18/04/18

Congleton 2-1 Whaley Bridge

Whaley lose out in 93^rd minute to a Carl McCurrie late winner on a very difficult bobbly surface.

This midweek fixture was well contested throughout; Whaley going up the slope in the first half defended well allowing Congleton only the occasional long-range effort until a cross found Aaron Cook who hit a low volley that ultimately managed to creep under Tattersall.

All in all a single goal deficit at half time and with the slope now in Whaley’s favour wasn’t thought to be unmanageable, however Whaley’s current inexplicable lack of assertiveness in the final third continues to manifest in multiple squandered opportunities.

Ultimately it was yet another spectacular left foot free kick from young Dan Gilbride, never afraid to have a go anywhere up to 40 yards from goal, which levelled the scores. With the visitors now looking for the winner Congleton broke and following several missed opportunities to clear the ball Read fashioned a cross that Tattersall couldn’t hold on to only to find Carl McCurrie again in the right place to nod in from two yards.

Mom B Sutton

21/04/18

Whaley bridge 1-0 Congleton

Only three days later Whaley entertained Congleton at home and again on a difficult bobbly pitch, typical at this time of year, that spoiled a game in which both teams contested the majority of the match in the middle third. With fixtures coming thick and fast Lee Morris made his first appearance of the season and in spells looked like the old Lee Morris with darting runs in behind Congleton’s defence. However that man Dan Gilbride was at it again to score the only goal to earn the home side a valuable 3 points to maintain second place in the league.

Of note, in both games the ever consistent Bill Sutton & Congleton’s Ryan Read were each awarded man of the match by the opposing managers In both fixtures.

Mom B Sutton again.

28/04/18

Whaley 0-4 Eagle Sports

Anybody looking at that score line would think Whaley had been battered but how Whaley didn’t have the game wrapped up by half time is a complete mystery to all.

Whaley gave 16 year old Jacob O’Donnell his first full Cheshire Premier league debut and he along with ‘all’ his team mates impressed as Whaley completely dominated the early stages by outplaying the visitors and creating a plethora of chances the best of which fell to George and Joe Burgess who both unfortunately missed great opportunities from close range headers. Sutton too had a header saved at the back post and Streets starting in midfield today had a volley go just wide and a shot saved by Callon.

The lack of confidence in front of goal this season is plain to see, the only consolation being that Whaley continue to create chances each and every week against all-comers. There was lots of good play from the home side in this first half, probably the best we’ve seen for a while, with G Burgess and O’Donnell linking up well.; Barlow & Streets driving on from midfield leaving little for Newton & Sutton to do at the back.

How Whaley weren’t three nil up by half time nobody knows but then what seems to be the inevitable happened when one team is so dominant but fails to score, the opposition break out and snatch a goal. A poor off-side decision by the linesman, everyone including neutrals said Purcell was off side, afforded Eagle a cross which was slotted in on the 45^th minute……. one chance one goal; that’s football!

Whaley can have no complaints about the second half, the fact is that they were behind after a very good first half and then struggled to maintain any sort of momentum. Eagle looked very dangerous on the break with Purcell, Burthem & Shaw now playing with no fear and running at Whaley’s back four.

Man of the match Purcell received the ball down the left and he beat his marker to shoot decisively past Tattersall. The enthusiasm shown by Eagle forwards to run at Whaley earned them a third when along ball bounced inexplicable high to sail over Newton’s head, with no Streets to mop-up Eagle’s forward ran on and shot first time for number three. Tattersall managed to parry a long range effort but just to add insult to injury an Eagle forward was on hand in the right place at the right time to make it four.

Whaley tried to move things around but no avail and ultimately the despondence carried over from the first half was clear to see and unusually for Whaley they allowed it to affect their spirit.

Well done Eagle. MOM Adam Barlow

11/04/18 @ Trafford FC: Pics are now viewable here http://www.pfuto.com/p277768951

Rylands 0-2 Whaley Bridge AFC

Whaley Bridge equalled the record set by three previous clubs - Barnton in the 90’s, Linotype 80’s & Stockton Heath 50’s by winning three consecutive finals.

07/04/18

With several injuries in the squad and the cup final only a couple of days later Darryl was happy to give long-term injured James Gemmill his first full 90 minutes of the season which also allowed Jamie Kay a few more days to recover for the final; George Burgess & Jack Kelly were rested on the bench to provide more fit options for Wednesday’s final.

Whaley got off to a good start, the 4-4-2 formation headed up top by Leadbetter and J Burgess who as usual applied plenty of energy and were prepared to run in behind. A through ball supplied by Barlow found Leadbetter who turned quickly in the box and was brought down; Sutton stepped up and Wythenshawe’s Keeper Daniels not only guessed right but got good hands to turn the ball around the post. Subsequently Newton and Sutton both saw their headers going just over the bar but with Whaley still edging it they lost possession, Wythenshawe countered well and Leather picked the ball up and from 30 yards hit a great strike into Tattersall’s top right corner of the goal.

Second half and Whaley came out with more purpose and took the game to Wythenshawe creating several chances until another foul on Leadbetter resulted in a second penalty; this time Sutton made no mistake and smashed the ball high into the opposite top corner. More chances came as Burgess & Leadbetter had virtual tap-ins from 2 yards but unfortunately failed to score. G Burgess’ introduction had an immediate impact, heading in from the back post to put the visitors 1-2 up.

Whaley didn’t hold back and went looking for more, Gemmill hit the post from close range and Sutton headed wide. With only 15 minutes remaining Whaley took the opportunity to rest Leadbetter and Gilbride who will no doubt play an important part of Wednesdays final; bringing on Kelly and giving 15 minutes to young J O’Donnell who’s just turned 16.

Whaley were gulty of losing concentration and really should have seen the game out but gave away possession in the middle third, two passes later Leather hits his shot in to the bottom left giving Tattersall no chance. Heads were down but the visitors still tried to get the winner but lost possession from a throw in deep in the Wythenshawe half, the home side broke and completed the win 3-2 with nothing really left on the clock.

No complaints, Whaley made mistakes by giving away possession too easily and by missing several good chances. Two great strikes from Leather made the difference but on the bright side a good first performance of the season for Gemmill after a long term injury and let’s hope resting tired legs works out well for the cup final!

J Tattersall; W Bailey; J Gemmell; R Newton; T Streets; J Gregory; B Sutton(1) A Barlow; D Gilbride; S Leadbetter; J Burgess

G Burgess(1) J Kelly J O’Donnell