FA Vase report: Squires Gate 2 Congleton Town 6
These Hallmark Security League rivals went into the tie with only one win between them but it was the visitors who scored after five minutes.
Striker Declan Fletcher was allowed too much time and space to stride forward and fire into the top corner.
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Hide AdSome vital saves by Ben Fletcher then kept the Bears out until the final 10 minutes of the first half.
The hosts’ best chance of the half came on 26 minutes, when Gary Pett’s header from a free-kick struck a post and was grabbed by the keeper.
Fletcher doubled his and Town’s tally when he claimed the ball in a scramble and turned sharply to fire home.
Full-back Thomas Morris scored with a bullet header three minutes before the break to make it 3-0.
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Hide AdGate were back in the game four minutes after the restart, when Pett’s ball into the box was superbly volleyed in off a post by Dean Ing.
However, Town striker Jason Carey waltzed through the defence to make it 4-1 on 55 minutes, then two minutes later Nick Greenall found the top corner with a screamer from the edge of the box to cut the deficit to two again.
The introduction of Tarren Moxon increased Gate’s goal threat but his shot was saved after a jinking run on the hour.
Emini Adegbenro tapped in at the far post to make it 5-2 on 66 minutes. And although Moxon and Mark Buchan went close for Gate, the Bears made it six when substitute striker Steve Foster raced on to a ball over the top on 78 minutes.
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Hide AdPett hit a post for the second time with a thunderous late strike for Gate, who return to league action at home to Widnes on Friday night.
MARK ASHMORE
Gate: Fletcher, O’Mahoney, Douthwaite, Moorhead, Carroll, Colquhoun, Penswick, Greenall, Pett, Buchan, Ing. Subs: Moxon, Webb, Smith