In an exhilarating match at the Cleric Stadium under a beautiful night sky, Congleton Town clashed with Uttoxeter Town in a Midland Football League Premier encounter. The Bears got off to a flying start, asserting their dominance from the very beginning. In the opening minute, Dan Needham’s corner caused a stir, setting the tone for the thrilling encounter. The dynamic duo of Marco Fregapane and Dan Needham orchestrated another corner just three minutes later, demonstrating their formidable partnership.
The action continued to unfold rapidly, with the Bears creating opportunities in quick succession. In the 5th minute, a low sun provided a challenge for both teams, causing Needham’s shot to narrowly miss its target. The teamwork of Ethan Hartshorn added to the excitement, showcasing some impressive plays. Referee decisions played a role too, as a drop ball saw Carl Dickinson emerge victorious in the 6th minute.
Congleton Town’s pressure persisted, and in the 9th minute, a tantalizing cross from Peter Williams struck a defender, resulting in a corner. As the clock ticked on, Fregapane’s precision in the 12th minute nearly yielded a goal, only for the shot to graze wide. The breakthrough came in the 18th minute when Ethan Hartshorn unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the box, shaking the net and putting the Bears ahead 1-0.
The high-intensity start reflected the Bears’ determination to bounce back from their recent loss. In the 29th minute, a substitution saw George Sankey replace Dan Cocks, injecting fresh energy into the lineup. However, frustrations emerged as Fregapane received a yellow card for kicking the ball away after a strong challenge on Williams went unanswered.
The Bears persevered, earning a free kick in the 33rd minute after Cameron Bradbury-Allen was forcefully handled on the ball. The 36th minute witnessed a moment of agony as Hartshorn’s powerful shot rebounded off the crossbar, denying him a second goal. Pressure mounted as consecutive corners followed, showcasing Congleton’s determination.
Just before the halftime whistle, Carl Dickinson etched his name into the scoresheet, heading in a perfectly placed cross from Buckley. With a 2-0 lead, the Bears headed into the break with momentum on their side.
The second half kicked off in a similar fashion, with Needham winning an early corner in the 46th minute. Sankey’s dynamic presence drew a foul just outside the box in the 50th minute, leading to a free kick taken by Peter Williams. Hartshorn continued to create opportunities, testing the Uttoxeter goalkeeper with a well-crafted shot in the 52nd minute.
The Bears’ attacking prowess was on full display as they kept the pressure up. An unfortunate offside call nullified a goal in the 60th minute, followed by a penalty opportunity in the 62nd minute. Hartshorn was brought down during his shot, leading to a calm and collected conversion from the spot by Darren Chadwick.
A strategic substitution in the 65th minute saw Chadwick make way for Sol Ashworth. The momentum remained firmly with Congleton Town, further bolstered when Uttoxeter’s Harry Clarke was sin-binned by the referee in the 70th minute.
The closing minutes continued to showcase the Bears’ offensive flair, with Needham’s deflected shot earning them another corner in the 75th minute. Substitutions added fresh legs to the lineup, with Arron Johns making way for Leigh Skellern in the 82nd minute.
A scintillating run from Buckley drew a foul just outside the box in the 83rd minute. As the match drew to a close, Needham added an exclamation point, finding the net once again in the 88th minute.
With a commanding 4-0 victory and a clean sheet, Congleton Town emerged triumphant, leaving the Cleric Stadium buzzing with the excitement of a remarkable performance.
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