UNDER 16 GIRLS v ST. WILFRID'S- 15th December

Under-16 Girls Suffer Cup Exit

CHS’ under-16 girls were knocked out of English School’s Football Association (ESFA) Playstation School’s Cup by St. Wilfrid’s Catholic High School.

CHS were hoping to reach the quarter-finals of the national competition for the second successive year and there was also an added incentive of playing St. Bede’s in the next round, a team who denied CHS a place in the final last year.

However, Congleton faced a difficult task with the team from Wakefield scoring 44 goals in just four games to reach this stage of the competition. The first half was a close contest with St. Wilfrid’s having the slight advantage at half-time with them leading CHS 2-3 at the break.

St. Wilfrid’s had too much firepower for Congleton and added another four goals in the second half. CHS struggled to respond and could only add one goal. The match finished Congleton 3-7 St. Wilfrid’s.

Although they were unable to reach the last four this time around, the team can take great pride in how they have played throughout the tournament which has seen them reach the last 16 out of a total of 271 schools that entered.

In previous rounds, CHS have beaten Flixton Girls’ School 7-5, Astley Sports College 4-3, Anthony Gell 6-0 and they came from behind to beat Helsby 2-1 in the last round.

The girl’s are still in the Cheshire Cup and will travel to Helsby in the next round.

Written by Adam Bailey

UNDER 16 GIRLS v HELSBY HIGH SCHOOL (ESFA CUP- ROUND 5)- 4th December

Under-16 Progress in National Cup

Tonight (Thursday 4^th December) the under-16 girls’ came from behind to beat Helsby High School 2-1 in round five of the Premier League School’s Cup. The victory saw them through to the last-16 in the country.

Both teams had chances inside the opening five minutes but it was CHS who came closest to opening the scoring on five minutes, when Amy Rodgers saw her shot from 25 yards out deflected just wide.

CHS continued to find themselves in good positions but were unable to provide that clinical finish with Helsby’s goalkeeper required on various occasions to collect CHS crosses. Another, Lucy Wright cross was just behind Beth Jones, in the middle of the area, who couldn’t direct her glancing header goalwards.

Helsby looked threatening on the break but the away side could only manage shots from outside the area, which did not cause CHS goalkeeper, Sian Wright too many problems.

CHS had their best chance of opening the scoring on 24 minutes. A Congleton corner, from the left, resulted in Beth Jones firing over from close range. Her reaction said it all, she knew she should have done better with her shot.

Four minutes later, she had a chance to make up for her miss when she was through on goal but her shot, from the left of centre, was straight at the onrushing goalkeeper.

Congleton continued to try and break the deadlock and Lucy Wright found space inside the area, in the final few minutes of the first half, but her rising shot, from 12 yards out, was straight at the Helsby goalkeeper.

The final piece of action of the first half was arguably one of CHS’ best pieces of play with them playing with a much higher tempo, but the shot, from inside the area, went over the crossbar.

Half-time- Congleton 0-0 Helsby

CHS manger, Mr Naylor decided to counter-act the problem of Helsby breaking by dropping Lucy Wright into centre-back to sure up the CHS defence and also moved Zoe Tweats into centre-midfield alongside Hollie Massey.

Mr Naylor provided the half-time entertainment showing off his dance moves to Olly Murs’ new single ‘Wrapped Up’- if he wasn’t a PE teacher then I am sure he would have made it as a backing dancer!

It is just a shame that his dancing did not encourage CHS as it was Helsby who broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half. CHS’ high defensive line was playing on the half-way line and Helsby’s number nine beat the offside trap (although it was very tight) and saw herself through on goal. Lucy Wright did brilliantly to recover and managed to stop Helsby’s forward but she could not get a hard enough touch on the ball to clear the danger. Instead Helsby’s striker showed great composure and her shot, from 14 yards, found the bottom corner.

CHS nearly drew level, three minutes later, but Zoe Tweats placed shot from close range was brilliantly pushed away from the goal by a low diving save by the Helsby goalkeeper. Unfortunately, Beth Jones could not steer the rebound goalwards.

However, Congleton were level two minutes later. Beth Jones’ shot was turned onto the post by the goalkeeper’s feet before ricocheting off the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. 1-1. Game On.

