Saturday, October 25, 2008
Old Boys Miss Out On Derby Points
BGSOB 0-2 Bolton VI
Bury lost their first game of the season on Saturday, as they were edged out by local rivals Bolton.
Bolton started the brighter of the two sides as they forced a short corner in the opening minutes following Sameer Sheikh’s misplaced pass. The corner came to nothing however, and The Old Boys began to play their way into the game.
The match was developing into an even encounter when Bolton gained a free hit in the Bury half. The hit was quickly taken and a Bolton forward was able to capitalise on some rare space, producing a sharp first time finish.
Going behind seemed to galvanise the home side, as The Old Boys took control of the final fifteen minutes of the half. Matthews smashed a short corner narrowly wide and Hillary had a fine drive saved low at the post.
Bury continued to use their possession well and shortly before the break Foster fired the ball across the face of goal but Berry, arriving at the far post, didn’t have the angle to find the net. At the other end Heaton had to be sharp as he produced two good sliding saves to deny the Bolton forwards.
The start of the second half followed a similar pattern, as Bury dominated possession. However, they were unable to convert their pressure into clear-cut chances, and paid the price as Bolton scored a second goal on the break.
As the home side tried to up the tempo, the passing became a little ragged and Bolton were able to exert more pressure on the Bury defence, leading to a flurry of late short corners, which the visitors were unable to convert.
Although Bolton fully deserved the points for their clinical finishing, The Old Boys are well aware that they could have taken something from this game had they created more clear-cut chances. This is something they will look to improve upon against Ormskirk next week.
Squad: Heaton, Todd, S. Sheikh, T. Sheikh, McManus, Foster, Robinson, Matthews, Wright, Hillary, Waywell, Berry, Chandler, C. Lowe, Cooke.
MOM: S. Sheikh
Bury lost their first game of the season on Saturday, as they were edged out by local rivals Bolton.
Bolton started the brighter of the two sides as they forced a short corner in the opening minutes following Sameer Sheikh’s misplaced pass. The corner came to nothing however, and The Old Boys began to play their way into the game.
The match was developing into an even encounter when Bolton gained a free hit in the Bury half. The hit was quickly taken and a Bolton forward was able to capitalise on some rare space, producing a sharp first time finish.
Going behind seemed to galvanise the home side, as The Old Boys took control of the final fifteen minutes of the half. Matthews smashed a short corner narrowly wide and Hillary had a fine drive saved low at the post.
Bury continued to use their possession well and shortly before the break Foster fired the ball across the face of goal but Berry, arriving at the far post, didn’t have the angle to find the net. At the other end Heaton had to be sharp as he produced two good sliding saves to deny the Bolton forwards.
The start of the second half followed a similar pattern, as Bury dominated possession. However, they were unable to convert their pressure into clear-cut chances, and paid the price as Bolton scored a second goal on the break.
As the home side tried to up the tempo, the passing became a little ragged and Bolton were able to exert more pressure on the Bury defence, leading to a flurry of late short corners, which the visitors were unable to convert.
Although Bolton fully deserved the points for their clinical finishing, The Old Boys are well aware that they could have taken something from this game had they created more clear-cut chances. This is something they will look to improve upon against Ormskirk next week.
Squad: Heaton, Todd, S. Sheikh, T. Sheikh, McManus, Foster, Robinson, Matthews, Wright, Hillary, Waywell, Berry, Chandler, C. Lowe, Cooke.
MOM: S. Sheikh
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Bury See Off Determined Keswick
BGSOB 1-0 Keswick West Cumbria 3s
Ainscow
The Old Boys secured a narrow victory on Saturday to maintain their excellent start to the season.
The first half saw the Old Boys apply all the pressure, as Keswick rarely threatened the home side. With Matthews proving yet again to be an influential creative force, Bury were able to create numerous chances, particularly from short corners. Eventually Joe Ainscow, making his first start of the season, managed to finish a set play and put The Old Boys in front.
Although Bury mounted further attacks towards the end of the half, a second goal was not forth coming, despite excellent supply from wingers Robinson and Foster.
The second half however, was a very different story. Although Waywell flashed a drive wide and Cooke’s movement was a constant threat to the defence, Keswick upped their tempo and looked to level the score. Excellent defensive work from McManus and Wright stopped most attacks in the midfield, however twice towards full time keeper Heaton was called on to produce excellent stops at the top of his ‘D.’ Backed up excellently by defenders Tariq Sheikh and Todd, the Bury keeper fully deserved his first clean sheet of the season.
The Old Boys, though happy at maintaining top spot, will know that they need to finish teams off more decisively if they are to continue their good form.
