Congleton Town suffered a tough final away league game against AFC Liverpool on Wednesday night.

A much-changed Bears side were defeated 8-2 in Crosby despite Darren Chadwick putting the visitor’s ahead within the opening few minutes.

The defender latched onto Pete Williams’ corner to head home at the back post, in trademark Congleton Town fashion.

A goal that Congleton were certainly rewarding of, as Ollie Griffiths and Tom Hampton saw early efforts fly marginally wide of the hosts’ goal.

Jesse Dowling’s quick-fire brace saw the home side take the lead with the winger netting a penalty and slotting past Elliott Cooper minutes later.

Dowling was then denied a hat trick as he saw a fierce effort cannon back of the crossbar, on the half-hour mark.

Finlay Heath grabbed AFC Liverpool’s third with a wonderful curling effort from outside the box before Kyle Schorah scored twice to send Congleton 5-1 down at the interval.

Richard Duffy’s side were rewarded for another strong start after the break with Ollie Griffiths taking the ball past the onrushing Jack McGovern and slotting home into an empty net.

Tom Douglas was on hand to remove any glimmer of hope for The Bears as the substitute reacted quickest to fire home a rebound following a free-kick.

William McCarthy rubbed more salt in the Congleton wounds as he slotted past Cooper before Alfie Cunningham completed the scoring after diverting a goal-line scramble in the closing stages.

The Bears have their final league game of the season on Saturday as they prepare to welcome Longridge Town.

Be sure to get down to the Cleric Stadium to cheers the lads on as they look to end their 2022/23 NWCFL Premier Division campaign with a win.