Helsby nearly found themselves in front again when Lucy Wright miss-judged her header on the half-way line, with the ball going backwards off her head. This allowed Helsby’s striker to get behind the CHS defence and through on goal. However, player of the match, Lydia Bennet did fantastic to get back and produce a goal saving block to stop the striker’s shot before Lucy Wright recovered from her mistake to clear the danger.

Bennet’s block seemed even more important when CHS went in front for the first time in the game one minute later. Amy Rodgers beat the last defender to the ball. All she had to do was put the ball past the keeper (although this is harder said than done) and she calmly rolled the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper from the edge of the box and none of Helsby’s defenders could get back in time to prevent Congleton taking the lead with just five minutes left.

Emma Nisbit nearly sealed the victory and CHS’ place in the next round, two minutes from time, but she saw her shot from the edge of the area go only a couple of feet wide.

Full-time- Congleton 2-1 Helsby

CHS showed great character in turning the game on its head and deserved to go through to the last-16 in the country where they face a home tie against St. Wilfrid’s Catholic High School from Wakefield.

These two teams will meet again in a few weeks time when CHS will travel to Helsby in the Cheshire Trophy quarter-final.

Written by Adam Bailey

YEAR 7 v WELLINGTON- 27 November

Current year 7 the “strongest year 7 rugby group CHS have seen in the last three years”

Tonight the year 7 rugby team started their high-school rugby career’s with a 10-10 draw in what was a well balanced game against Wellington.

It was a promising start to high school rugby for the year 7’s despite many of the students playing in what was their first ever game of rugby. Mr Cross said that this was the “strongest year 7 group CHS have seen in the last three years.” He added that if the side carried on from where they started then he would not be all surprised if five or six students did not end up playing at county level.

The man of the match award went to Tom Kennedy.

Rugby at Congleton High keeps going from strength to strength and if you want to be part of it then training is on a Tuesday night.

Written by Adam Bailey

YEAR 8 v LYMM- 27th November

Gutsy Performance from Year 8

The year 8 football team were knocked out of the Cheshire Cup by a very good Lymm side tonight.

It was a gutsy performance from CHS with Kai McCormack’s brace putting Congleton 2-0 up however Lymm eventually won 6-2. CHS continued to push hard, when going 3-2 down, which perhaps led to the slightly unflattering score line.

Written by Adam Bailey

UNDER 16 GIRLS v EATON BANK (CHESHIRE CUP)- 14th November

Under-16 girls triumph again

The under-16 girls football team progressed in another cup competition tonight (Friday 14^th November) as they went through to the next round of the Cheshire School’s Cup after beating arch-rivals, Eaton Bank 7-0.

Eaton Bank won the toss and decided to change sides, with CHS forced to attack a sodden goalmouth in the first half.

Congleton were on top from the opening minute when Hollie Massey picked the ball up just inside the Eaton Bank half. She ran forward towards the Eaton Bank defence and found herself in behind them. The Eaton Bank goalkeeper came out to collect her cross, if the goalkeeper hadn’t then CHS could have found themselves taking an early lead with a CHS player running in just behind the goalkeeper.

CHS had another chance to take the lead in the second minute. Lucy Wright played an excellent ball, from the right, to the left edge of the Eaton Bank area. Beth Jones hit it first time but she could not direct her shot goalwards.

Eaton Bank had to deal with continued Congleton pressure in the opening ten minutes with CHS creating a number of openings inside the Eaton Bank box. However, the conditions made it very difficult for CHS to be clinical in front of goal.

On eleven minutes, Eaton Bank’s goal kick went straight to Emma Nisbet, on the outside left edge of the area. Her cross found Zoe Tweats at the back post but she could not direct her shot goalwards, under pressure from the goalkeeper.

CHS finally broke the deadlock on fourteen minutes and deservedly so. Poppy Jones’ powerful shot from eight yards found the net and left Eaton Bank’s goalkeeper rooted to the spot. 1-0 CHS.

It took Congleton just three minutes to double their lead. Beth Jones picked the ball up on the left flank. She brilliantly went past Eaton Bank’s right-back on the left touchline. She then crossed the ball into the box and the ball fell to Zoe Tweats at the far post, who from an acute angle poked the ball into the net. 2-0 CHS.

