Saturday, January 28, 2006
Old Boys Leave It Late
Preston Men's 5s 0-1 Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s
The Old Boys continued their good form in 2006 with a determined performance against Preston, on Saturday. A late goal from James Berry sealed the close win, although Bury could, and should, have had more goals.
The Old Boys had the ball in the net after just five minutes, when Matt Cooke followed up Aitken’s shot. The goal was ruled out however, as the ball had not left the circle from the earlier short corner.
The first thirty minutes saw both teams playing attacking hockey, but Bury were creating the best chances, on numerous occasions moves were simply lacking the final touch. With half an hour played however, James Larmett was brought on up front and had an immediate impact. Having beaten his man, Larmett continued to the by-line and played a superb ball into Cooke. His strike was on target and only a brilliant save from the Preston keeper kept the scores level.
In the second half The Old Boys maintained the pressure on Preston. A solid defensive base and excellent midfield play allowed Bury to dominate, creating many openings for the tireless frontmen. Mid-way through the half a right wing cross was swept towards goal by Larmett, with only the post keeping the game scoreless.
As the game progressed it seemed that a winning goal would not come Bury’s way. Aitken was moved upfront as different options were tried, in the search for the elusive winner. As a final switch, Berry was moved from midfield to attack and Foster pushed into the middle.
Finally with ten minutes remaining, The Old Boys got their reward. Good play from Spencer, Hillary and Cooke played Hodbod into a crossing position; his ball in was met first time by Andy Foster from the top of the D. Although the keeper saved the initial effort, Berry was on hand to claim the crucial goal.
This was another good performance from the Old Boys, who will look to take this form into next week’s clash with Timperley at Goshen.
Match day Squad: Smith, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Stoneman, Aitken, Foster, Hillary, Spencer, Hodbod, Ainscow, Cooke, Gwinnutt, Larmett, Berry
The Old Boys continued their good form in 2006 with a determined performance against Preston, on Saturday. A late goal from James Berry sealed the close win, although Bury could, and should, have had more goals.
The Old Boys had the ball in the net after just five minutes, when Matt Cooke followed up Aitken’s shot. The goal was ruled out however, as the ball had not left the circle from the earlier short corner.
The first thirty minutes saw both teams playing attacking hockey, but Bury were creating the best chances, on numerous occasions moves were simply lacking the final touch. With half an hour played however, James Larmett was brought on up front and had an immediate impact. Having beaten his man, Larmett continued to the by-line and played a superb ball into Cooke. His strike was on target and only a brilliant save from the Preston keeper kept the scores level.
In the second half The Old Boys maintained the pressure on Preston. A solid defensive base and excellent midfield play allowed Bury to dominate, creating many openings for the tireless frontmen. Mid-way through the half a right wing cross was swept towards goal by Larmett, with only the post keeping the game scoreless.
As the game progressed it seemed that a winning goal would not come Bury’s way. Aitken was moved upfront as different options were tried, in the search for the elusive winner. As a final switch, Berry was moved from midfield to attack and Foster pushed into the middle.
Finally with ten minutes remaining, The Old Boys got their reward. Good play from Spencer, Hillary and Cooke played Hodbod into a crossing position; his ball in was met first time by Andy Foster from the top of the D. Although the keeper saved the initial effort, Berry was on hand to claim the crucial goal.
This was another good performance from the Old Boys, who will look to take this form into next week’s clash with Timperley at Goshen.
Match day Squad: Smith, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Stoneman, Aitken, Foster, Hillary, Spencer, Hodbod, Ainscow, Cooke, Gwinnutt, Larmett, Berry
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Points Shared in Derby Clash
Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s 3-3 Bolton Men's 6s
The Old Boys came away with a creditable point in this derby encounter, but knew that they should really have taken all three.
The match started with sustained pressure from Bolton, as The Old Boys struggled to exert their attacking influence on the game. However, despite having the best of the possession in the opening twenty minutes, Bolton failed to test keeper Neil Smith once.
As Bury began to establish themselves, the Bolton defence was put under increasing pressure. The warning signs were present when The Old Boys had the ball in the net; only for the goal to be wiped out due to a foul that occurred after the ball had crossed the line.
Soon after, Bury did take the lead. Tariq Sheikh won the ball deep in the Bolton half, and played Ainscow into a good position. His fierce cross flew towards the back of the D, where Matt Cooke was on hand to grab his second goal in two games. The Old Boys continued to press but could not add to their lead before half time.
Bolton started the second half well and quickly scored an equaliser. However Bury responded well, and continued to push forward. Their efforts were rewarded when David Hodbod finished a short corner at the near post, following Aitken’s shot.
The Old Boys began to produce some excellent hockey and further increased their lead when Hodbod got his second. A ball in from the right was deftly touched round the advancing Bolton keeper, giving Bury a two-goal cushion.
Bolton now pushed more men up field in search of goals and with fifteen minutes left they claimed their second goal to reduce the deficit. Finally, with only five minutes remaining Bolton secured a draw, when the ball was deflected past Smith from only a yard out.
Match day Squad: Smith, Stoneman, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Foster, Spencer, Hillary, Hodbod, Ainscow, Cooke, Shori, Gwinnutt, Aitken
The Old Boys came away with a creditable point in this derby encounter, but knew that they should really have taken all three.
The match started with sustained pressure from Bolton, as The Old Boys struggled to exert their attacking influence on the game. However, despite having the best of the possession in the opening twenty minutes, Bolton failed to test keeper Neil Smith once.
As Bury began to establish themselves, the Bolton defence was put under increasing pressure. The warning signs were present when The Old Boys had the ball in the net; only for the goal to be wiped out due to a foul that occurred after the ball had crossed the line.
