Saturday, October 29, 2005
Bury Sneak Tight Contest
Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s 1-0 Preston 5s
Bury were looking to capitalise on the impressive display against Didsbury with another home fixture against Preston.
The first half was mainly contested in the midfield area with The Old Boys breaking on numerous occasions with Cooke on the right, Berry and Robinson on the left and Aitken through the middle. However, they were thwarted by some solid defending from the Preston back-line, and some final balls that were not as accurate as Bury knew they were capable of.
The breakthrough that The Old Boys wanted came early in the second half, with a ball from Spencer, that via Foster found Hodbod on the right. He drove on and rode tackles and, from the edge of the 'D', drove in a ball that was swept in by an unmarked Foster, to break the deadlock.
Bury saw the game out to record a 1-0 victory and their first clean sheet of the season, to push them to fourth in the table, four points off the pace with a game in hand.
Match Day Squad: McManus, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Cheung, Stoneman, Spencer, Hillary, Hodbod, Foster, Robinson, Aitken, Cooke, Berry, McVittie-Mathews
Bury were looking to capitalise on the impressive display against Didsbury with another home fixture against Preston.
The first half was mainly contested in the midfield area with The Old Boys breaking on numerous occasions with Cooke on the right, Berry and Robinson on the left and Aitken through the middle. However, they were thwarted by some solid defending from the Preston back-line, and some final balls that were not as accurate as Bury knew they were capable of.
The breakthrough that The Old Boys wanted came early in the second half, with a ball from Spencer, that via Foster found Hodbod on the right. He drove on and rode tackles and, from the edge of the 'D', drove in a ball that was swept in by an unmarked Foster, to break the deadlock.
Bury saw the game out to record a 1-0 victory and their first clean sheet of the season, to push them to fourth in the table, four points off the pace with a game in hand.
Match Day Squad: McManus, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Cheung, Stoneman, Spencer, Hillary, Hodbod, Foster, Robinson, Aitken, Cooke, Berry, McVittie-Mathews
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Didsbury Hit For Six
Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s 6-2 Didsbury Northern 7s
Bury returned to winning ways this week following their defeat to Lytham last Saturday.
The Old Boys started well producing slick, confident hockey which provided Will Aitken with the chance to open the scoring after just two minutes. A right wing cross was converted by the front man to give Bury the perfect start.
The lead was doubled in the 12th minute when Didsbury failed to clear a short corner. As the ball rebounded across the 'D', Sameer Sheikh was on hand to sweep it into the net.
Further good work on the left from Robinson, Hodbod, Hillary and Ainscow in the 21st minute allowed Aitken to add a third. Two minutes before half time, a momentary lapse in concentration in the Bury defence allowed Didsbury to grab a goal.
However, just a minute later, The Old Boys' three goal advantage was restored as Andy Foster turned the ball in at the near post from a tight angle, for his first of the season.
With 45 minutes gone, another piece of incisive play from Aitken, Hillary and Hodbod put Joe Ainscow clean through to make it 5-1.
Didsbury again responded with another wave of pressure - winning a short corner which was converted at the third attempt.
Eight minutes from time the Bury midfield of Robinson, Aitken, Foster, Hillary and Hodbod combined beautifully to create a one-on-one chance for Joe Ainscow's second and The Old Boys' sixth.
Bury returned to winning ways this week following their defeat to Lytham last Saturday.
The Old Boys started well producing slick, confident hockey which provided Will Aitken with the chance to open the scoring after just two minutes. A right wing cross was converted by the front man to give Bury the perfect start.
The lead was doubled in the 12th minute when Didsbury failed to clear a short corner. As the ball rebounded across the 'D', Sameer Sheikh was on hand to sweep it into the net.
Further good work on the left from Robinson, Hodbod, Hillary and Ainscow in the 21st minute allowed Aitken to add a third. Two minutes before half time, a momentary lapse in concentration in the Bury defence allowed Didsbury to grab a goal.
