FA Vase 2nd Round - Congleton Town 0 Whitley Bay 1
Sun 23rd November 2014 | General | By Ian Templeman
Congleton knew their first match in this year's competition was always going to be a tough assignment, facing a club that had won the Vase three times in sucession between 2009 and 2011.
With Whitley Bay suffering injury and suspension to key players, the visitors' task looked a shade tougher when Kempster was injured in the warm up, and Laws injured after 17 minutes.
The Bears had to cope with suspension and eligibility issues too, but in the opening phase of the game looked to have the better of things. As might be expected from the away side, they were content for the game to drift and lack fluency so overall the 'keepers were surprisingly quiet for much of the time.
Bay got the winner on 30 minutes when a swift counter down the right worked the ball behind the defence, and a pass laid back to Watling gave him time to finish clinically from 8 yards.
Gladstone in the visitors' goal was then relieved to see a far post cross headed against the post, and the ball rebounded into the crowded goalmouth then back off a thigh that took the pace off the ball and allowed the 'keeper to grab it on the line.
The second half highlights were an astounding save by Bears' keeper Ellison, who had to adjust to push over a fierce volley that swung late in the air.
The Bears increased their effort and pressure, but the visitors' defence held firm, well marshalled by player manager Leon Ryan. He could not do anything about Hudson's free kick though, and the crossbar was Bay's saviour.
Try as they might, the Bears never really got to test Gladstone, and although they did have some decent build up play, they lacked the finishing to do their efforts justice, and Bay held on to progress into the next round.
Ken Mead
FA Vase 2nd Round - Congleton Town 0 Whitley Bay 1
Sun 23rd November 2014 | General
By Ian Templeman
Congleton knew their first match in this year's competition was always going to be a tough assignment, facing a club that had won the Vase three times in sucession between 2009 and 2011.
With Whitley Bay suffering injury and suspension to key players, the visitors' task looked a shade tougher when Kempster was injured in the warm up, and Laws injured after 17 minutes.
The Bears had to cope with suspension and eligibility issues too, but in the opening phase of the game looked to have the better of things. As might be expected from the away side, they were content for the game to drift and lack fluency so overall the 'keepers were surprisingly quiet for much of the time.
Bay got the winner on 30 minutes when a swift counter down the right worked the ball behind the defence, and a pass laid back to Watling gave him time to finish clinically from 8 yards.
Gladstone in the visitors' goal was then relieved to see a far post cross headed against the post, and the ball rebounded into the crowded goalmouth then back off a thigh that took the pace off the ball and allowed the 'keeper to grab it on the line.
The second half highlights were an astounding save by Bears' keeper Ellison, who had to adjust to push over a fierce volley that swung late in the air.
The Bears increased their effort and pressure, but the visitors' defence held firm, well marshalled by player manager Leon Ryan. He could not do anything about Hudson's free kick though, and the crossbar was Bay's saviour.
Try as they might, the Bears never really got to test Gladstone, and although they did have some decent build up play, they lacked the finishing to do their efforts justice, and Bay held on to progress into the next round.
Ken Mead
