First Win for Vince

[townbear]

Taken from Pitchero non-league

Congleton Town moved up to mid-table in the North West Counties League Premier Division on Saturday with a hard- fought victory over AFC Liverpool – the first win of manager Jim Vince's reign.
The Bears created the better chances and claimed the points thanks to Dan Schwarz's first half strike. They almost extended their lead in the second period as Jamie Turner hit the post, before Francis Barry came within inches of a leveller for the Merseysiders.

Vince, who was appointed at the end of January, was delighted with the resilience shown by his new-look side.

"I was pleased from a defensive perspective. It's important to win and maintain our status in the division," he said.

"The team we played today beat the second-placed side in midweek, so we knew it would be a tough game. The only negative I have is that we didn't keep the ball well enough. I expect that from my teams.

"There is a lot of work to be done, but keeping the ball creates time and space, and we didn't do that.

"It was pleasing to score from a set-piece because it's something we have worked on in training.

"I see the potential of this club, and that's why I joined. We are aiming to get out of this division as soon as we can."

[townbear]

this one is from the Evening Sentinel

CONGLETON Town moved up to mid-table with a hard-fought victory over AFC Liverpool – the first win of manager Jim Vince's reign.

The Bears created the better chances and claimed the points thanks to Dan Schwarz's first-half strike.

​They almost extended their lead in the second period as Jamie Turner hit the post, before Francis Barry came within inches of a leveller for the Merseysiders.

Vince, who was appointed at the end of January, was delighted with the resilience shown by his side.

"I was pleased from a defensive perspective. It's important to win and maintain our status in the division," he said.

"The team we played today beat the second-placed side in midweek, so we knew it would be a tough game. The only negative I have is that we didn't keep the ball well enough. I expect that from my teams.

"There is a lot of work to be done, but keeping the ball creates time and space, and we didn't do that.

"It was pleasing to score from a set-piece because it's something we have worked on in training.

"I see the potential of this club, and that's why I joined. We are aiming to get out of this division as soon as we can."

Congleton settled well early on, but it was the visitors who had the first chance on five minutes as John Lawless's drive was blocked by Chris Middleton.

The Bears' first chance came soon after when Joe Guest's dipping long-range drive was comfortably held by keeper Leon Bimpson.

Liverpool continued to threaten and were thwarted by a smart save by Ashley Woodhouse to deny Steve Jones in the box.

Congleton took the lead on 32 minutes. David Dempsey's corner from the right was flicked on at near post by Andrew Alston and Schwarz nodded home from close range.

Liverpool almost equalised six minutes later, but Steven Corris sent a half-volley inches wide of goal.

They wasted another chance early in the second half, as Nevil Picton's headed tamely at Woodhouse when well placed.

Lawless again went close as Corris's short corner found him unmarked, and his chipped effort was headed off the line by Turner.

Congleton went close to doubling their lead, but Guest's cross from the left was nodded against the post by Turner.

Liverpool began to try their luck from distance with Darren Torpey firing well wide from distance.

Liverpool threatened again a couple of minutes later, as Lawless found Muktar Mahama, who set up Jones to fire narrowly wide.

Congleton were defending in numbers, and Ian Willis showed great bravery with four minutes left to charge down Lawless's stinging long-range effort.

Barry almost rescued a point for the struggling Merseysiders deep into stoppage time.

But having cut in from the right wing, he shot narrowly wide of goal.

Congleton: Woodhouse, Schwarz, Willis, Middleton, Alston, Guest, Basford, Gill, McCoy (Doherty, 75), Dempsey (Turner, 45), Graham. Subs not used: Wooliscroft, Coyne, Southern.

[bearbehind]

Ramms v Congleton
Was it a serious tactical error last night?
To go 1 upfront with 15min to go in a fairly even game (could have gone either way) against a high flying Ramms.
Invite pressure, no one up front to hold the ball up and loose 3-0 because of it.
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!