Bears leave it late late late
Bears faced local rivals Hanley on Tuesday night looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and they did, thanks to 1 94th minute penalty.
In a competitive game, both teams created good openings and both keepers pulled off some excellent saves. Parton for the Bears thwarting a number of dangerous crosses and Lawrence for Hanley making a stunning save to prevent Johns putting the Bears in front and then tipping over a Williamson shot.
Despite the pressure, the half ended goal less.
The second half continued in the same vein and Williamson shot just wide after Schofield saw his shot blocked. Parton was next to tip one over from Ashton. Bears brought on Cope and Bott in an effort to force the goal but on 76 minutes Swale saw Red for the Bears and it looked like it was going to be a nail biting finish. Jepson went close with a header and then deep into added time the Bears were awarded a penalty and the Hanley keeper was sent off. Aaron Bott stepped up and stroked the ball home to give the Bears all three points.
Bears: Parton, Baker, Swale, Graves, Duffy, Jepson, Williamson, Beaumont, Johns (Cope 60), Johnson (Ryder 76). Schofield (Bott 71)
Subs: Peters, Fenton