SUPERB FINAL SEES CONGLETON VR VICTORIOUS

ALSAGER TOWN 1 CONGLETON VALE ROVERS 3
CREWE AND DISTRICT FA CHALLENGE CUP FINAL @ CUMBERLAND ARENA
5 MAY 2018 --- 2PM

CONGLETON VR CAPTAIN CHRIS LAWTON WITH RICHIE BOOTH AND THE CREWE FA CHALLENGE CUP

It was Congleton Vale Rovers who came out on top in the clash of the two neighbouring county leagues of Cheshire and Staffordshire, with the formers side leading 3-0 at half time Alsager threw everything bar the kitchen sink at them in the second half but to little avail.  With Congleton reduced to ten men for the last 25 minutes Alsager could not break the Cheshire side down and even missed a penalty although they did finally pull a goal back 3 minutes from time.
As the season goes headlong into finals and titles this fixture was spotted as a potential and after a little studying it was a unanimous decision to watch this intriguing fixture that would pit two counties together with both sides in mid table positions in their league there would be all to play for if silverware was to be gained.

CREWE BUS STATION A WARM WELCOME TO ALL

A mid morning departure from base station saw a brief look at a transport extravaganza on the platforms at Stockport station before boarding the Carmarthen bound train as far as Crewe.  On cue outside the station a D and G bus service had just pulled in and it was hopped on for the 3/4 of a mile trip to the town centre which is a little walk from the station.
There was good, bad and ugly about today lets get the latter two out of the way first.  The railway town has been visited on a few occasions for changes at the station but the town only once before and I don't like to criticise on this blog as readers know but oh dear what is going on in Crewe its on a par with Scunthorpe.  I'm told parts of it are under planned renovation it probably needs to be all of it.  The bus station was the first sight of the town and although in corporate aquamarine further inspection shows grass and weeds strewn with the usual rubbish and the bright colour is actually on boarding that shows most of the station secured off.  All change for Crewe is the signage that greets you and I dare say it should probably read 're board to get away fast', anyway a brief walk around the town found me despairing and to top it all off the local farmer had decided to spray his fields with manure which was wafting over the town centre just adding to the whole ambiance about the place.

AN OVERVIEW OF CUMBERLAND ARENA WITH CREWE CLOCK TOWER IN THE BACKGROUND

Quickly moving out of the town and thankfully the Cumberland Arena for 'the good', the home of Crewe Fc of the Cheshire League, is a very short walk away and a massively pleasant uplifting place which lifted my mood after the previous 30 minutes.  It is of course a bright sunny afternoon but the whole feel of the arena was just right its £2.50 to get in plus a four page programme with some basic details included.  The ground is in the middle of a running track but its not like most others you are allowed to stand track side up by the pitch, where it is roped off, saving the horrible distant feel from the game.  While in conversation with a neighbour of the ground he told me American Football was played there previously but now its Crewe Fc and Crewe Alex Ladies Fc as well as the athletics, there is also a new 3g pitch for community use.

PREDICTABLE BUT I COULDNT RESIST

With a smart pavilion offering an inside viewing area and a selection of beverage and confectionery machines we are all set up for the afternoon!  Thanks to both sides for their help in obtaining the teams and for the greeting from todays match referee Jordan Brooks the Sandbach official had an excellent performance in a highly competitive game.

REFEREE BROOKS IN CONTROL

Onto the action and what a first half for Congleton the Booth St based side took the lead after just 9 minutes when Richie Booth sent away Brian Barton who lofted the ball over the keeper into the Alsager goal.  It was 2-0 just after the quarter of an hour mark when a misjudged pass from Alsager keeper Joseph Mellor fell to Aaron Cooke who hit a superb 30 yard finish straight back into the unlucky keepers goal.

1-0

Congleton were dominant and that was proved non more so two minutes before half time when they increased their lead Ryan Read cut into the edge of the box fired in a low shot that went under the body of Mellor and what looked an unassailable lead took the Cheshire side into the half time break three goals to the good.

CONGLETON FREE KICK AGAINST THE WALL

The second half would have to see Alsager turn in the performance of the season to get back into this game, after a half time chat they came out fired up and wave after wave of attack was thwarted by the Vale defence who were working as hard as I've seen any step 7 side this season.

THE BATTLE CONTINUES

Twenty minutes in and a life line referee Brooks awarded Alsager a penalty for a pull in the box but before it could be taken a melee had broken out and the resulting outcome was a straight red card for Read [8] and Congleton would be reduced to ten men.  The delay couldn't have helped Scott Edwards who seemed to strike his penalty reasonably well but Vale keeper Cameron Phelps who guessed right and stretched to push the ball away.  You now felt a golden opportunity had been missed and it was left to Will Slater to have a long range shot which fell just wide.

EYES ON THE BALL AS ALSAGER PRESS

Much as its a compliment to Congleton that their undoubtable work rate now with ten men was keeping the opposition out, Alsager in turn were putting in a tremendous effort to break down the door.  Finally they got a more than deserved goal with three minutes of normal time remaining and what a screamer Tom Kirkham unleashing an unstoppable effort from 25 yards out into the roof of the net.  As the Staffordshire side looked to narrow the margin even more Daniel Beigus somehow had his close range effort blocked by Phelps.  So it wasn't to be for Alsager and moments later the Challenge Cup was lifted by Congleton Vale Rovers captain Chris Lawton who had seen his side over the line in what had been once again a tremendous advert for step 7 football.

A GOOD OLD AERIAL CHALLENGE TO FINISH

A sharp walk back via some well signed short cuts to the station saw the noise from Gresty Rd were the 'Alex' were entertaining Cheltenham grab my attention but there was one thing for sure they would not have been any better entertained than the 50 or so who had witnessed todays final at The Cumberland Arena.