JOHNS QUICK OFF THE MARK AS CONGLETON NET VASE WIN

CONGLETON Town reached the last 16 of the Buildbase FA Vase for only the second time in their history with a 1-0 victory over Malvern Town at the Cheshire Silk Stadium.

The game started superbly for the Bears as they took the lead in the first minute. A long ball from Alex Morris saw Arron Johns race clear and he slotted it past Keiron Blackburn for his third goal in the last three Vase ties. Dan Cope had a shot saved by Blackburn and Will Buckley fired wide as Congleton were generally in control.

Seven minutes before the interval Buckley almost doubled their lead with a powerful shot from 20 yards that produced a superb diving save by Blackburn. After the break George Hayes had a shot blocked as Malvern, from the Hellenic League, hit back while at the other end Jordan Johnson curled a free-kick just wide of the mark.

Cope also had a shot saved. Malvern began to put the pressure on but the Bears defence, marshalled by Port Vale academy coach and former Wales international Richard Duffy, held firm. The closest the visitors came was when Josh Ryder headed an effort off the line. Buckley was again denied by Blackburn and substitute Max Mccarthy went through one on one, but the overworked Blackburn thwarted him as Congleton took their place in the fifth round for the first time since 2003/04.

The victory earned them prize money of £1,875 and a trip to Hebburn Town in the next round, to be played this coming Saturday. Hebburn reached the final of last season’s competition, which will be played in two weeks’ time after being delayed due to the pandemic.