Congleton Town 3 Squires Gate 2: Unlucky Gate lose to late goals on opening day

Two late goals saw Squires Gate fall to an undeserved defeat on the opening day on the North West Counties League season.
By Andy Moore
Published 4th Oct 2020, 15:00 BST
Squires Gate's Cameron Gourley saw this header saved and was crucially forced off injured late in the game Picture: IAN MOORESquires Gate's Cameron Gourley saw this header saved and was crucially forced off injured late in the game Picture: IAN MOORE
Squires Gate's Cameron Gourley saw this header saved and was crucially forced off injured late in the game Picture: IAN MOORE

A combination of Covid precautions and waterlogged pitches meant this was one of only three games to go ahead in the premier division.

Gate had Dean Ing suspended following a red card in the FA Vase, though boss Luke Evans gave a debut to new signing Andy Howarth.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They started positively as a low drive from James Boyd was well held by the keeper and Howarth was inches away from a debut goal on 14 minutes, dinking the ball over the keeper but just wide from Ramwell’s fine cross.

The visitors did take the lead two minutes later, when another Ramwell cross was handled and Boyd struck the penalty well.

Five minutes later and against the run of play the Cheshire equalised with a penalty of their own.

Cameron Gourley’s foul was initially punished with a free-kick until the referee consulted an assistant and changed his mind, Aaron Bott levelling the scores.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Paul Johnson’s shot on the turn struck a Gate post and the half ended at 1-1 after Ramwell shot over from another good ball by Ramwell.

Howarth had two more shooting chances in the second half and was instrumental in Gate reclaiming the lead on 70 minutes.

His shot was parried for a corner and Boyd’s delivery was met with an unstoppable close-range header by centre-half Josh Westwood.

Goalscorer Bott headed over for Congleton but the visitors looked comfortable until a head injury to Gourley forced Gate to reshuffle with five minute left.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jordan Gidley made a superb point-blank save but Town equalised in the 90th minute, when Daniel Cope rounded the keeper confidently.

And the hosts snatched the winner in added time, when Jonathan Beaumont headed home a perfect cross from the left.

It was cruel for Gate, who controlled much of the game and play their first home match on Tuesday (7.45pm) against Padiham, who drew 4-4 with Whitchurch Alport.

JAMES ASHTON

Gate: Gidley, Dodd, Higham, Staunton-Turner, Gourley, Westwood, Howarth, Pollard, Pond, Ramwell, Boyd; Subs: Talyor, Garrett, Orr, Baldwin, Kaye.