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