoping for a repeat of when the two teams met last November in the Cheshire Cup when a dominant CHS won 4-1. On that occasion, the scores were level after the opening half. However CHS found themselves trailing 2-1 at half-time, this time around, but with only one goal in it everyone knew the game was still anybody’s. However, Tythrington added another three after half-time with CHS only managing to add one. A 5-2 defeat saw CHS leave the competition at the first time of asking.

The girls have fared well in the English School’s Cup in recent years with the under 15 girls last year reaching the national semi-final and with the girls now competing at a higher age group than last year, hopes are still high about their chances this year. The under 16 girls started their cup campaign away at Flixton Girls’ School in Trafford and triumphed in a hard fought 7-5 victory. Goalkeeper, Chloe Tatton impressed on her debut in goal and Amy Rodgers was different class scoring five goals.

CHS found themselves 4-3 down at half-time with CHS’ first half goals coming from Beth Jones and two from Amy Rodgers. Rodgers added a second half hat-trick to her brace from the first half and Poppy Jones also got on the score sheet which secured a 7-5 victory and a place in the next round. The girls are still waiting to find out who will be their next opponents.

The year 9 boys will play Audenshaw School from Tameside at home tomorrow (Monday 22^nd September) in round two of the competition and there will be a match report on the blog later tomorrow night. They came back from losing 3-1 at half-time to win 5-4 on penalties in the last round (full match report below).

This week also sees the opening week of league fixtures with all years battling it out against Alsager.

Written by Adam Bailey

YEAR 9 v ST. THOMAS MORE (English School's Cup) - 11th September

An Inspired Comeback Ends with a Grandstand Finish

Congleton High School’s football season got underway tonight (Thursday 11^th September) with year 9 facing St. Thomas More (Stoke-on-Trent) in round one of the ESFA under 14 boys Playstation Schools’ Cup. Congleton High were trailing 1-3 but two goals within the final five minutes was enough to force penalties and saw them triumph 5-4.

Congleton started brightly and went close inside the opening five minutes of the first half. First, Finley Jackson could not keep his header down from a corner and saw the ball go over the bar. Congleton then went close again from a corner, this time Harry Pointon was unchallenged in the area but could not direct his header goal wards from close range. Pointon went near again but his ball across the box from the right hit the top of the crossbar.

However, it was St Thomas More who broke the deadlock after six minutes. A long ball from St Thomas More’s defence bounced over the CHS defence. Congleton’s goalkeeper Grigg came out of his area but More’s striker beat him to it. One of CHS’ defender did well to recover and get back but he could not prevent the ball from rolling across the line despite sliding to try and reach it. 0-1 St Thomas More.

Ten minutes on the clock and CHS nearly equalised after a good move. Pointon was put through on the right wing but his shot went just over. Five minutes later, George Johnson broke clear on the right. He decided to cross it instead of going for glory himself but it fell straight into the keeper’s hands.

St Thomas More doubled their lead after 20 minutes. Congleton’s goalkeeper produced a good save at the near post, pushing the ball around it for a corner after St Thomas More got in behind CHS’ defence. The corner was played in low into empty space 12 yards out. There was a rush to get to the ball, St. Thomas More got there first but the shot was deflected off a CHS leg. The ball then fell to another St. Thomas More player whose shot evaded the dozen legs and went past Congleton’s goalkeeper, who would have only seen the ball late on. Two minutes later it was 0-3 St. Thomas More. The ball was played to the right of the CHS area. Congleton’s goalkeeper came out but couldn’t get there. St. Thomas More’s striker’s shot from 14 yards out evaded Nathan Lupton’s attempted header on the line en-route to finding the back of the net.

Five minutes before half time, Congleton deservedly pulled a goal back. Logan Clowes’ shot was blocked by a sliding St. Thomas More defender however, the ball appeared to strike his arm. The referee hesitated before giving the penalty for handball. Finley Jackson stepped up, the goalkeeper went the right way but couldn’t keep his penalty out. It was a well taken penalty by Jackson, which ended in the bottom right corner of the net.

Congleton went near again three minutes later. George Johnson used his pace down the right to escape the defenders before crossing the ball into the box. A deflected shot fell to Finley Jackson whose header went straight across the goalmouth.

Half time- Congleton 1-3 St. Thomas More 

Congleton were unlucky to be behind never mind two goals down. They created a number of chances but just lacked that killer edge or the ball didn’t fall to them something which manager, Mr de Souza hoped would change in the second half.

It was St. Thomas More who had the first chance of the second half after a long ball from the restart went over CHS’ defence. St. Thomas More’s striker latched onto it but, luckily for CHS, his effort was off-target.

Harry Pointon’s long throw caused St. Thomas More problems before half time substitute, Matt Needham’s shot was stopped by Thomas More’s goalkeeper. Six minutes into the second half, Elliot Darmon’s ball from the left went across the goalmouth but CHS could not apply the faintest of touches it needed to send the ball into the back of the net.

Halfway through the second half, St. Thomas More had their first shot on target in the second half but it was a routine save for the CHS goalkeeper at the near post.

Mr de Souza decided to switch to the more traditional 4-2-2 formation and brought Logan Clowes back on with 13 minutes left.

Matt Needham made it 2-3 with four minutes to go to set-up a grandstand finish. CHS’ initial shot was cleared on the line; the rebound was then deflected before Needham was on hand to knock the ball into the net from a yard out- perhaps one of the easiest goals he will ever score. Following, Needham’s goal Mr de Souza switched to 3-4-3 to try and grab an equaliser. However, many thought it was too late with only a few minutes left.

How wrong they were.....as in the final minute of the game Congleton were awarded a corner. Mr de Souza wanted the ball to be played to Finley Jackson, who had a height advantage and is good with his head. After a flick-on the ball was in the air and Jackson attacked it and his header was powerful enough to send the match to penalties.

St. Thomas More took the first penalty and made no mistake powering the ball to the right side of the net (0-1). Finley Jackson then virtually re-enacted the penalty he scored earlier in the game for Congleton. The goalkeeper again going the right way but couldn’t get a hand to it due to it being right in the bottom corner (1-1). St. Thomas More kept the pressure on CHS after they scored their second which was a less powerful version of Jackson’s penalty (1-2). Congleton’s second penalty taker made the scores level with a composed finish to the right (2-2). St. Thomas More then missed their following penalty. Congleton’s goalkeeper would have been glad to see it roll past the post as he would not have been able to get a hand to it (2-2). Man of the Match, Harry Pointon then confidently found the bottom right corner (3-2). St. Thomas More kept the pressure on CHS with a lovely finish, right and high (3-3). Matt Needham made no mistake with his penalty finding the bottom left corner (4-3). St. Thomas More then scored their fifth penalty (4-4) which meant that Logan Clowes had his penalty to send Congleton through to the next round. Clowes emphatically made sure CHS won the penalty shoot-out with his penalty high and hard down the centre of the goal (5-4).

It was an incredible turnaround from Congleton to comeback from three goals down to win. Every player can take pride in how they performed as it was definitely a team effort. Congleton will now play either Audenshaw School (Tameside) or Cheadle Hulme School in the next round.

It was also excellent and very encouraging to see over 100 students participating in extra-curricular activities tonight including football and rugby.

Written by Adam Bailey