CHS extended their lead four minutes after, Zoe Tweats played a ball into the Eaton Bank area from the right. Hollie Massey was waiting in the middle. She took a touch before firing the ball into the goal from ten yards out. 3-0 CHS.

Half-time- Congleton 3-0 Eaton Bank

It was a dominant first half performance from CHS, which saw Eaton Bank not having a single shot and Congleton’s defence spent most of the half on the halfway line.

Chloe Tatton donned the gloves in the second half for CHS, replacing Amy Rodgers in between the posts and Frankie Bibby replaced Hollie Massey also at half-time.

Congleton had their first chance in the second half after two minutes. Emma Nisbet picked the ball up just inside Eaton Bank’s half, she then ran towards the defence before taking on a defender. Her shot from outside the area was off-target.

Four minutes later, Nisbet caused Eaton Bank’s defence further problems. She again ran through the defence, her shot from inside the area was on-target but the goalkeeper blocked it.

Zoe Tweat’s effort from just outside the area went just over the crossbar, two minutes later, after some good play by CHS.

On 41 minutes, a good ball from Lucy Wright, from the right. A CHS player miss kicked the ball before another CHS player’s follow-up went wide.

It took Eaton Bank 45 minutes for them to record their first shot on target. However, Chloe Tatton pulled off a good save from a shot from just outside the area.

Amy Rodgers, who played in goal for Congleton in the first half, made an instant impact when she came onto the field in the 48th minute. A minute after coming on she added CHS’ fourth goal. A poor goal-kick fell to Rodgers in the hole between the midfield and defence, she saw the goalkeeper was off her line and coolly put the ball into the back of the net from 25 yards out.

Two minutes later, Rebecca Barlow extended CHS’ lead. Another poor goal kick from Eaton Bank, was picked up by Barlow. She cut inside on the left before finding the net from an acute angle. 5-0 CHS.

It only took another two minutes for Amy Rodgers to add her second goal of the game and CHS’ sixth. She clinically slotted home after running through on goal.

Rodgers then sealed her hat-trick with three minutes left. It all came about after brilliant work from Hollie Massey. She won the ball following a battle with two Eaton Bank players, fifteen yards inside her own half. She then turned around one of the Eaton Bank player’s before flicking it over the head of the other. She then ran with the ball down the right wing into Eaton Bank’s half before cutting inside. She turned around another player before laying off the ball. Amy Rodgers picked the ball up on the left, drove towards the goal before slotting it home from an acute angle for her hat-trick.

Full-time- Congleton 7-0 Eaton Bank

Despite scoring three goals in the first half, their manager Mr Naylor was not happy with the girls’ first half performance “we were poor in the first half, we did not get going in the first half at all. Against stronger teams we need to get out of the blocks better. But, it was much better in the second half.”

The girls are also through to the last-32 of the Premier League under-16 School’s Cup and face a home tie against Helsby High School in round five.

Written by Adam Bailey

YEAR 7 v SANDBACH (ESFA CUP)- 11th November

Year 7 suffer first defeat

Year 7 were knocked out of the under-12 Playstation 9-a-side schools’ cup tonight (Tuesday 11^th November) against an impressive Sandbach side.

Congleton rarely got out of their half in the first half and they didn’t really threaten the Sandbach goalkeeper except for two successive corners in the fifth minute of the match.

It was Sandbach who had the first chance of the match but they saw their striker’s curling shot, from the edge of the area, go over the crossbar. CHS’ goalkeeper Jacob Heard had to be alert to deny Sandbach from taking the lead minutes later, blocking a shot from close range with his foot.

It took Sandbach ten minutes to break the deadlock, when they were awarded a free-kick, on the right edge of the Congleton area, following a handball. Jacob Heard could not prevent the free-kick from opening the scoring, despite getting his fingertips too it.

Sandbach doubled their lead just three minutes later. A run from Sandbach’s striker saw him through the CHS defence and he was now bearing down on the CHS goal. Goalkeeper Heard made himself big, but the striker powered the ball home to Heard’s left. 2-0 Sandbach.

