Saturday, March 28, 2009
Really Inspired Northern Grit Ensures Runners-up Spot
Urmston V......1
BGSOB ...........2
Wright
Ainscow
The Old Boys cemented second place with a narrow victory over Urmston in the final game of the season on Saturday.
Missing top scorer Cooke, and midfielders McManus and Todd the Old Boys were able to give some younger players pitch time as they looked to see out the season in a positive fashion.
With Urmston attacking down the middle of the pitch using two very skilful central midfielders, Bury were able to exploit the wider areas early on as Berry and Foster continually found room on either flank.
However, despite all their good play the Old Boys were unable to find the net. Urmston were able to capitalise and launch more attacks of their own leading to a series of short corners, following the excellent dribbling skills of their number 45 . Heaton pulled off an excellent save, and the defence stood firm to deny Urmston an opening goal.
From one of these failed short corners, Bury mounted a stunning counter attack. Sheikh found Powers with a quick ball, just inside the Urmston half. Powers, showing superb awareness touched the ball onto Matthews as the Old Boys created a three on two situation. Matthews’s ball into the ‘D’ eventually found Wright at the far post, who rolled in a composed finish.
The start of the second half saw some over-confidence from Bury as a slack ball from Sameer Sheikh presented Urmston with a chance. They couldn’t capitalise however as the resulting shot was blasted wide of the goal from close range.
Moments later though, the home team had found their equaliser with a well worked set piece.
This setback simply kick-started Bury who once again started to attack. Eventually the winning goal was provided by Ainscow, who fired home a reverse stick shot whilst under heavy pressure from a defender.
As tempers frayed and both teams had men carded, the Bury defence held firm to secure what should prove to be a promotion place.
Squad: Heaton, S. Sheikh, T. Sheikh, J. Lowe, Berry, Foster, Matthews, Wright, Hillary, Ainscow, Powers, McCracken, Robinson, Fernando.
BGSOB ...........2
Wright
Ainscow
The Old Boys cemented second place with a narrow victory over Urmston in the final game of the season on Saturday.
Missing top scorer Cooke, and midfielders McManus and Todd the Old Boys were able to give some younger players pitch time as they looked to see out the season in a positive fashion.
With Urmston attacking down the middle of the pitch using two very skilful central midfielders, Bury were able to exploit the wider areas early on as Berry and Foster continually found room on either flank.
However, despite all their good play the Old Boys were unable to find the net. Urmston were able to capitalise and launch more attacks of their own leading to a series of short corners, following the excellent dribbling skills of their number 45 . Heaton pulled off an excellent save, and the defence stood firm to deny Urmston an opening goal.
From one of these failed short corners, Bury mounted a stunning counter attack. Sheikh found Powers with a quick ball, just inside the Urmston half. Powers, showing superb awareness touched the ball onto Matthews as the Old Boys created a three on two situation. Matthews’s ball into the ‘D’ eventually found Wright at the far post, who rolled in a composed finish.
The start of the second half saw some over-confidence from Bury as a slack ball from Sameer Sheikh presented Urmston with a chance. They couldn’t capitalise however as the resulting shot was blasted wide of the goal from close range.
Moments later though, the home team had found their equaliser with a well worked set piece.
This setback simply kick-started Bury who once again started to attack. Eventually the winning goal was provided by Ainscow, who fired home a reverse stick shot whilst under heavy pressure from a defender.
As tempers frayed and both teams had men carded, the Bury defence held firm to secure what should prove to be a promotion place.
Squad: Heaton, S. Sheikh, T. Sheikh, J. Lowe, Berry, Foster, Matthews, Wright, Hillary, Ainscow, Powers, McCracken, Robinson, Fernando.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Old Boys Move a Point Closer
Keswick III 0-0 BGSOB
Bury sealed a hard fought point away to Keswick which virtually guarantees a second place finish for the Old Boys.
In truth Bury should have made more of their chances as they dominated possession but failed to follow up on last week’s eight goal haul against Prescot.
Keswick defended doggedly and were always a threat with their pace on the counter attack, but it was Bury who created the better opportunities, however they simply couldn’t find the net.
Matthews, Hillary and McManus once again provided the excellent midfield play which linked attack and defence, and strong games from Jonny Lowe and skipper Tariq Sheikh meant the Old Boys were rarely threatened.
Berry, Foster and Robinson were once again superb on the wings as Bury tried to force home their territorial dominance in the second half.
Ainscow,Powers and Baxter carried good attacking threat, however it was simply always going to be one of those days were Bury seemed destined not to find the net.
Squad: Heaton, J. Lowe, S. Sheikh, T. Sheikh, Foster, Robinson, McManus, Matthews, Hillary, Ainscow, Powers, Berry, Todd, Fernando, Baxter.
MOM: Berry
Bury sealed a hard fought point away to Keswick which virtually guarantees a second place finish for the Old Boys.
In truth Bury should have made more of their chances as they dominated possession but failed to follow up on last week’s eight goal haul against Prescot.
Keswick defended doggedly and were always a threat with their pace on the counter attack, but it was Bury who created the better opportunities, however they simply couldn’t find the net.
