Saturday, December 03, 2005
Old Boys Can't Stop League Leaders
UCLAN 1s 9-0 Bury Grammar School Old Boys 1s
Whilst the score-line suggests a one sided hammering handed out by the unbeaten league leaders, the truth isn't actually quite as bad as that.
True, 9-0 in anyone's book is a heavy defeat but this was certainly not one sided. The Old Boys had their chances, several of them in fact. It was only an inspired display from the UCLAN keeper, and the width of the post that stopped Bury from getting on the scoresheet themselves.
Still, even with these efforts UCLAN would have been victorious. Everything they hit seemed to go in, if it was on target, it was just one of those days. Credit must go to the Preston-based side who have stormed their way to the league title in an unbeaten season.
Whilst the score-line suggests a one sided hammering handed out by the unbeaten league leaders, the truth isn't actually quite as bad as that.
True, 9-0 in anyone's book is a heavy defeat but this was certainly not one sided. The Old Boys had their chances, several of them in fact. It was only an inspired display from the UCLAN keeper, and the width of the post that stopped Bury from getting on the scoresheet themselves.
Still, even with these efforts UCLAN would have been victorious. Everything they hit seemed to go in, if it was on target, it was just one of those days. Credit must go to the Preston-based side who have stormed their way to the league title in an unbeaten season.
Bury Go Down Fighting
Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s 2-5 Ormskirk 1s
Despite losing 5-2 on Saturday, it was not all doom and gloom for the Old Boys. Going into the match, Bury knew they were in for a tough time. Not only were they missing five players, but the Old Boys were facing a team with many players who had competed in Division 5 for St Helens during the previous season.
A half-time score of three nil to Ormskirk, would suggest that they overran the home side. Indeed had Tariq Sheikh and Neil Smith not made vital interventions the score-line could have been worse. However, Bury were actually well in the game. Aitken and Larmett both had chances to ensure a closer half time score, and another threatening attack was abruptly halted when James Larmett was scythed down having beaten his man. The Old Boys attacking threat was ensuring that Ormskirk could not relax.
Ormskirk quickly added a fourth, in the opening minutes of the second half, but far from being dispirited, Bury then dominated the remainder of the game. The reshuffled Bury defence of Stoneman, Sheikh, Cheung and Foster stuck to their task, whilst the midfield and attack proceeded to create a succession of chances, leaving the Ormskirk defence reeling.
In the 46th minute the Old Boys got their reward when James Berry swept home a right wing cross. The Bury pressure did not relent and Berry was soon denied a second goal by the Ormskirk keeper.
With the ball almost constantly in the Ormskirk half, the Old Boys thought they had a second when Aitken fired home a short corner. However, the goal was ruled out and in the ensuing moments of confusion, a lack of concentration allowed Ormskirk to steal in for their fifth.
But still Bury refused to give up. On several occasions desperate goal line clearances were all that stood between the Old Boys and more goals.
Finally, with only two minutes remaining, Bury got a fully deserved and long overdue second goal, when Hodbod produced an excellent finish following Spencer’s forceful run.
Again, Bury must take the positives from this fixture as they continue to learn from their first season of league hockey.
Match Day Squad: Smith, Stoneman, T. Sheikh, Cheung, Foster, Berry, Spencer, Larmett, Robinson, Hodbod, Aitken, Gwinnutt
Despite losing 5-2 on Saturday, it was not all doom and gloom for the Old Boys. Going into the match, Bury knew they were in for a tough time. Not only were they missing five players, but the Old Boys were facing a team with many players who had competed in Division 5 for St Helens during the previous season.
A half-time score of three nil to Ormskirk, would suggest that they overran the home side. Indeed had Tariq Sheikh and Neil Smith not made vital interventions the score-line could have been worse. However, Bury were actually well in the game. Aitken and Larmett both had chances to ensure a closer half time score, and another threatening attack was abruptly halted when James Larmett was scythed down having beaten his man. The Old Boys attacking threat was ensuring that Ormskirk could not relax.
Ormskirk quickly added a fourth, in the opening minutes of the second half, but far from being dispirited, Bury then dominated the remainder of the game. The reshuffled Bury defence of Stoneman, Sheikh, Cheung and Foster stuck to their task, whilst the midfield and attack proceeded to create a succession of chances, leaving the Ormskirk defence reeling.
In the 46th minute the Old Boys got their reward when James Berry swept home a right wing cross. The Bury pressure did not relent and Berry was soon denied a second goal by the Ormskirk keeper.
With the ball almost constantly in the Ormskirk half, the Old Boys thought they had a second when Aitken fired home a short corner. However, the goal was ruled out and in the ensuing moments of confusion, a lack of concentration allowed Ormskirk to steal in for their fifth.
But still Bury refused to give up. On several occasions desperate goal line clearances were all that stood between the Old Boys and more goals.
Finally, with only two minutes remaining, Bury got a fully deserved and long overdue second goal, when Hodbod produced an excellent finish following Spencer’s forceful run.
Again, Bury must take the positives from this fixture as they continue to learn from their first season of league hockey.
Match Day Squad: Smith, Stoneman, T. Sheikh, Cheung, Foster, Berry, Spencer, Larmett, Robinson, Hodbod, Aitken, Gwinnutt