However, just a minute later, The Old Boys' three goal advantage was restored as Andy Foster turned the ball in at the near post from a tight angle, for his first of the season.
With 45 minutes gone, another piece of incisive play from Aitken, Hillary and Hodbod put Joe Ainscow clean through to make it 5-1.
Didsbury again responded with another wave of pressure - winning a short corner which was converted at the third attempt.
Eight minutes from time the Bury midfield of Robinson, Aitken, Foster, Hillary and Hodbod combined beautifully to create a one-on-one chance for Joe Ainscow's second and The Old Boys' sixth.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Bury Fail To Build On Good Start
Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s 1-3 Lytham St Annes Men's 6s
Following the previous weeks victory away at Prescott, it was Bury's turn to host Lytham St Annes in their first home game at Goshen. Bury were looking to build on their promising start to the season on a rainy day in Bury.
Bury started well but it was quickly evident that the swift, confident passing hockey that had worked so well against Prescott was struggling to show itself. After a few good moves Bury conceded an early short corner which resulted in a Lytham goal, the ball being tucked away at the near post at the third time of asking.
This seemed to undermine Bury,s confidence and they struggled to move the ball effectively for the next 20 minutes. It was during this time that Chris Stoneman for Bury had to clear a shot from his own line and Bury conceding another soft goal from a short corner. After this period Bury picked their game up and began to move the ball well, creating chances and James Larmett was unlucky not to score from close range. Bury continued to press and sensed that a goal was coming. Just before half time Jackie Chung intercepted a Lytham through ball and the ball was worked incisively via Matt Cooke, Ian Hillary and Will Aitken through midfield for David Hodbod and Andy Foster to chase into the area. It was Hodbod who connected with the ball sending it past the Lytham keeper to reduce the deficit.
Lytham began the second half and appeared to rely on the long ball in hope of scoring again rather than meaningful attack. Bury again struggled to assert their authority and fell behind to another short corner routine, this time the ball being lifted into the top corner from inside the edge of the D.
Again motivated Bury began to push for more goals and began to dominate the attack. Aitken Hodbod and Ainscow produced some flowing hockey to create openings up front and Foster put wide from a through ball from Xander Robinson. Robinson also went close but failed to connect with the ball at the near post with the keeper beaten. Lytham continued to use the long ball and Bury had to soak up periods of pressure in their own D.
That aside Bury know that they must do better but the talent is there and hopefully yesterday's performance will be the exception rather than the norm.
Bury Team: Chris McManus, Tariq Sheikh, Sam Sheikh, Jackie Chung, Chris Stoneman, Ian Hillary, Matt Cooke, Xander Robinson, Joe Ainscow, Will Aitken, Andy Foster. Subs: James Larmett, Mark Gwinnutt, Stuart McVitie-Matthews, David Hodbod, James Berry
Report contributed by Andy Foster
Following the previous weeks victory away at Prescott, it was Bury's turn to host Lytham St Annes in their first home game at Goshen. Bury were looking to build on their promising start to the season on a rainy day in Bury.
Bury started well but it was quickly evident that the swift, confident passing hockey that had worked so well against Prescott was struggling to show itself. After a few good moves Bury conceded an early short corner which resulted in a Lytham goal, the ball being tucked away at the near post at the third time of asking.
This seemed to undermine Bury,s confidence and they struggled to move the ball effectively for the next 20 minutes. It was during this time that Chris Stoneman for Bury had to clear a shot from his own line and Bury conceding another soft goal from a short corner. After this period Bury picked their game up and began to move the ball well, creating chances and James Larmett was unlucky not to score from close range. Bury continued to press and sensed that a goal was coming. Just before half time Jackie Chung intercepted a Lytham through ball and the ball was worked incisively via Matt Cooke, Ian Hillary and Will Aitken through midfield for David Hodbod and Andy Foster to chase into the area. It was Hodbod who connected with the ball sending it past the Lytham keeper to reduce the deficit.
