Saturday, November 26, 2005
Bury Rue Missed Chances
Urmston Men's 4s 2-1 Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s
Bury left the pitch on Saturday knowing that the score line did not reflect their performance.
After last week’s game, captain Sameer Sheikh, had asked for more incisive build up play – and his team responded.
With David Hodbod playing in a more advanced position, Bury produced some of their best hockey of the season. One and two touch passing carved Urmston’s defence open throughout the game, however the Old Boys lacked the killer touch in front of goal. Under such pressure, Urmston’s only escape route were long balls to their lone striker.
It was one of these instances that lead to Urmston taking the lead, against the run of play. A tame shot was turned towards the by-line by Sameer Sheikh. With no support available, the Urmston striker aimlessly played the ball back into the middle. There was no apparent danger until the ball bounced, and span wickedly towards the net. The wrong-footed defence could do nothing but watch the ball trickle into the net.
Bury applied more pressure but still couldn’t apply the finishing touch to equalise before half time, with both Aitken and Robinson going close.
The second half started in fiery fashion with Tariq Sheikh and an Urmston forward being sin binned after a scuffle broke out, following the man handling of the Bury captain.
Eventually Bury’s pressure and dominance paid off. In the 55th minute Ian Hillary crashed home a short corner to level the scores. Bury then laid siege to the Urmston goal with Foster, Aitken, McManus and Berry all going close.
However, it was another of Urmston’s long balls that helped them to clinch the game. A piercing free hit picked out the only Urmston player in the D, his first time sliding finish was enough to steal a fortuitous victory for the home side.
Bury must take the positives out of this game and focus on taking chances in order to finish teams off.
Match Day Squad: Roberts, T. Sheikh, Cheung, McManus, S. Sheikh, Foster, Hillary, Spencer, Ainscow, Hodbod, Aitken, Berry, Gwinnutt, Robinson.
Bury left the pitch on Saturday knowing that the score line did not reflect their performance.
After last week’s game, captain Sameer Sheikh, had asked for more incisive build up play – and his team responded.
With David Hodbod playing in a more advanced position, Bury produced some of their best hockey of the season. One and two touch passing carved Urmston’s defence open throughout the game, however the Old Boys lacked the killer touch in front of goal. Under such pressure, Urmston’s only escape route were long balls to their lone striker.
It was one of these instances that lead to Urmston taking the lead, against the run of play. A tame shot was turned towards the by-line by Sameer Sheikh. With no support available, the Urmston striker aimlessly played the ball back into the middle. There was no apparent danger until the ball bounced, and span wickedly towards the net. The wrong-footed defence could do nothing but watch the ball trickle into the net.
Bury applied more pressure but still couldn’t apply the finishing touch to equalise before half time, with both Aitken and Robinson going close.
The second half started in fiery fashion with Tariq Sheikh and an Urmston forward being sin binned after a scuffle broke out, following the man handling of the Bury captain.
Eventually Bury’s pressure and dominance paid off. In the 55th minute Ian Hillary crashed home a short corner to level the scores. Bury then laid siege to the Urmston goal with Foster, Aitken, McManus and Berry all going close.
However, it was another of Urmston’s long balls that helped them to clinch the game. A piercing free hit picked out the only Urmston player in the D, his first time sliding finish was enough to steal a fortuitous victory for the home side.
Bury must take the positives out of this game and focus on taking chances in order to finish teams off.
Match Day Squad: Roberts, T. Sheikh, Cheung, McManus, S. Sheikh, Foster, Hillary, Spencer, Ainscow, Hodbod, Aitken, Berry, Gwinnutt, Robinson.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
A Game of Two Halves
Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s 0-4 Didsbury Northern Men's 6s
A somewhat depleted Bury side took on Didsbury 6s this Saturday. Although missing captain Sameer Sheikh and winger Andy Foster, The Old Boys were boosted by the return of regular keeper Neil Smith.
