manchesterfootball.info’s Tony Bugby continues his ‘Ten Tier Challenge’ which is to watch a match at every level of the pyramid from the Premier League down to North West Counties League, first division south where he kicked off the challenge. Here he visits Irlam Town in NWCL, premier division. Look out soon for an in-depth feature on each level.
IRLAM TOWN 0, CONGLETON TOWN 3
Port Vale legend Tom Pope’s first goal for new club Congleton Town in their emphatic victory at Irlam Town was a collectors’ item.
“I scored 115 goals for Vale, but not one was from outside the box,” explained the 35-year-old striker.
“I was tired so just hit it first time and luckily it flew into the net.”
Pope was joined on the scoresheet by Gary Roberts, 34, the former Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale midfielder who was last at Chester FC, and who was another marquee summer signings.
And Congleton player-manager Richard Duffy, 35, who won 13 full caps for Wales and was himself a former Vale player, is delighted with his captures.
He said: “It helped me knowing Tom and Gary when it came to bringing them in.
“We have signed players who are quality and who have played at a higher level. There is no doubt they will help us as they have given us a good spine to the team.
“At their age it is more about enjoying their football which is what they are doing here.”
Duffy is delighted with the start to the season winning at Longridge Town and Irlam Town in the space of three days.
“If you had asked me at the start of the season that we would win our first two games, both away, score four goals and concede none, I would have taken that,” he said.
Congleton made a dream start taking a fourth minute lead through midfielder Roberts.
Irlam failed to clear a well worked corner set-piece and Roberts fired a terrific shot across the face of goal into the far corner.
Congleton ought to have added to their tally in the opening period when Arron Johns failed to take two presentable chances.
By the same token, Irlam also had their moments as Callum Nicholas had a shot well saved by Cameron Phelps while Max Bardsley-Rowe got clear of Duffy and rounded Phelps only to shoot into the side netting.
Congleton continued to carve out chances early in the second half when former Leek Town striker Aaron Bott hit the crossbar and Johns was denied again.
It looked as though Congleton might pay for those missed chances as Irlam came back strongly.
Only two excellent saves by Phelps to deny Nicholls and Connor Martin ensured they held on to their slender one-goal lead.
Congleton sealed victory with two goals in little over one minute.
Pope put further daylight between the teams with his superb 77th minute strike.
A long ball over the Irlam defence resulted in a two versus two break. Pope burst clear in the left forward channel before whipping a first time shot from outside the box which looped over goalkeeper Kieron McCarthy, a sublime finish.
That was quickly followed by a third goal as Johns was finally rewarded for his efforts.
This time Pope provided the assist with a slide-rule pass to release Johns who slipped past centre back Karl Cassell and rounded McCarthy before slotting the ball into an empty net.
It was job well done for Congleton as they now focus on preparing for Sunday’s FA Cup tie at Emley.