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