Bears go down at the death (From Warrington Guardian)

Bears go down at the death

FOUR new players made their debuts for Congleton Town on Saturday as the Bears made it five defeats in a row.

Congleton fought back to make it 2-2 midway through the second half after going two behind at Squires Gate after 20 minutes.

However all that good work was wasted as Squires hit the winning goal with five minutes to go.

Karl Wilcox, the Bears' new manager, is still seeking his first win in charge, and Congleton are sixth from bottom of the league table.

Making their debuts were goalkeeper Gary Goodwin from Biddulph Victoria, Rob Fairbanks from Hanley Town, Alan Barker from Stone Dominoes and Greg Challender from Bamber Bridge, with Darren Sherwood from Stallington on the bench.

Squires took the lead on 19 minutes when Goodwin's poor clearance allowed the home side to attack down the left.

As Tracey closed in on goal Beasley was judged to have held his shirt, and Brown scored from the penalty spot.

Squires scored their second of the afternoon a minute later, the Bears' defence being caught out when a cross went to the unmarked Sugden at the far post.

He had time to place his header past an exposed Goodwin to make it 2-0.

Challender was unlucky eight minutes into the second half when his 25-yard free kick over the wall hit the bar.

Congleton pulled a goal back on 55 minutes, Sawyer and Lloyd competing for a cross from the left.

As the ball looped up Beasley was on hand 10 yards out to fire a well-struck volley past the keeper.

The Bears were level nine minutes later, Challender striking a free kick round the wall from 25 yards and past the keeper.

Squires scored the winner on 85 minutes as a corner from the left went through to the far post.

Lloyd was there to head back over keeper Goodwin, and Drummond's efforts on the line to keep the ball out were in vain, as it ended in the roof of the net.

Congleton came close to saving the match when a cross from the left saw Beasley race in at the near post.

He beat the keeper, only to see the ball hit the post and run along the line before it was cleared by the defence.

Congleton's next game is next Saturday, January 29, when they are at home in the league to mid-table side Curzon Ashton.