Squad: Heaton, T. Sheikh, Todd, S. Sheikh, McManus, Wright, Ainscow, Matthews, Robinson, Foster, Cooke, Waywell, Chandler, Fernando.
MOM: Heaton
Ainscow
The Old Boys secured a narrow victory on Saturday to maintain their excellent start to the season.
The first half saw the Old Boys apply all the pressure, as Keswick rarely threatened the home side. With Matthews proving yet again to be an influential creative force, Bury were able to create numerous chances, particularly from short corners. Eventually Joe Ainscow, making his first start of the season, managed to finish a set play and put The Old Boys in front.
Although Bury mounted further attacks towards the end of the half, a second goal was not forth coming, despite excellent supply from wingers Robinson and Foster.
The second half however, was a very different story. Although Waywell flashed a drive wide and Cooke’s movement was a constant threat to the defence, Keswick upped their tempo and looked to level the score. Excellent defensive work from McManus and Wright stopped most attacks in the midfield, however twice towards full time keeper Heaton was called on to produce excellent stops at the top of his ‘D.’ Backed up excellently by defenders Tariq Sheikh and Todd, the Bury keeper fully deserved his first clean sheet of the season.
The Old Boys, though happy at maintaining top spot, will know that they need to finish teams off more decisively if they are to continue their good form.
Squad: Heaton, T. Sheikh, Todd, S. Sheikh, McManus, Wright, Ainscow, Matthews, Robinson, Foster, Cooke, Waywell, Chandler, Fernando.
MOM: Heaton
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Daley Fires Bury to Top Spot
BGSOB 2-1 Preston VI
Daley (2)
With leading scorer Matt Cooke and fellow strikers Waywell and Ainscow also missing, The Old Boys attacking options were looking much thinner than usual on Saturday.
However Mike Daley, playing his final game for a while, produced a fine double strike to ensure Bury maintained their 100% start to the season.
Preston started the match brightly and in the opening fifteen minutes produced numerous attacks on the Bury ‘D.’ Dogged defending from the home side repelled most of the attacks, but eventually Preston took the lead.
A fine solo run to the base line was finished neatly at the near post to give the visitors the lead.
Bury were not disheartened though, and continued to battle back into the game. Towards the end of the half Foster looped the ball over the keeper and into the net, but the goal was ruled out following on infringement.
A rousing half time team talk ensured The Old Boys came out for the second half in positive fashion, looking for an equaliser.
With Bury now keeping Preston pinned back, the leveller wasn’t long in coming. From their second short corner of the half, the ball was delivered to Daley who produced a precise finish to square the game.
Following the equaliser both teams pushed for the winner and it was the home side who broke through. A hit out found Daley in space and a nice exchange of passes with Foster, played the Bury man into the ‘D.’ For the second time Daley produced a composed finish to seal the points for The Old Boys.
This was a tough, physical game which proved that The Old Boys can grind out a win against the odds.
Squad: Heaton, T. Sheikh, J. Lowe, S. Sheikh, Wright, McManus, Robinson, Foster, Matthews, Daley, Powers, Todd, Dowd, C. Lowe, Montrose.
MOM: Daley & Robinson
Daley (2)
With leading scorer Matt Cooke and fellow strikers Waywell and Ainscow also missing, The Old Boys attacking options were looking much thinner than usual on Saturday.
However Mike Daley, playing his final game for a while, produced a fine double strike to ensure Bury maintained their 100% start to the season.
Preston started the match brightly and in the opening fifteen minutes produced numerous attacks on the Bury ‘D.’ Dogged defending from the home side repelled most of the attacks, but eventually Preston took the lead.
A fine solo run to the base line was finished neatly at the near post to give the visitors the lead.
Bury were not disheartened though, and continued to battle back into the game. Towards the end of the half Foster looped the ball over the keeper and into the net, but the goal was ruled out following on infringement.
A rousing half time team talk ensured The Old Boys came out for the second half in positive fashion, looking for an equaliser.
With Bury now keeping Preston pinned back, the leveller wasn’t long in coming. From their second short corner of the half, the ball was delivered to Daley who produced a precise finish to square the game.
Following the equaliser both teams pushed for the winner and it was the home side who broke through. A hit out found Daley in space and a nice exchange of passes with Foster, played the Bury man into the ‘D.’ For the second time Daley produced a composed finish to seal the points for The Old Boys.
This was a tough, physical game which proved that The Old Boys can grind out a win against the odds.
Squad: Heaton, T. Sheikh, J. Lowe, S. Sheikh, Wright, McManus, Robinson, Foster, Matthews, Daley, Powers, Todd, Dowd, C. Lowe, Montrose.
MOM: Daley & Robinson
