Goal-shy Bears miss suspended Haddrell
HOTSHOT Matt Haddrell was sorely missed by Congleton Town as they gained a solitary point over Easter.
Haddrell was suspended for Saturday's match at bottom side Nelson, which ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
He was also missing through suspension from the Bears' line-up for Monday's home match against third-placed Newcastle Town.
The visitors ran out 2-0 winners, sealing the three points with a second goal at the death.
"Newcastle looked the more purposeful side, and we clearly missed Haddrell on Monday and Saturday," said Bears' press officer Ken Mead.
"As well as the goals he scores for us he also has a major physical presence.
"The results means we could have to work hard to hold onto fourth place in the table.
"Although Nelson are bottom, they looked a different side to the one we played earlier in the season.
"They have a new manager, have signed some players and have improved greatly in the last few weeks."
Newcastle took the lead six minutes before half-time.
A ball into the Congleton box bounced over Andy Alston, and an attempted overhead kick by a Newcastle player flew over keeper Heeps and hit the bar.
It rebounded out to the Newcastle centre-half, who picked his spot to put Newcastle ahead.
Heeps pulled off a good save in the first half from a shot from 25 yards, and produced another fine stop in the second, diving across goal to push a 20-yard drive round the post.
Newcastle sealed victory two minutes from the end when the Bears were pushing up in search of the equaliser.
The visitors broke away down the right, and a player slotted the ball past Heeps from an angle.
Nelson hit the bar and post in the first half, and hit the foot of the post in the second.
Heeps got down to save well at the feet of a Nelson player in the second half, and the Nelson keeper was forced into a save from a snap shot from 12 yards by Andy Hurst.
Darren Twigg hit the post with a shot from an angle, and Congleton were camped in the Nelson half in the last 10 minutes.
Congleton travel to 14th-placed St Helens Town this Saturday, and seek to retain the Mid Cheshire FA Cup at 7.45pm next Tuesday in the final against Winsford at Barton Stadium.
Check before travelling to St Helens, as the rugby league team play tomorrow night.
2:34pm Thursday 27th March 2008
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