INJURIES and suspensions cost Congleton Town dear on Saturday as they were thrashed 5-0 by an in form Eastwood Town.

The Bears were still in with a shout at just 1-0 down at the break, but their heads went down in the second half when two quick goals put paid to their challenge.

Congleton were without four key players for their away clash, Simon Rudge and Steve Rothwell through suspension and Chris Sutton and Paul Abbey sidelined through injury.

In addition Rob Wade has left for Newcastle Town, and Graham Harrison was not fully fit, and struggled after not having played for several weeks.

To add to their problems Congleton faced a side unbeaten in 13 games, with Eastwood taking the lead after just six minutes from a free kick 20 yards out which took a deflection off the wall.

Ray Birch hit the post for Congleton with a shot after 15 minutes, but fourth from bottom Congleton were dead and buried after Eastwood made it 3-0 with goals on 50 and 55 minutes.

A header in the 65th minute made it 4-0, and six-placed Eastwood notched their fifth in the dying minutes from a direct free kick curled round the wall.

"The lads did very well in the first half, but once Eastwood got their second and third their heads went down,'' said Bears' secretary Dave Willcock.

"We were decimated through injuries and suspensions, were struggling all round, and Eastwood's fitness and class gradually took over in the second half.''

Congleton youth team player Ian Marshall, aged 17, was called up to replace Abby at centre half, and new boys Paul Edge from Biddulph, Spencer Maloney and Nick Ambrose were brought on in the second half after the match was lost.

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