Half-time- Congleton 0-2 Sandbach

CHS started the second half much better and were in fact the brighter team in the opening exchanges.

CHS’ winger picked the ball up on the right, drove into the box and perhaps should have had a go at goal himself but instead his cross was too high for the CHS players waiting in the area.

Sandbach had to wait until ten minutes into the second half to have their first real chance of the half and it came out of nothing. Sandbach’s midfielder picked up the ball outside of the box before seeing his effort strike the inside of the post before being cleared by the CHS defence.

Moments later, Sandbach extended their lead. Another run from Sandbach’s striker saw him through on goal. He fired a shot from the left of the area across the CHS goalkeeper and into the right side of the net. 3-0 Sandbach.

Mr Holmes, the CHS manager, encouraged his player’s saying that there were still fifteen minutes left for Congleton to get back into the game. However, their task to get back into the game got even greater, two minutes later, when Sandbach added their fourth goal.

Sandbach’s player rising half-volley, from the edge of the area, was just beyond the reach of goalkeeper, Jacob Heard, who had to pick the ball out of the back of the net for the fourth time in the match.

The fourth goal seemed to take the sting out of CHS but they still kept on fighting and they came close to having the ball in the back of the net on seventeen minutes. Mikey Lennon found space in Sandbach’s half; he advanced with the ball before playing a great through ball to Matthew Owen on the left side of the area. Owen took a touch before shooting. His shot struck the inside of the far post before a defender cleared the danger.
Sandbach raced down the other end and their winger slotted the ball past the on-rushing CHS goalkeeper to make it Congleton 0, Sandbach 5.

Jacob Heard was then forced into making two good saves including one from a shot from distance, which he did well to stop. However, he was unable to stop Sandbach extending their lead further despite getting his hands to a long range shot he could not prevent the ball from finding the goal.

Sandbach had enough time to add a seventh goal and it was a great all round goal. Their defence broke up a CHS attack before playing the ball to their left-back, who passed the ball to Sandbach’s winger. He then raced down the right flank before playing the ball inside, the Sandbach player crossed the ball to the back post, where the waiting striker fired the ball into the roof of the net.

Full-time- Congleton 0-7 Sandbach

The result was year 7’s first defeat since joining Congleton High School, despite the scoreline you cannot fault the work ethic of CHS as they kept on fighting until the end. However, Sandbach were the stronger team and had too much for Congleton.

Mr Holmes said after the match that Sandbach definitely deserved to win as they were the “much stronger side, with many talented players” but he says that it bodes well for the future with this only Congleton’s first defeat in six games.

The under-16 girls remain Congleton’s only hope now on the national stage and they will face either Helsby High School or Ellesmore Port Catholic High School at home in the last-32. However, before that they face Eaton Bank at home this Friday in the Cheshire Cup.

Written by Adam Bailey

UNDER 16 GIRLS v ANTHONY GELL SCHOOL- 5th November

Under-16 Girls Stroll into the Next Round

This week saw the combined year 10 and 11 girls’ football team reach the last 32 of the Premier League under-16 schools’ cup with ease after an emphatic 6-0 victory against Anthony Gell School from Amber Valley.

Two goals from Rebecca Barlow and goals from Poppy Jones, Hollie Massey and Beth Jones saw CHS in total control of the match at half-time and it would have taken a major comeback for Anthony Gell to deny CHS reaching the last 32 for the second successive year.

CHS could only add a single goal, to their five, in the second half, with Hollie Massey adding to her first half strike.

It was a fantastic team performance and the result saw CHS record their first clean sheet of the competition and took their goals scored to seventeen. CHS will have to wait to discover who they will face in the next round.

The year 7 boys are the only other CHS team to have reached round three and they face a difficult home tie against Sandbach School next Tuesday- Sandbach have scored 23 goals in just two games so far, conceding just two.

The girls are also back in action next Friday, with another big game, when they entertain Eaton Bank in the Cheshire Cup. It would be great to get a decent crowd to cheer the girls on.

Written by Adam Bailey

HALF-TERM REVIEW- September-October

Half-Term Ends With Even More Success

It has been yet another successful week for Congleton High School’s sports teams to conclude what has been a great start to the academic year.

