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