Lytham began the second half and appeared to rely on the long ball in hope of scoring again rather than meaningful attack. Bury again struggled to assert their authority and fell behind to another short corner routine, this time the ball being lifted into the top corner from inside the edge of the D.
Again motivated Bury began to push for more goals and began to dominate the attack. Aitken Hodbod and Ainscow produced some flowing hockey to create openings up front and Foster put wide from a through ball from Xander Robinson. Robinson also went close but failed to connect with the ball at the near post with the keeper beaten. Lytham continued to use the long ball and Bury had to soak up periods of pressure in their own D.
That aside Bury know that they must do better but the talent is there and hopefully yesterday's performance will be the exception rather than the norm.
Bury Team: Chris McManus, Tariq Sheikh, Sam Sheikh, Jackie Chung, Chris Stoneman, Ian Hillary, Matt Cooke, Xander Robinson, Joe Ainscow, Will Aitken, Andy Foster. Subs: James Larmett, Mark Gwinnutt, Stuart McVitie-Matthews, David Hodbod, James Berry
Report contributed by Andy Foster
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Old Boys Off To Winning Start
Prescot Men's 4s 1-3 Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Bury Grammar School Old Boys got their season off to the perfect start with a 3-1 victory over Prescot.
Bury began brightly, dominating first half possession, but failing to produce the finishing touch. Twice they came close to opening the scoring, Andy Foster narrowly failing to connect with a ball into the D and Xander Robinson inches away from converting a short corner. Prescot occasionally threatened on the counter attack, but created few clear cut oppotunities, leading to a scoreless first half.
A sluggish start to the second half cost Bury dear, as an opportunist strike from the edge of the D gave Prescot the lead four minutes in. In response Bury upped the pressure and returned to their passing game, gaining their reward in the 44th minute. Following a scramble in the D, Rishi Shori pounced to sweep home the equaliser.
In the 58th minute sustained Bury pressure resulted in a short corner, which was dispatched by captain Sameer Sheikh to give Bury a deserved lead. Minutes later Bury had keeper Neil Smith to thank for maintaining their lead as he made a vital save following a rare Prescot break.
The game was made safe three minutes from time when Xander Robinson finished off a slick passing move involving Hillary, Aitken, Cooke, Ainscow and Foster for the goal of the game.
Match Day Squad: Smith, Stoneman, Cheung, Sheikh T, Sheikh S, Hillary, Cooke, Foster, Robinson, Ainscow, Shori, Aitken and Berry
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Bury Grammar School Old Boys got their season off to the perfect start with a 3-1 victory over Prescot.
Bury began brightly, dominating first half possession, but failing to produce the finishing touch. Twice they came close to opening the scoring, Andy Foster narrowly failing to connect with a ball into the D and Xander Robinson inches away from converting a short corner. Prescot occasionally threatened on the counter attack, but created few clear cut oppotunities, leading to a scoreless first half.
A sluggish start to the second half cost Bury dear, as an opportunist strike from the edge of the D gave Prescot the lead four minutes in. In response Bury upped the pressure and returned to their passing game, gaining their reward in the 44th minute. Following a scramble in the D, Rishi Shori pounced to sweep home the equaliser.
In the 58th minute sustained Bury pressure resulted in a short corner, which was dispatched by captain Sameer Sheikh to give Bury a deserved lead. Minutes later Bury had keeper Neil Smith to thank for maintaining their lead as he made a vital save following a rare Prescot break.
The game was made safe three minutes from time when Xander Robinson finished off a slick passing move involving Hillary, Aitken, Cooke, Ainscow and Foster for the goal of the game.
Match Day Squad: Smith, Stoneman, Cheung, Sheikh T, Sheikh S, Hillary, Cooke, Foster, Robinson, Ainscow, Shori, Aitken and Berry