A tight first half saw defences on top, with clear cut chances at a premium. Although Bury had several promising moves, the final ball often failed to reach its target. At the other end, the reshuffled defence and tireless midfield did well to deny Didsbury any clear opportunities.
Halfway through the second half, a stroke of luck fell Didsbury's way. The ball found its way through a ruck of players at the top of the 'D', and was tucked away by a Didsbury striker. The Old Boys were then dealt a further blow, when centre back Matt Cooke joined Jacky Cheung on the sidelines. As Bury rearranged their defence for the third time, Didsbury capitalised and stole a second goal.
With ten minutes remaining, Bury knew they had to push forward. However, they were twice caught on the counter attack, leading to a somewhat harsh scoreline.
As it stands Bury are comfortably in mid-table, but know they must become more incisive, if they are to put pressure on the top teams.
Match Day Squad: Smith, Stoneman, T. Shiekh, Cheung, Spencer, Aitken, Hillary, Hodbod, Robinson, Cooke, Ainscow, Gwinnutt, Larmett, Berry
A somewhat depleted Bury side took on Didsbury 6s this Saturday. Although missing captain Sameer Sheikh and winger Andy Foster, The Old Boys were boosted by the return of regular keeper Neil Smith.
A tight first half saw defences on top, with clear cut chances at a premium. Although Bury had several promising moves, the final ball often failed to reach its target. At the other end, the reshuffled defence and tireless midfield did well to deny Didsbury any clear opportunities.
Halfway through the second half, a stroke of luck fell Didsbury's way. The ball found its way through a ruck of players at the top of the 'D', and was tucked away by a Didsbury striker. The Old Boys were then dealt a further blow, when centre back Matt Cooke joined Jacky Cheung on the sidelines. As Bury rearranged their defence for the third time, Didsbury capitalised and stole a second goal.
With ten minutes remaining, Bury knew they had to push forward. However, they were twice caught on the counter attack, leading to a somewhat harsh scoreline.
As it stands Bury are comfortably in mid-table, but know they must become more incisive, if they are to put pressure on the top teams.
Match Day Squad: Smith, Stoneman, T. Shiekh, Cheung, Spencer, Aitken, Hillary, Hodbod, Robinson, Cooke, Ainscow, Gwinnutt, Larmett, Berry
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Last Minute Winner Sinks Old Boys
Bury Grammar School Old Boys 0-1 Brooklands 7s
This was a hard fought game which demonstrated that The Old Boys are capable of competing with the top teams in the division.
As the score-line suggests this was a very close game, sealed in the final moments in controversial fashion. The Old Boys had matched the Manchester side for much of the game, creating numerous chances of their own, whilst dealing with the threat posed by the opposition forwards. Bury bounced back well from last week's defeat at Timperley, pushing Brooklands all the way.
When the goal finally came, it was from a short corner. Bury had blocked several earlier efforts through the work of Cheung, Stoneman, Tariq Sheikh and Sameer Sheikh. However, this time, the defensive runner was seemingly blocked by a Brooklands forward, allowing time and space for a shot. The umpire saw nothing wrong with the passage of play and awarded the goal, giving Brooklands a narrow victory.
Still, credit must go to Bury. This was a team relgated from division nine last season, to hold them for as long as The Old Boys did shows much promise for the future.
This was a hard fought game which demonstrated that The Old Boys are capable of competing with the top teams in the division.
As the score-line suggests this was a very close game, sealed in the final moments in controversial fashion. The Old Boys had matched the Manchester side for much of the game, creating numerous chances of their own, whilst dealing with the threat posed by the opposition forwards. Bury bounced back well from last week's defeat at Timperley, pushing Brooklands all the way.
When the goal finally came, it was from a short corner. Bury had blocked several earlier efforts through the work of Cheung, Stoneman, Tariq Sheikh and Sameer Sheikh. However, this time, the defensive runner was seemingly blocked by a Brooklands forward, allowing time and space for a shot. The umpire saw nothing wrong with the passage of play and awarded the goal, giving Brooklands a narrow victory.