CHS’ netballers continued to impress, following five wins out of six last week across all years, the under-18 girl’s were crowned South Cheshire Champions on Tuesday.  

South Cheshire Netball Champions
Phoebe Plant, Charlotte Ingle, Nina Bennett, Ella Baskerville, Hannah Tatton, Lucy Vaughton,
Emma Ingle, Whitney Plant and Sophie Mullins.

The girls were deserved winners having played to an exceptionally high standard through the tournament, winning all of their games. During the tournament, other schools commented on how well they played, showing excellent skill and team spirit. CHS PE teacher, Mrs Henderson said, “The girls have put in a lot of hard work over the months and have been totally committed to training and, because of this they really have been able to reap the rewards. We are so proud of them and their success”.

It has also been a good start to the year in football too. Not only have year 7 won their respective league they have also made it through to round three of the ESFA boy’s cup. The under-16 girls’ team have also endured a cup run this half-term, with them reaching round four of the ESFA school’s cup also. There have also been stand-out results across every year.

Perhaps the highlight of the half-term has been the school’s first ever rugby tour. Over 40 students travelled to France, where they took part in training sessions as well as matches. The tour was a total success with the students building on their love for the sport and hopefully will inspire more people to get their boots and gum shield.

The combined year 9 and 10 boys rugby team finished the memorable half-term off with a convincing 30-0 victory over All Hallows' this week.

I am sure this half-term will set the tone for the rest of the year with success coming in every sport. The one thing that has really impressed be over recent weeks is the high turnout for extra-curricular activities.  

Written by Adam Bailey

INTERVIEW- ANN BRIGHTWELL: 50 YEARS ON

ANN BRIGHTWELL: 50 YEARS ON

20^th October 1964 Ann Packer became the first British woman to win an Olympic Games gold medal on the track.

Today it s fifty years to the day since Ann’s landmark moment in Tokyo and I was lucky enough to interview her earlier this month about where her passion for athletics started to the despair and jubilation of the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo to retiring straight after the Tokyo Games. She also explains the work she has done in recent years inspiring people to get ‘active’ in the local area.

If you have not seen the 800m final, which saw her win gold, then it is well worth a watch. Ann was sixth at 400m, third at 600m and then finally took the lead in the home straight.

What makes it even more astonishing is the 800m final was her sixth race in as many days with her also competing in the 400m in the same Olympics. The 400m was her favoured event but she finished second, despite breaking the British and European record in the final. Ann could have so easily given up after the “depths of despair” of finishing second in the 400m but she didn’t. If she had done that, then she would not be sitting talking to me with a gold medal around her neck.

Sport in 1964 was completely different than nowadays. Perhaps the biggest difference is that athletes were amateurs. Robbie and Ann both had day jobs. Ann was a PE teacher and Robbie was a maths, geography and PE teacher. They both got up early to train before teaching, they then gave up their lunch time to train and after school they also trained. They did all this but got no income from their athletics career.

Robbie was more interested in football than athletics when he was younger however after being injured he focused on athletics, having impressed in competitions. Like Robbie, Ann tried different sports as a child, she was a keen hockey, tennis, netball player but she took athletics more seriously because she was good at it. She said she took it a “step at a time” and received lots of support and then aspired to win a gold medal and compete at an Olympic Games.

Ann hadn’t even considered the 800m before somebody suggested it to her prior to the 1964 Olympic Games as she thought she could make it as a sprinter. However, she said she wasn’t good enough to make an Olympic final as a sprinter. Therefore, she says that whilst you are young keep an open mind when competing in sport and try as many sports as possible. Chances are doing different sports will improve your ability at a specific sport as Ann’s sprinting training was perhaps the main reason why she won gold in the 800m as well as her determination.

When she met Robbie she realised that she was not doing enough to push herself, something she says is very important to becoming a successful athlete.

Ann thinks that the talent in athletics in Britain “is there” and that it is “coming back” and that Britain are actually on the “brink” of a “golden age” of athletes. Could you be part of this golden age?

