21 March 2014

Midweek saw Grappenhall Sports travel to Congleton Vale with the home side finishing 2-0 winners. Grappenhall got off to the worst start possible when a long kick out down the slope was not dealt with and Dan Beuhler striker had the easiest opportunity to latch on to the long ball to round the keeper and slot home with 4 minutes on the clock.

That long ball continued to cause problems for Grappenhall but as the game developed they played themselves back in to the game by playing some good football in small patches. A good move led to a corner that Adam Green climbed brilliantly to only to hit the woodwork and Tom Swann couldn't make the most of the rebound.

Still the long ball caused problems and another defensive error allowed Congleton to get behind the Grappenhall back line and Buehler made it 2-0 on the half hour.

Grappenhall tried to get back in to the game second half but a well drilled Congleton were proving a tough nut to crack. Grappenhall did create more chances with substitute Josh Dagley coming close with a neat header and Ryan Crawford was unlucky not to get the bounce of the ball a couple of times in the Congleton box but a breakthrough couldn't be found and Congleton saw the game out to win 2-0.

As Poynton v Daten was called off minutes before kick off due to a heavy downpour making the pitch unplayable it gave Malpas the chance to go three points clear at the top as they beat Sale Town 4-0 at home. Playing down hill Malpas got off to the best possible start when a corner from Danny Lloyd found the head of captain Steve Watkins whose header was stopped on the line only for Lee Parry to follow up and score from close in on 7 minutes. This settled Malpas and they looked to move the ball around on the floor, keeping the pressure on the Sale outfit. Sale did work hard and started to get into the game as Malpas pushed forward, against the run of play a good move down the left by Richard Sadler saw the ball played through for Lee Parry who made no mistake beating one defender and slotting the ball home as the keeper closed him down for a good finish after 33 minutes.

Malpas looked to get the second half off to a good start when Lloyd found Alex Hughes down the right who held the ball before cutting in and hitting a low drive which the keeper saved well low down only for the in form Lee Parry on hand to tap home for another hat -trick after 46 minutes.
Mike Gibbs and Richards Sadler continued to cause problems getting forward from the full back positions which created space in forward areas and it was a good move down the right when Gibbs put in a cross picking out Lee Parry at the near post to power home a header, giving the keeper no chance for the pick of his four goal's on 80 minutes to finish the scoring for the day.

Lostock Gralam finished 2-1 winners away at Tarporley Victoria, while goals from Josh Perry and Nathan Lang earned Barnton Wanderers a 2-2 draw at home against Golborne Sports.

Congleton Vale built on their mid week victory with a 3-1 win at home against Warrington Town Reserves. Karl McCurrie opened the scoring in the 16th minute which was followed up ten minutes later with a goal from Dan Buehler. Buckley added a third in the 29th minute. Warrington's goal was scored by captain Sam Houghton.

Sandbach started brightly as they travelled to Grappenhall Sports and appeared sharper in the early stages without creating any clear cut chances. Grappenhall's shape remained tight and their ball retention was rewarded when some good possession led to Josh Dagley clipping the ball to Ryan Crawford who flicked it on to the in form Dan Sisson to turn quickly and shoot low past the keeper for 1-0.

The goal gave Grappenhall confidence and within minutes it was 2-0 when a tremendous counter attack was completed when Tom Swann slipped James Derbyshire in behind the Sandbach back line for him to chip the on rushing keeper with a touch of class.

Grappenhall had control and Sandbach were struggling to make opportunities but on 35 mins a defensive error allowed Mike Blundell to knock the ball past Gareth Powell from 10 yards for 2-1. Soon after Blundell latched on to a long ball to hit the post before a sensational move from a quick free kick led to the Sandbach keeper making a brilliant low stop from Adam Green.

The home side came out strongly after the break and their players were controlling the tempo of the game. On 60 minutes another good bit of possession led to Josh Dagley putting in a peach of a cross for the oncoming Ryan Crawford to volley home magnificently from the edge of the box. Great chances came and went to finish the game off particularly for Sisson and Derbyshire who both worked the keeper when one on one. Those missed chances led to a nervy close to the game as a Sandbach corner was headed home by Mark Adamczyk with 5 mins to go.