Ironic ain’t it that suddenly the website’s speed has improved when I’ve got a bad report to post, once I got my head together.
MID-CHESHIRE DFA SENIOR CUP FNAL
WITTON ALBION 0 CONGLETON TOWN 3 att 300
ALBION: Kennedy; Hockenhull, Pritchard, Barras, Brownhill; Peers, Brown, Clegg, Connors; Moseley, Frost (Proffitt H/T). Subs n/u Lloyd & Kearney
TOWN: Forrester; Baker, Glover, Alston B., Alston A; Jones, Johnson, Bailey, Williams (Petrie 90); Hurst (McAllister 90), Courtney (Smith 76).
On reflection, how reminiscent was this final to Albion?s Cheshire Senior Cup triumph over Stalybridge last season? Rick Bailey and Andy Hurst, released by us, starred again for the underdogs and must both be really chuffed to death. Just like that previous final only one team looked like they really wanted to win. The Bears truly lived up to their nickname and constantly worried and harassed their prey.
All though could have been so very different when in the 7th minute Mark Peers produced a scintillating turn of speed when he burst through, his shot beating the keeper must missing the post by a whisker. Two minutes later Albion were trailing, from a free-kick awarded 25 yards out Jordan Johnson struck a rasper of a shot that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar. Town defended in numbers to protect their slim advantage but skipper Andy Alston knew very little when following yet more magic from Peers, Alex Brown?s driven shot flew off the defender for a corner on the half-hour mark.
The final few minutes of the half saw Albion produce a flurry of attacks, the first of which saw the ball just not come down quick enough for Peers from Mike Moseley?s by-line cross. A Liam Brownhill cross from the opposite flank then had the keeper saving from Peers although in truth the shot was hit pretty weakly. However from the resultant corner kick, aimed deep outside the far post, Carl Frost delivered a perfectly flighted ball onto Brian Pritchard?s head but unlike Saturday the keeper was able to block. Despite all this it was a quick break by Town that needed a good piece of recovery work by Darren Hockenhull to stop Hurst?s superb lob over Jon Kennedy from entering the net.
Moseley was guilty of failing to head home following a great cross from Peers in the 57th minute, somehow his attempt went sideways and just struck the unsuspecting Brownhill a few feet from goal. Steve Connors two minutes later saw his shot blocked on the line by Tommy Baker. Albion were then awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area with Johnson booked, Peers succeeding in curling the ball around the less than 10 yards away defensive wall but could only find the side netting. Peers and Hockenhull combined well and from the defender?s cross Ross Clegg could only aim his headed attempt straight at the keeper. The midfielder then got himself booked when taking out the very impressive and ex Albion winger Scott Williams.
On 77 minutes Moseley timed his run perfectly but his shot again saw the keeper blocking with his knee and Dorryl Proffitt following up also saw his attempt blocked as Town defended heroically. Albion?s final chance to equalise came from a Peers free-kick in the 83rd minute but Connors?s header ended well over the target. A minute later it was match over, Williams took full advantage of Albion pushing upfield, he left Hockenhull for dead before crossing to substitute Chris Smith who was able to score with ease.
Albion attempted to rescue something out of the match and Proffitt really should have finished better when having worked himself into a good position he only succeeded in sending his shot across the face of goal and out at the far post. Events appeared to be too much for Connors, wearing the captain?s armband, as once again he collected a yellow card from a needless scuffle although Andy Alston was extremely fortunate that referee Billy Smallwood didn?t show him a 2nd yellow to go with the one he?d already picked up.
Town sent on their other two substitutes as the 90 minutes elapsed and it was to be John McAllister taking full advantage of an Albion defence, uncharacteristically pulled all over the place, to finally seal the result. Taking his shirt off to celebrate with Town?s excellent supporters he received the customary caution before collecting his winner?s medal.