Ann believes that in order to make a success of whatever you choose to aim for in your life you have to be “brave” and “resilient” and “just persevere” because for much of the time things do not go your way. “If you get beaten in sport you have to be able to pick yourself up again and start again. And when something knocks you back you just have to “keep on going” and not give up.

Over recent years the pair have encouraged more people to be “active” after they released some alarming statistics earlier this year, saying that 12,000 people in Congleton alone could be obese. The problem is not only on a local scale though it is on a national and international level, something which Robbie says will have “huge implications” on us [the young people of Britain] in the future. Robbie describes it as the “biggest public health crisis the nation has every faced.” He goes onto say that people are extremely worried about the latest Ebola outbreak but in fact ten times as many people in Britain alone die because of obesity in 12 months and another 30,000 have died because of a lack of fitness. Because of this he says that it will bring the National Health Service [NHS] “to its knees”, so much so that by 2030 there may not even be an NHS. £16 billion a year is spent by the NHS just on solving the problem of obesity and lack of fitness. The only way Robbie says it can be tackled is by tackling the causes- lack of exercise.

ANN’S GOLDEN TIPS

• Set your sight.
• You need to be brave enough to overcome obstacles, staying “brave and resilient.”
• You need to exploit your ability.
• And you have to accept the setbacks and most importantly NEVER GIVE UP.

You can hear my full exclusive interview with Ann and Robbie here.

Written by Adam Bailey

WEEKLY ROUND-UP 13TH-17TH OCTOBER

News in Brief- Mon 13^th October to Fri 17^th October

Last week was a busy and successful five days for Congleton High School’s PE department.

CHS' Year 7 Football Team crowned South Cheshire Champions

In football, year 7 boys’ 3-2 victory against Holmes Chapel saw CHS crowned South Cheshire League title winners. Their focus is now on the ESFA boy’s under-12 Playstation schools cup with them at home to Sandbach in round three.

The under-16 girl’s team are also flying the CHS flag in the national competition. They are through to the last 64 in the country after a hard-fought 4-3 win away at Astley Sport College last week, thanks to a Lucy Wright hat-trick and a goal from Poppy Jones. The girls now face a home tie against Anthony Gell School from Amber Valley in round four.

CHS offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities including netball and hockey. It was a great week for CHS’ netballers with them recording five wins out of possible six. There was further success in hockey on Thursday with CHS winning all but one of their games.

Let's hope for more of the same this week.

Written by Adam Bailey

RUGBY TOUR 2014 INTERVIEWS

To hear Mr French, Mr de Souza and Mr Cross discuss the recent rugby tour to France click here.

RUGBY TOUR TO FRANCE- September

Inaugural Rugby Tour a Big Hit

Last week saw over 40 students and staff travel to France for Congleton High School’s first ever rugby tour. Rugby has not been one of the priority sports at the school over the years. However, since Mr de Souza and Mr Cross arrived at the school they have worked tirelessly to push Rugby as one of the major school sports alongside football. The students have all loved the sport in the last couple of years and have won many games against local schools.

As a reward for the recent successes and number of students attending the extra-curricular Rugby club, Mr de Souza decided to organise the first Rugby tour. With long term plans to take the Rugby teams to the Southern Hemisphere the short term tour destination was chosen, France.
 

With 41 students on the tour, the students and staff set off on Thursday evening (after the Open Evening). The students had been learning French through the Memrise app and website which Mr Cross had organised, so they were ready and raring to put it into practice.
 

The coach journey was entertaining with all students singing traditional rugby songs along with more current chart songs. When the group finally arrived at CREPS sports complex they had a quick turnaround to eat lunch and drop off their bags before heading over to the fantastic French team Racing Metro 92 training ground. The students received a private training session from the Racing academy coaches. The coaches were very impressed with the handling skills of the CHS students.
 

After the training session the students received a once in a lifetime opportunity to view the training ground of a professional rugby club’s training ground. They got a tour of the site and saw the daily routines for International rugby stars like Jonny Sexton and Jamie Roberts. The facilities were second to none and the fitness room was as big as the school sports hall.
 

After the tour of the training ground the students headed back to their accommodation for dinner and team meeting.
 