Matthews, Hillary and McManus once again provided the excellent midfield play which linked attack and defence, and strong games from Jonny Lowe and skipper Tariq Sheikh meant the Old Boys were rarely threatened.
Berry, Foster and Robinson were once again superb on the wings as Bury tried to force home their territorial dominance in the second half.
Ainscow,Powers and Baxter carried good attacking threat, however it was simply always going to be one of those days were Bury seemed destined not to find the net.
Squad: Heaton, J. Lowe, S. Sheikh, T. Sheikh, Foster, Robinson, McManus, Matthews, Hillary, Ainscow, Powers, Berry, Todd, Fernando, Baxter.
MOM: Berry
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Old Boys One Step Closer
Prescot III.......0
BGSOB..............8
Ainscow (3)
Robinson (2)
Daley (2)
Chandler
The Old Boys moved one step closer to promotion with a convincing 8-0 win agianst Prescot.
Bury produced possibly their best hockey of the season as they passsed, moved and finished clinically.
All eight goals were well worked team goals, with Joe Ainscow claimimg a personal hat-trick for the second time this season. Mike Daley also made a rare appearance, claiming another two goals and looking as if he'd never been away.
With Robinson and Foster providing excellent width and Hillary, McManus and Matthews linking play superbly through the midfield, Bury looked dangerous everytime they went forward.
As Xander Robinson claimed his second brace of the season and Nathan Chandler scoring a superb individual goal, Bury have now taken a substantial step towards the possibility of playing division nine hockey next season.
Credit must go to Prescot who fought valiantly, and worked until the end, in what was a game played in good spirit.
Squad: Heaton, S. Sheikh, T. Sheikh, Todd, J. Lowe, McManus, Hillary, Matthews, Foster, Robinson, Ainscow, Powers, Daley, Berry, Chandler, Fernando.
BGSOB..............8
Ainscow (3)
Robinson (2)
Daley (2)
Chandler
The Old Boys moved one step closer to promotion with a convincing 8-0 win agianst Prescot.
Bury produced possibly their best hockey of the season as they passsed, moved and finished clinically.
All eight goals were well worked team goals, with Joe Ainscow claimimg a personal hat-trick for the second time this season. Mike Daley also made a rare appearance, claiming another two goals and looking as if he'd never been away.
With Robinson and Foster providing excellent width and Hillary, McManus and Matthews linking play superbly through the midfield, Bury looked dangerous everytime they went forward.
As Xander Robinson claimed his second brace of the season and Nathan Chandler scoring a superb individual goal, Bury have now taken a substantial step towards the possibility of playing division nine hockey next season.
Credit must go to Prescot who fought valiantly, and worked until the end, in what was a game played in good spirit.
Squad: Heaton, S. Sheikh, T. Sheikh, Todd, J. Lowe, McManus, Hillary, Matthews, Foster, Robinson, Ainscow, Powers, Daley, Berry, Chandler, Fernando.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Derby Defeat For Bury
Bolton VI.......3
BGSOB.........0
Bury slipped up on Saturday as they lost three-nil to league leaders Bolton.
Without top scorers Cooke and Waywell, Bury applied themselves well and passed the ball fluently in the first half. With the Bolton attack being restricted to two penalty corner efforts, the Old Boys felt that they had the edge, despite not taking their own opportunities.
The industrious McManus and Hilary were breaking up Bolton attacks and providing Fiddler, Matthews and Ainscow with the ball in advanced areas. Bury should have taken the lead when Fiddler beat four players on the edge of the D however, as he was about to shoot, a crude challenge brought an end to his progress.
This was typical of the first half as Bury just lacked the finishing touch in front of goal. They were made to pay for this in the second half as Bolton found three goals. Each were well deflected efforts from long balls into the D, as Bolton found their touch in front of goal.
Despite a succession of penalty corners, and near misses Bury were unable to find the target, resulting in a rather one sided result for such an even match.
Squad: Heaton, T. Sheikh, Todd, S.Sheikh, Foster, Berry, McManus, Hillary, Fiddler, Matthews, Ainscow, J. Lowe, Powers, Fernando
BGSOB.........0
Bury slipped up on Saturday as they lost three-nil to league leaders Bolton.
Without top scorers Cooke and Waywell, Bury applied themselves well and passed the ball fluently in the first half. With the Bolton attack being restricted to two penalty corner efforts, the Old Boys felt that they had the edge, despite not taking their own opportunities.
The industrious McManus and Hilary were breaking up Bolton attacks and providing Fiddler, Matthews and Ainscow with the ball in advanced areas. Bury should have taken the lead when Fiddler beat four players on the edge of the D however, as he was about to shoot, a crude challenge brought an end to his progress.
This was typical of the first half as Bury just lacked the finishing touch in front of goal. They were made to pay for this in the second half as Bolton found three goals. Each were well deflected efforts from long balls into the D, as Bolton found their touch in front of goal.
Despite a succession of penalty corners, and near misses Bury were unable to find the target, resulting in a rather one sided result for such an even match.
Squad: Heaton, T. Sheikh, Todd, S.Sheikh, Foster, Berry, McManus, Hillary, Fiddler, Matthews, Ainscow, J. Lowe, Powers, Fernando
