A fine hat-trick from Alex Cherera helped book Bury’s place in the next round of the FA Cup following a 4-2 victory away at Congleton Town.

Facing former North West Counties side Congleton Town who now ply their trade in the NPL West the Bears offered a stiff test for Dave McNabb’s side but three goals from the winger Cherera and another from Ruben Jerome underlined Bury’s credentials at this early stage of the season.

There were two changes to the Bury side that beat Padiham in midweek with Efe Ambrose replacing Macauley Wilson in defence and Cherera preferred at left wing to Rustam Stepans who made the bench.

In contrast to previous matches neither side made a quick start both preferring to take the measure of the other in the early proceedings. Cherera had Bury’s first real chance with home goalkeeper David Parton forced into a save. At the other end Shakers stopper Tom Stewart made a last-ditch block at the far post after the home side broke in behind the Bury defensive line.

Gradually Bury started to impose themselves in the contest. Lewis Earl had a decent long range effort from a free kick which was saved, a header from the subsequent corner was just over the goal. The Shakers took the lead late in the first half thanks to Cherera. Bringing the ball down well from a long range pass he beat his marker before firing a shot into the Congleton goal leaving Parton with little chance to stop it.

While the first half had been a fairly equal battle between the two sides the visitors came out much the stronger after the break with the NPL side threatened by the pace of Bury’s attack. Quick interplay on the right wing between Iyrwah Gooden and Sam Coughlan allowed the latter to cross the ball to Cherera waiting at the edge of the penalty box. The 19-year-old struck well, thumping a volley into the far corner of the goal.

Bury’s two goal advantage was not to last long however. Afforded too much time and space the Congleton dangerman Max McCarthy curled a beautiful shot into the far corner beyond the grasp of Bury keeper Tom Stewart.

Only five minutes later Bury extended their lead. Once again good work on the right-hand side allowed Bebeto Gomes to get the ball to Alex Cherera. Bury’s number 11 showed some neat footwork to allow just enough space to get a shot off. His effort flicked goalwards with the outside of his boot beat Parton who got just a fingertip to the shot but could not stop it finding its way into the far corner and securing a hat-trick for Cherera.

Bury made sure of their progression to the next round with a corner that was bundled home from short range by Ruben Jerome. The former Ramsbottom United man getting his first competitive goal for the Shakers.

It proved to be an important goal as barely a minute later Congleton scored from a corner of their own. Darren Chadwick slipping his marker sent a looping header into the far corner of the goal to narrow Bury’s lead.

Though the hosts continued to attack the Bury goal the defence held firm. Even as the Shakers were reduced to ten men with the late injury to Brad Carroll the visitors continued to look the stronger of the two sides. The final whistle blew confirming Bury’s place in the next round of the cup and another visit to another NPL West side, Avro, on 17th August.