The next day after a continental breakfast the students all turned up in their new training tops for a group run with the staff, the run included an army style sing-along. After the run, the students were split into four groups and received a well prepared and organised specific sessions from each teacher. The students trained extremely hard and were extremely vocal, with a new found confidence. The students then were split into forwards and backs, the forwards went over with Mr French and Mr Warren to work on hitting the breakdown, the teachers were very impressed with the intensity of the rucking. The backs went over with Mr de Souza and Mr Cross to work on set moves which looked fantastic with all students having a specific role.

After lunch the squad headed East of Paris to their first fixture against club side Noisy Le Sec. With the younger squad up first the older group watched from the sideline. The group looked surprisingly unorganised during the warm up but after some strong words from the teachers they got their heads focussed on the game. The game was end to end with the home side going ahead scoring two tries in the first half. The teachers all gave a team talk to try to inspire the group, this worked with George Johnson scoring two tries and converting both as well. The game could have gone either way but unfortunately for CHS the home side managed to score the winning try 5 minutes before the end. Up next was the older team. The first 5 minutes were ferocious with both teams making some fantastic tackles. Unfortunately an injury to Sam Cosgrove, who was playing at fly half, interrupted CHS’s attacking and defensive play. The club opposition in the end proved too strong for the CHS school team and went on to win scoring five tries. One student, Will ‘Boots’ Cooper came off the pitch saying ‘It was the hardest but best game he’d ever played in’. After the game both squads received refreshments from the home side and had a presentation from the President of Noisy Le Sec. Man of the match awards went to George Johnson and James Goodwin. Both captains, Harper Whitehead and Lewis Halliday also received caps from the home side. All students battled like warriors and all the teachers were immensely proud of their teams.

The next day the students had an early start to their second fixture against Soissy Rugby Club. Both teams would be playing at the same time so the teachers had to split off with two teams. The younger squad started extremely well causing the home team all sorts of defensive problems but couldn’t get the first try. Sadly the game had to be cancelled 18 minutes in as Congleton student Will Dinnis was caught unbalanced and an opposing player falling on top of him. This resulting in Will breaking his leg, paramedics were at the scene within 10 minutes and doctors from the local hospital also arriving. Both sets of players gave Will an emotional ‘guard of honour’ as he left for the hospital with Mr Warren where he needed surgery on his leg.
 

The older group performed superbly with Mr Cross very impressed with the breakdown work and strength in the tackles. Again they came up against a very strong club side and lost the fixture but they gave everything they had to make it hard for the opposition.

After the game the squad went on a trip around Paris where they got to buy souvenirs and have photos with the iconic French landmarks such as the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.

That evening the boys had an awards evening where they received prizes for their performances during the tour, with Brad Oliver deservedly scooping the most prestigious award of ‘Best Tourer’.

Overall the tour was a total success with the students building on their love of the fantastic sport, and with the Rugby World Cup in England next year the tour has just inspired more students at Congleton High School to get their boots and gum shield on to get involved in the sport.

Interviews to follow.

 

 

 

YEAR 7 v Ormiston (ESFA Cup)- 7th October

Year 7 Destroy Ormiston 14-1

Year 7 travelled to Ormiston Horizon Academy tonight (Tuesday 7^th October) in round two of the ESFA under 12 Playstation 9-a-side Schools’ Cup.

 

Team line up.                                                                              
Gk:Jacob
RB:ru   Cb:sam   Cb:Noah    Lb:zac
Rw:will   Cm:mikey   Cm:Owen     Lw:matt
              St:Tom       St:Brandon

Subs.
Kai
Kieran
Ben

It was a fast pace game from the minute the referee blew the whistle with Tom V scoring within two minutes of the kick-off. This was to be the benchmark of the game with CHS controlling the match, scoring goal after goal. Matt, Mikey, Brandon, Kieran, Kai and Owen all getting their names on the score sheet.

CHS’ goalkeeper, Jacob Herd made a great penalty save but was cheated of a clean sheet by an Ormiston goal. Zac, Noah, Sam and Ru were top class in defence while Will and Matt provided great pace and ball skill to feed to their team mates. It was an excellent result for CHS with the win making it three matches unbeaten for year 7 plus the added bonus of no cards given to any players.

The 14-1 victory books CHS’ place in the draw for round three.

