Match Preview :- Congleton Town - Tuesday October 26th, 2021 (19:45:00)

On Tuesday night, Celtic travel to Congleton Town for the Cheshire Senior Cup match. Congleton are currently in the North West Counties Premier in seventh, though they have played more games than most teams. Kick-off is 7:45pm.

Congleton started their league campaign well, winning their opening four matches, with three of them away from home, including a 5-1 win over Litherland, their loss in the FA Cup to Emley barely breaking their stride. Since a home loss to Ashton Athletic at the end of August, their form has become a little more inconsistent, especially at home. Their most recent home win was a 6-1 demolition of Liverpool AFC, whilst their last two home games have seen a goalless draw with Squires Gate and a 2-0 loss to Burscough. So far this season, at home they have won only twice, drawing one and losing three. Their away record is won four, drawn three and lost three.

Congleton have no problems scoring, with eleven goals in their last five matches. They have failed to score in three matches from eighteen matches. Defensively, they have conceded nine in their last five and have kept five clean sheets so far this season. Congleton’s top scorer this season so far is Thomas Pope, who has found the net ten times. His closest rival for the golden boot is Jordan Johnson with five. Both scored in their last match against Charnock Richard.

We’ve visited Congleton three times I the past thirty years, twice in the Cheshire Senior Cup (1995 and 1996) and once in the League Cup (2001). In each case Celtic won, beating them 6-2, 4-1 and 3-1. In 2010 we played them in a friendly, which Celtic lost 1-2. In the last meeting, in the League Cup, Celtic’s goals were scored by Steve Pickford, Alex Green and Steve Jones.

In the Bear’s last match, the 4-3 away defeat to Charnock Richards, Congleton lined up as:
1. David Parton
2. Scot Lycett
3. Jordi Nsaka
4. Eric Graves
5. Oliver Jepson
6. Darren Chadwick
7. Kyle Diskin
8. Gary Roberts
9. Thomas Pope
10. Aaron Johns
11. Jordan Johnson

Celtic’s last match was the 3-1 away win over Mickleover, in which we lined up as:
1. Will Huffer
2. Josh Dawodu
3. Ashley Smith-Brown
4. Sam Wedgbury
5. Connor O’Grady
6. Keenan Quansah
7. Jake Burton
8. Charley Doyle
9. Marcus Dackers
10. Stephen Brogan
11. Justin Johnson

On paper, Celtic should have this round of the Cheshire Senior Cup in the bag, but Celtic’s cup record means this is a potential banana skin, especially given the gung-ho approach to scoring that appears to be the norm in the North West Counties Premier (Charnock Richards have scored over 50 goals in 15 games this season!). Scott Bakkor should be back in contention, and Will Huffer, Jake Burton and Marcus Dackers have fortunately been given permission to play in the competition, easing the injury worries somewhat.

Directions
Distance: 45
Time: 1 hour

From the M60, Junction 1 (Stockport) go clockwise, towards Preston.
At Junction 3 (A34) For Cheadle leave the M60 and join Kingsway Crescent (A34) towards Handforth.
You will stay on the A34 for about 16 miles, into Congleton.
As you come into Congleton, you will reach the Clayton Bypass.
Almost as soon you are on this road, you will reach a roundabout.
Go straight across (exit 3 of 5) to stay on Clayton Bypass.
At the next roundabout, turn right (exit 3 of 4) onto West Street.
You will pass a fire station on your left and a church on your right.
Take the next right after the fire station onto Booth Street.
The ground is at the bottom of Booth Street.