Soon after, Bury did take the lead. Tariq Sheikh won the ball deep in the Bolton half, and played Ainscow into a good position. His fierce cross flew towards the back of the D, where Matt Cooke was on hand to grab his second goal in two games. The Old Boys continued to press but could not add to their lead before half time.
Bolton started the second half well and quickly scored an equaliser. However Bury responded well, and continued to push forward. Their efforts were rewarded when David Hodbod finished a short corner at the near post, following Aitken’s shot.
The Old Boys began to produce some excellent hockey and further increased their lead when Hodbod got his second. A ball in from the right was deftly touched round the advancing Bolton keeper, giving Bury a two-goal cushion.
Bolton now pushed more men up field in search of goals and with fifteen minutes left they claimed their second goal to reduce the deficit. Finally, with only five minutes remaining Bolton secured a draw, when the ball was deflected past Smith from only a yard out.
Match day Squad: Smith, Stoneman, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Foster, Spencer, Hillary, Hodbod, Ainscow, Cooke, Shori, Gwinnutt, Aitken
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Old Boys Edge Tight Game
Brooklands MU Men's 7s 1-2 Bury Grammar School Old Boys Men's 1s
The Old Boys returned from the Christmas break in positive mood, boosted by the agreement of a new sponsorship deal with Carcraft. However, several late withdrawals saw Bury having to take on third placed Brooklands, with only eleven men.
The Old Boys were undaunted, and started the match with a new look formation, which saw Will Aitken play as a sweeper and allowed Matt Cooke to be pushed further forward. Both moves were to prove telling.
The game started with end-to-end action, with both sides pouring forward whenever they could. Bury’s attacking threat was added to by the willingness of both full-backs, Tariq Sheikh and Andy Foster, to support the attack whenever possible. Whilst both sides pressed, neither created a shot on target until midway through the first half.
Quick play from The Old Boys saw the ball moved swiftly from back to front. Joe Ainscow received the ball, and played an incisive pass through to fellow forward Matt Cooke. As the ball bounced awkwardly, Cooke applied an instinctive first time finish past the advancing keeper, to give Bury the lead. The Old Boys then exerted considerable pressure on the Brooklands defence, but were unable to add to their lead, despite some excellent play from the Bury midfield of Hodbod, Berry, Spencer and Hillary.
As half time approached Brooklands had a series of short corners. However, excellent defending from Sameer Sheikh and Andrew Foster, coupled with two outstanding saves from Neil Smith, meant that Bury went in at halftime with their lead intact.
The second half again saw both teams attacking at every opportunity. Whilst the Bury defence stood firm, marshalled superbly by Aitken, the attack began to create more openings. The Old Boys deservedly moved further in front fifteen minutes into the second half, following some excellent play from Cooke. His neat turn and measured pass gave Ainscow a clear sight of goal. The forward powered the ball home to claim his fourth of the season.
Shortly afterwards Cooke had the ball in the net again, but his effort was ruled out following a seemingly innocuous foul. The lack of substitutes forced the Old Boys onto the back foot, as Brooklands threw more men forward. Eventually their pressure told as, with ten minutes remaining, they grabbed a goal following a scramble in the circle. More pressure followed but The Old Boys held firm to take a hard fought three points, and start the second half of the season on a positive note.
Match Day Squad: Smith, Aitken, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Foster, Hillary, Spencer, Berry, Hodbod, Ainscow, Cooke
The Old Boys returned from the Christmas break in positive mood, boosted by the agreement of a new sponsorship deal with Carcraft. However, several late withdrawals saw Bury having to take on third placed Brooklands, with only eleven men.
The Old Boys were undaunted, and started the match with a new look formation, which saw Will Aitken play as a sweeper and allowed Matt Cooke to be pushed further forward. Both moves were to prove telling.
The game started with end-to-end action, with both sides pouring forward whenever they could. Bury’s attacking threat was added to by the willingness of both full-backs, Tariq Sheikh and Andy Foster, to support the attack whenever possible. Whilst both sides pressed, neither created a shot on target until midway through the first half.
Quick play from The Old Boys saw the ball moved swiftly from back to front. Joe Ainscow received the ball, and played an incisive pass through to fellow forward Matt Cooke. As the ball bounced awkwardly, Cooke applied an instinctive first time finish past the advancing keeper, to give Bury the lead. The Old Boys then exerted considerable pressure on the Brooklands defence, but were unable to add to their lead, despite some excellent play from the Bury midfield of Hodbod, Berry, Spencer and Hillary.
As half time approached Brooklands had a series of short corners. However, excellent defending from Sameer Sheikh and Andrew Foster, coupled with two outstanding saves from Neil Smith, meant that Bury went in at halftime with their lead intact.
The second half again saw both teams attacking at every opportunity. Whilst the Bury defence stood firm, marshalled superbly by Aitken, the attack began to create more openings. The Old Boys deservedly moved further in front fifteen minutes into the second half, following some excellent play from Cooke. His neat turn and measured pass gave Ainscow a clear sight of goal. The forward powered the ball home to claim his fourth of the season.
Shortly afterwards Cooke had the ball in the net again, but his effort was ruled out following a seemingly innocuous foul. The lack of substitutes forced the Old Boys onto the back foot, as Brooklands threw more men forward. Eventually their pressure told as, with ten minutes remaining, they grabbed a goal following a scramble in the circle. More pressure followed but The Old Boys held firm to take a hard fought three points, and start the second half of the season on a positive note.
Match Day Squad: Smith, Aitken, T. Sheikh, S. Sheikh, Foster, Hillary, Spencer, Berry, Hodbod, Ainscow, Cooke