 Written by Man of the Match Will Parrish.

YEAR 9, 10 AND 11 v SHAVINGTON- 2nd October

Year 11 See Off Shavington

Year 11 had high expectations going into their home match against Shavington tonight, with CHS winning both home fixtures comfortably last season. CHS scored six goals in each of the meetings last season, winning 6-0 and 6-2. CHS were hoping for a similar score line today but manager Mr Donnelly wanted to see a better first half than in the first meeting between the pair last season, when his team were trailing 2-1 at half-time. Mr Donnelly would have been pleased with CHS’ first half performance this time with CHS leading 4-0 at half-time.

It was a much better start by CHS with them controlling the match from the kick-off and they found themselves 3-0 up inside 10 minutes.

Reece Carbutt opened the scoring after five minutes directly from the first corner of the match with his set-piece curling over the goalkeeper into the net.

Less than a minute later, CHS doubled their lead. Morgan Bratt beat the offside trap getting in behind the defence to the left of centre before calmly placing the ball across the goalkeeper and into the bottom right corner.

Two minutes later it was 3-0. Reece Carbutt added his second of the match with a superb solo goal. He picked the ball up just outside the area on the right before driving into the box.  He then, from an acute angle, volleyed the ball into the roof of the net, the goalkeeper had no chance.

CHS had to wait until two minutes before half-time to add their fourth goal. A CHS throw-in midway into Shavington’s half was flicked on by a CHS player to Morgan Bratt. Bratt received the ball on the edge of the area before turning and half-volleying the ball towards the goal. Shavington’s goalkeeper got down low on his goal line but his hands could not prevent Bratt’s shot from finding the net.

Congleton had been clinical in front of goal with them scoring with all of their shots on target in the first-half.

Half-time- Congleton 4-0 Shavington

There was no need for Mr Donnelly to change things this time around at half-time with his side four goals to the good. Shavington didn’t have a shot on target in the first half.  

Year 11 form tutor and Kidsgrove Athletic fan, Mr Hickton took over the helm at the beginning of the second-half from Mr Donnelly. Mr Hickton brought a new way of managing to the touchline with a cup of tea in hand- I can see Premier League managers following the trend set by Mr Hickton in the future! He was ably assisted by year 11 Guidance team leader, Mrs Airey.

CHS had a big chance to make it 5-0, four minutes into the second-half, when a long ball was played forward into the Shavington box. Shavington’s goalkeeper came to get the ball in his area but the ball bounced over his head. A CHS player judged the ball’s bounce and headed the ball goal wards. It looked like it was going to be CHS’ fifth goal however luckily for Shavington a defender came across to clear the ball from on the goal line. The goalkeeper recovered in time to claim the ball from the clearance.

Mr Hickton decided to “swap” (as he put it) some players midway through the second-half.  Not long after, Reece Carbutt, looking to complete his hat-trick, saw his powerful, driven shot saved low by the goalkeeper.

Shavington started to come into the game and a few minutes after Carbutt’s strike their striker’s shot from the left side of the area went a few yards wide of the far post.

It wasn’t long before Shavington pulled a goal back when they broke clear of CHS’ defence. CHS goalkeeper, Jake Duckworth, who hadn’t had to do much in the match, came off his goal line but the Shavington player slid the ball beyond Duckworth and into the bottom far corner.

Shavington continued to apply the pressure and a second goal quickly followed. Shavington’s striker battled Jack Appleton for the ball; the striker turned the CHS defender before putting the ball across Jake Duckworth and into the bottom right corner.

CHS continued to look for a fifth goal but Congleton’s player's powerful shot was turned around the post by Shavington’s goalkeeper with one minute left

Full-time- Congleton 4-2 Shavington

Mr Hickton regularly watches Port Vale when he cannot watch Kidsgrove and when asked if he would be applying for the Port Vale job he replied “I have turned it down for now as I want to concentrate on getting year 11 excellent results in their exams.” However, you can never rule anything out in football so watch this space!

A much depleted year 10 side were also in action against Shavington tonight unfortunately they lost 2-1 despite Ramtin Musah equalising after using his strength to break through on goal before placing his shot in the  bottom corner.

Written by Adam Bailey

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