Bears out of the Senior Cup

The Bears included new signing Jack Hunter on the bench and he was to get a short stint on the field as a late substitute.Linnets had the better of the early opportunities an Craig Ellison made a good save after five minutes. The Bears were trying to push forward but the home defence was up to the challenge and kept most forays forward at bay.

The opening goal came from a low cross which Wylie bundled over the line from close range, 1-0. Congleton then upped the pressure and had more of the ball as they pushed forward but it was against the run of play that Linnets doubled their lead after twenty five minutes. Another ball across the Bears goal saw Bryant got a deft touch to steer it over the line, 2-0. Minutes later Tom Morris put in a great sliding tackle which saw the Bears over the crossbar and out for a corner when a goal looked certain.

Congleton almost got one back when Rick Peters hit a pile driver from 30 yards needed an excellent save to push the ball around the post, then Ellison was equally good with a save on the line from a high cross.

Half time Runcorn Linnets 2-0 Congleton Town

Linnets started the second half the stronger and made several good runs at the Bears defence but it was a Congleton effort from 25 yards that had the home keeper back peddling but the ball dropped just over the bar.

Linnets pressure continued and they forced a number of corners but couldn’t capitalise, then thw Bears grabbed a lifeline. A strong run down the left by Billy Hasler-Cregg saw him cross low into the box and sub Saul Henderson was there at the back post to tap home, 2-1.

Wylie then brought out a good save from Ellison with a strong header but the Bears continued to push in search of the equaliser and a shot from just inside the penalty area was fired over.

As the game opened out in the last ten minutes both sides created half chances but it was Linnets who stretched their lead when a sweeping move saw Bryant fire home, 3-1.

The Bears then thought they were in but the off-side flag saved the home side and the game was finally killed off when Gibson hit a thunderbolt in the last minute.

Final Score: Runcorn Linnets 4-1 Congleton Town
Team: Ellison Disney, Peters (Henderson 63), Ryder, Morris, Griffith, Hasler-Cregg, Speed, Foster (Main 77), Cope, Adegbenro (Hunter 85)