Kuda Chingwaro’s second half strike proved to be the difference between the two sides on Monday.
Only 48 hours on from their Macron Cup semi-final clash against Kendal, The Bears made six changes to their starting eleven, giving valuable minutes to players who haven’t played as much in recent weeks.
Richard Duffy: “Two games in three days is never good for anyone, and I don’t think Northwich Vics have had a game for nine days, so they were fresh. I knew we had to freshen it up, it’ll be the same Thursday, Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday!
“The lads know its not because anyone’s doing bad or doing well, we are just trying to manage everyone and keep everyone fit for the big game we’ve got left.
“We want to finish as high in the league as possible but whether we finish 4th, 5th or 6th isn’t going to reflect our season. The cup competitions have reflected our season this year.”
Congleton however, did have their share of chances in the match with Pete Williams coming the closest for the hosts on a couple of occasions before the interval.
The midfielder saw a free kick tipped wide by Ryan Hamer before firing over from close range on the stroke of half-time.
Dave Parton was on task to keep the deadlock unbroken going into half-time as he produced fine saves to deny big opportunities for Ryan Jackson and Kuda Chingwaro to give the visitor’s the lead.
Chingwaro made no mistake on the hour mark though, as he fired home from a couple of yards out following a goal-line scramble.
Chances arose in the closing stages for Richard Duffy’s side, with the best of them falling to Luke Noble and Tom Pope.
Noble weaved his way past numerous challenges and saw his effort saved smartly by Hamer before Tom Pope latched onto a corner at the back post but saw his header go inches wide of the post.
Richard Duffy: A useful exercise
“A little bit scrappy, but what we expected really. Picking players lacking match practise but listen I thought we’ve done well in parts. Difficult with the weather, especially in the first half, I think it was 50/50 but we didn’t take that into the second half we let them off the hook.
“They got the goal and then we didn’t really create a lot, possibly a draw would’ve been a fair result but listen I am proud again. A useful exercise for us.”
Tom, if you want some background on the Bears and the Cheshire Senior Cup, email me:
Beartown@aol.com
I have the full set of club stats I can send you.
Kevin L