Mersey Valley produced a spirited team performance to beat Congleton Town Reserves at Banky Lane yesterday.

New signings Tom Brailsford and Noel Aredu were both incuded in the match day squad. Renshaw and Adams both returned to the starting line-up.

The visitors hit first, just 90 seconds in, and a bouncing ball caused confusion in the Valley defence, and Owen smashed home from inside the area.

Valley reacted brilliantly, Skelton flicked on to send Matthews clean through, and he kept his composure to score his first goal for the club. He nearly made it 2-1 after a stunning run but saw his effort cleared off the line.

Congleton looked dangerous down the left-hand side, Harding causing problems, but the Valley defence looked more organised and disciplined and stood firm.

At the other end, Woolley and Adams both had half-chances, but the game reached half-time even with both teams happy with their first-half performances.

HT: Mersey Valley 1 Congleton Town Reserves 1

Both sides started well, Matthews with a mazy run just overran the ball, and Gorst made two good blocks.

The big moment arrived just past the hour, Woolley with a brilliant corner, met by Adams, who powered his header home to give Valley the lead.

Matthews was replaced by debutant Aredu and Palmas-Atkins replaced Woolley who had again put in another fine shift down the left hand side.

A moment of madness from Maccabe saw Congleton reduced to 10 men, a second yellow card for decent, which led to a red card.

However, this seemed to spur the visitors on, who made positive changes in search of an equaliser, but Gorst was on hand to save two tame shots.

The full-time whistle went, and Valley has secured a big win to move above their visitors in the table – but the drama wasn’t over! A confrontation between Adams and Congleton skipper Clews saw the Valley man shown a straight red card, a sour end to such a sweet day.

FT: Mersey Valley 2 Congleton Town Reserves 1