On the Road: Congleton Town v AFC Fylde 01/10/22.

The Coasters travel to Cheshire once again this season to play the much anticipated FA cup qualifying tie away to Congleton Town. Congleton. nicknamed the bears ply their trade in the North West Counties Premier division, after almost being moved into the midland football league they currently sit 10th in the league.

The Bears play all their home matches at Booth street(Cleric stadium) which is sold out for this tie which will also be shown live on the BBC. The Coasters come into the game undefeated in 8 games in cup and league and will be looking to extend that run against lower league opposition. The Bears come into the game winning 2 of there last 5 games including a comfortable 2-0 win away from home at Winsford United. 
Both teams come into this FA cup game having already put out decent performances in the competition with Congleton having already played 6 games to get this far. The Bears certainly know how to find the net in the FA Cup, scoring 13 goals so far and only conceding 4. The Coasters themselves have only played twice after being forced into a replay by Farsley Celtic. Fylde put in arguably one of the performances of the season away to Farsley running out comfortable 3-0 winners whilst Congleton’s best performance in the cup could be split around two games, one a 2-0 win away to Nantwich the other a 3-2 home win against Newcastle Town despite being 2-0 down.

The Coasters however will be playing this televised game without a manager, as former Coasters boss James Rowe resigned during the week so start a new era with Andy Taylor taking the helm for a little while. Taylor, who has a vast experience within the playing department will hope to get off to a good start in his managerial career with the Coasters being the clear favourites to win despite the momentum from the home side and the crowd being a massive advantage for Congleton. Bears boss Richard Duffy is also relatively new to the managerial scene only taking the job in May 2021.

Fylde will be expected to rotate the team and give some minutes to players who haven’t really had a sniff in the past few weeks however Taylor may look to field a strong side to keep this run going for whoever the new manager may be. Players like Emeka Obi and Sam Osborne may feature after both falling out of the team recently despite both playing well in the early games of the season. Danny Rowe and Joe Rowley may also feature despite both being out injured for the past few games. For Congleton the strongest line up possible will be expected and with no injuries to note the Bears will give the Coasters a very tough game.

One of the key matchups of the game will be Alex Whitmore against Tom Pope. The vastly experienced Bears striker certainly knows where the goal is featuring for the likes of Port Vale and Bury FC in the EFL and will give the Fylde defence something to worry about especially being such a big presence in the air as well as great at holding the ball up. Having already scored 8 goals this season he will be looking to add to that tally against the Coasters who’s defence has been up and down in terms of form with some great defensive performances and some shockers. 

The Home side however have made Booth Street a fortress this season not losing once and only drawing once in 4 games. Fylde’s away form has been inconsistent with some wins, draws and losses on the road, you can never tell which Fylde team will turn up on the road, so its the usual guessing game for the Coasters fans as well as Congleton's management team! With the game being sold out and on tv it should make quite a bit of money for Congleton and hopefully provide some much needed revenue in these tough financial times

Our prediction(hope!) is that Fylde will lead a tight affair and eventually dominate the game in the latter stages with that full time fitness proving to be too much for the part time side that are the lowest team still left in the competition. 

Its the FA Cup though and as all Coasters fans know, anything can happen in this competition!

Matchday bits...

OUR CHAIRMENS SHED IS BIGGER THAN THIS

Cleric Stadium(or in real money Booth Street)has been home to the Bears since the early 1900's.

Its a typical NW Counties ground with bits of cover on all sides of the ground, a kind of place you'd hope locals would attend more frequently as like all non league clubs the battle is for the stay at home 'Premier League' TV fan who lives locally.

Not sure if its still about but a 'Bear' in a Congleton top could be found in the clubhouse/premises, certainly unique.

LAST TIME WE MET

In Congleton it was 24th February 2009 in the North West Counties Premier division and Congleton ran out 1-0 winners, we also only drew 3-3 at Kellamargh Park on 11th March 2009, although that season ended on a good note for Fylde as we beat New Mills in the final game of the season(in front of a then record crowd)to get promoted.