CONGLETON TOWN 2, LEEK TOWN 2
Congleton Town manager Richard Duffy dismissed any notion this was a pre-season friendly against neighbours Leek Town.
“It is two weeks until we play in the FA Cup [home to Bury] and I told the players this was our first game of the season,” explained Duffy.
It was certainly a highly competitive friendly between two teams promoted from their respective leagues.
Leek, back in Northern Premier League, Premier after a 16-year-absence, looked home and dry when they went 2-0 ahead midway through the second period.
Congleton, returning to the NPL for the first time since 2001 after being crowned Midlands League champions, displayed spirit to battle back with goals from two of their substitutes to earn a share of the spoils.
“In the second half we were chasing the game and went 4-4-2 and finished strongly,” explained Duffy.
“Our first two friendlies were nowhere near as competitive, but we knew this was a big test.”
Joe Woolley headed Leek ahead shortly before half time – Fenton Green had been denied by the frame of the goal early in the match.
Leek remained the dominant team and extended their advantage midway through the second period when striker Brendon Daniels converted a low, left-wing cross from Woolley.
The mass substitutions made by both teams had a marked effect on the game in the final quarter.
Leek’s inexperience was exposed as the changes made by the Bears made a significant improvement in their fortunes.
“We had control of the game and were not troubled, but the changes left us with an inexperienced side on the pitch at the end,” explained Leek manager Josh Brehaut.
Substitute Kieran Knapper latched on to a great through ball before advancing and firing high into the top corner from just inside the box with 19 minutes left to give Congleton hope.
And a further eight later it was 2-2 when Max McCarthy, another replacement, was put clean through and his low finish was clinical.
There were skirmishes at both ends in the final minutes but neither side could conjure a winner. However, the crowd of 552 left having been entertained.