Having beaten Ashington in the extra qualifying round, the Bears faced Wythenshawe of their own league in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy.
The trophy is open to teams at steps one to four of the National League system, although Saturday’s round was limited to step four only (writes Mike McLaughlin).
Prize money was again £1,500 and £400.
Wythenshawe had beaten Nantwich Town in the previous round. Having won the North West Counties Division One South and then the Premier Division in successive seasons, they were expected to prove stiff opposition.
The day was grey, gloomy even, but mild and still, good conditions for a game of football.
Wythenshawe appeared to have brought a considerable backroom staff, all suitably clad, serious and focused. Around them a decent crowd of 626 was gathering.
The Bears’ team was announced as Parton, Arnold, Morris, Williams, Ryder, Chadwick, Sankey, Stringer, McCarthy, Hartshorn and Needham with Hampton, Porter, Garner-Knapper, Hall and Trowers on the bench.
Plenty of new, young blood was apparent, a good sign and a welcome change from the situation but a few seasons ago.
Measured
The Bears began upbank. The pace of the game was initially measured, flowing but without any particular urgency.
Parton caught an early shot comfortably. Arnold essayed a good run and cross at the other end.
A weak Ryder header to Chadwick momentarily caused alarm in the home defence on five.
On six minutes Needham almost reached a cross with his head.
It was gradually building into a busy game, movement mainly short, quick and precise.
Both teams were committed and looked accomplished.
On nine minutes a move between Hartshorn, Needham and Williams almost pierced the visitors.
On 11 minutes McCarthy sent Needham scurrying forwards but a throw-in was the only outcome.
Wythenshawe were favouring their left flank, switching wingers in the process, but young Bears full-backs Arnold and Morris looked very capable.
The visitors enjoyed a brief spell of sustained attack, Parton saving a low shot without fuss.
On 21 minutes Hartshorn finished a pleasing Bears attack by netting, sadly the flag was aloft.
The visitors won several corners in succession, but the home defence, with Ryder and Chadwick like beacons in a turbulent sea, dealt with any threat with reassuring ease and calm.
Back came the home side. Needham stretched the keeper with an accurate free-kick. Arnold broke dangerously on 30 minutes but his run was blocked.
Morris, on the opposite flank was busy, probing forward at every opportunity. Parton was quickly off his line to stifle a fast break.
On 33 minutes, Williams in deep defence, slung a long ball forward. McCarthy latched on to it but was roughly bundled over as he swept into the area. No penalty was fair, but close.
The game was flowing, each team industrious and skilled, neither able to take control.
Williams was felled in midfield by his opposing doppelganger and Needham’s free-kick reached Chadwick, but his header was cleared.
On 40 minutes, McCarthy was through again, bustling deep into the area. He was brought to ground close to the near post and a penalty was inevitably awarded.
Sadly, his shot, to the keeper’s right, was low, weak and easily saved.
A relieved Wythenshawe won a corner but Parton caught it comfortably.
Fair
It had been an interesting, well-contested half. The scoreline was probably fair, but an edge in chances and a missed penalty said something.
The home side resumed well.
Needham, juggling an awkwardly bouncing ball, went through on the right and supplied McCarthy, supporting him inside. A desperate visiting defence managed to clear.
There followed an exchange of corners, the Bears making more of their opportunities, but a goalmouth scuffle rather than a score was all to show.
But now the Bears were beginning to assert, pressing the visitors back into defence. They looked the more energetic team, and more compact, as Wythenshawe showed signs of flagging.
Stretched
Their defence was becoming more stretched, gaps were appearing, but the home side seemed to want to walk the ball into the net rather than thump it.
On 64 minutes a good attack on the left gave Knapper space coming in from the right, but he skied his shot.
On 66 minutes, however, Williams won possession in midfield and lobbed a precise pass over the defence to a lurking McCarthy. Taking it in his stride, he lobbed the onrushing keeper; what a lovely goal, 1-0.
The Bears were clearly in control. Knapper was pressing and probing down the right, twice in quick succession blocked only with difficulty.
On 74 minutes Wythenshawe managed a solo break but Parton saved well low down.
Hartshorn was particularly evident in midfield, winning tackles again and again, pushing the opposition back.
Knapper was enjoying his team’s control, sweeping forward time after time, threatening to break through at any moment.
McCarthy was in the clear but offside.
Wythenshawe fought back. They managed to maintain some possession in the home half but couldn’t penetrate an impressive defence.
This was reinforced late in the game as Hall replaced Needham and the back four became a five.
On 88 minutes as Parton caught a free-kick he was bundled into, and moments later from a corner he was barged heavily again.
Wythenshawe were showing their desperation, but their opponents calmly refused to concede anything.
Williams burst out of defence, his team winning a corner.
Knapper was clear yet again, only to be fouled wide on the right.
Hampton rumbled forward with menace, winning another foul.
The ball was strategically kept in the corner until the referee decided that the five extra minutes had elapsed.
The game had been a good one. Both teams looked capable, showing determination and a resolute work-ethic.
Narrow as was the margin of victory, the Bears were deserving winners. They had played well individually and collectively in a compact, skilled performance.
The league fixture on Saturday at Wythenshawe should be well worth watching.
In later interviews the Bears management was content. The team had moved and worked throughout as a team; the back line again strong. It had been back to basics after a loose performance last week at Runcorn. It had been a “decent win against a decent outfit”.