Still, credit must go to Bury. This was a team relgated from division nine last season, to hold them for as long as The Old Boys did shows much promise for the future.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
A Scoreline With A Ring To It
Timperley Men's 5s 7-0 Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s
They say the table never lies. Third from bottom Timperley with one win in five, and only five goals, hosted Bury Grammar Old Boys, third in the league, with the second best defensive record. This game was played on a Sunday due to a postponement, needless to say BGSOB have learnt that sometimes it’s better to play on a Saturday with nine men, rather than to hand your opponents an advantage on the Sunday.
This result seems all the more bizarre when compared to the two clubs' progress as the season went on. This was the last game Timperley won, and in all the following fixtures they only managed to score once in a game. As the season ended Timperley finished bottom of the league whilst The Old Boys went on to claim fifth place in their debut season. When looking at these facts only one word springs to mind when looking at this result. I'm sure you can work out what it is.
They say the table never lies. Third from bottom Timperley with one win in five, and only five goals, hosted Bury Grammar Old Boys, third in the league, with the second best defensive record. This game was played on a Sunday due to a postponement, needless to say BGSOB have learnt that sometimes it’s better to play on a Saturday with nine men, rather than to hand your opponents an advantage on the Sunday.
This result seems all the more bizarre when compared to the two clubs' progress as the season went on. This was the last game Timperley won, and in all the following fixtures they only managed to score once in a game. As the season ended Timperley finished bottom of the league whilst The Old Boys went on to claim fifth place in their debut season. When looking at these facts only one word springs to mind when looking at this result. I'm sure you can work out what it is.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
OLD BOYS TAKE DERBY POINTS
Bolton Men's 6s 1-2 Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s
The Old Boys approached their first derby game looking to claim a victory that would send them into the top three.
The game started evenly with both sides using the ball well when in possession, but also standing firm in defence.
After fifteen minutes however, a well drilled ball into the Bury ‘D’ was turned in from point blank range, to edge Bolton in front.
Bury responded by upping the tempo and having their best spell of the game. With 28 minutes gone, a good move on the right from Tariq Sheikh and David Hodbod resulted in a free hit at the top of the ‘D’. Spencer struck the ball towards goal and Joe Ainscow was on hand to deftly deflect the ball past the stranded Bolton keeper
The Old Boys pushed for a second, but were made to wait until the 60th minute before breaking through. Good work from Robinson on the left saw the ball shifted to Ainscow. His pass was touched on by Hodbod to Aitken, who finished well for his third of the season.
Bury were indebted to Hugh Bearn whose fine double save kept the score at 2-1, as Bolton pushed for an equaliser. However, Bury held firm to take the points and move into third place.
Match Day Squad: Bearn, T. Sheikh, Cheung, Cooke, S. Sheikh, Hodbod, Hillary, Foster, Berry, Robinson, Spencer, Ainscow, Aitken.
The Old Boys approached their first derby game looking to claim a victory that would send them into the top three.
The game started evenly with both sides using the ball well when in possession, but also standing firm in defence.
After fifteen minutes however, a well drilled ball into the Bury ‘D’ was turned in from point blank range, to edge Bolton in front.
Bury responded by upping the tempo and having their best spell of the game. With 28 minutes gone, a good move on the right from Tariq Sheikh and David Hodbod resulted in a free hit at the top of the ‘D’. Spencer struck the ball towards goal and Joe Ainscow was on hand to deftly deflect the ball past the stranded Bolton keeper
The Old Boys pushed for a second, but were made to wait until the 60th minute before breaking through. Good work from Robinson on the left saw the ball shifted to Ainscow. His pass was touched on by Hodbod to Aitken, who finished well for his third of the season.
Bury were indebted to Hugh Bearn whose fine double save kept the score at 2-1, as Bolton pushed for an equaliser. However, Bury held firm to take the points and move into third place.
Match Day Squad: Bearn, T. Sheikh, Cheung, Cooke, S. Sheikh, Hodbod, Hillary, Foster, Berry, Robinson, Spencer, Ainscow, Aitken.
