Saturday, December 12, 2009
Five Star Performance Destroys Didsbury
BGSOB 5-0 Didsbury
Fidler (4)
Ainscow
The Old Boys went into the Christmas break on another high note as they eased past Didsbury, ensuring that they remain five points clear at the top of the table.
With both sides agreeing to start early, the Old Boys were frustrated to find that they had to wait until five minutes after the original start time to begin the game. Bury were then dumbfounded by the visitors decision to start with their captain on the bench. All in all, it is not surprising then that it took ten minutes for the Old Boys to settle into their fine passing rhythm.
With Hopwood switching to a central role, Bury began to take a strangle-hold on the game. Hopwood, Matthews, Hillary, Fidler and Cooke all linked well and were ably supported out wide by Foster and Berry, as well as Robinson and McManus later on. With Didsbury offering little forward threat the Old Boys were camped inside the Didsbury half for much of the first period. Several short corners were won, with the visiting keeper having to pull off a number of fine stops.
Half way through the half, Bury thought they had edged in front when McManus tapped in. However, the goal was then ruled out, as the ball had struck a foot on the way into the ‘D.’ No matter. Within a couple of minutes, The Old Boys had found the net again. A short corner was flicked by Hopwood resulting in another fine save, however there was little the keeper could do as Fidler pounced on the rebound and drilled the ball into the backboard.
With Didsbury looking disjointed, Bury looked to push on. Before half time they had doubled their lead as Ainscow grabbed his first of the season. A fine team move saw the ball find its way to Ainscow at the left hand side of the ‘D.’ With the keeper bearing down on him, the young striker expertly found the bottom corner with a cool finish. At half time, Bury were asked to finish the game off by captain Tariq Sheikh. The team listened to the request. As McManus slotted in at centre back and Foster returned to his regular position on the right, the home side came out strong in the second half. Special mention must go to Andy Foster who, having suffered with flu all week, was still able to put in his usual excellent performance.
Didsbury made more inroads to the home defence after the break, but were still unable to fully test Heaton. In the entire game Heaton stopped one short corner and had a single one-on-one challenge.
Luke Fidler grabbed the third Bury goal early in the second period. The ball was hammered into the ‘D’ and Fidler was in position to deflect the ball with a deft touch. A fortuitous ricochet off a Didsbury defender ensured the ball found the back of the net.
If that goal had a touch of luck about it, there was no doubting the excellence of the next two efforts. The game was sealed by two more Fidler strikes, taking his total to twenty for the season. Both were reverse stick efforts, one defying the laws of physics to squeeze through an impossibly small gap at the near post and the second finding the far bottom corner.
The Old Boys had come into this clash expecting a difficult game. With Stoneman suspended and Jonny Lowe injured, the Bury back line was stretched to its limit. Fine performances from Todd and later McManus ensured the good standard of previous games was maintained. The pace, passing, team work and work rate of the Bury team was simply too much for the visitors.
Fidler (4)
Ainscow
The Old Boys went into the Christmas break on another high note as they eased past Didsbury, ensuring that they remain five points clear at the top of the table.
With both sides agreeing to start early, the Old Boys were frustrated to find that they had to wait until five minutes after the original start time to begin the game. Bury were then dumbfounded by the visitors decision to start with their captain on the bench. All in all, it is not surprising then that it took ten minutes for the Old Boys to settle into their fine passing rhythm.
With Hopwood switching to a central role, Bury began to take a strangle-hold on the game. Hopwood, Matthews, Hillary, Fidler and Cooke all linked well and were ably supported out wide by Foster and Berry, as well as Robinson and McManus later on. With Didsbury offering little forward threat the Old Boys were camped inside the Didsbury half for much of the first period. Several short corners were won, with the visiting keeper having to pull off a number of fine stops.
Half way through the half, Bury thought they had edged in front when McManus tapped in. However, the goal was then ruled out, as the ball had struck a foot on the way into the ‘D.’ No matter. Within a couple of minutes, The Old Boys had found the net again. A short corner was flicked by Hopwood resulting in another fine save, however there was little the keeper could do as Fidler pounced on the rebound and drilled the ball into the backboard.
With Didsbury looking disjointed, Bury looked to push on. Before half time they had doubled their lead as Ainscow grabbed his first of the season. A fine team move saw the ball find its way to Ainscow at the left hand side of the ‘D.’ With the keeper bearing down on him, the young striker expertly found the bottom corner with a cool finish. At half time, Bury were asked to finish the game off by captain Tariq Sheikh. The team listened to the request. As McManus slotted in at centre back and Foster returned to his regular position on the right, the home side came out strong in the second half. Special mention must go to Andy Foster who, having suffered with flu all week, was still able to put in his usual excellent performance.
Didsbury made more inroads to the home defence after the break, but were still unable to fully test Heaton. In the entire game Heaton stopped one short corner and had a single one-on-one challenge.
Luke Fidler grabbed the third Bury goal early in the second period. The ball was hammered into the ‘D’ and Fidler was in position to deflect the ball with a deft touch. A fortuitous ricochet off a Didsbury defender ensured the ball found the back of the net.
If that goal had a touch of luck about it, there was no doubting the excellence of the next two efforts. The game was sealed by two more Fidler strikes, taking his total to twenty for the season. Both were reverse stick efforts, one defying the laws of physics to squeeze through an impossibly small gap at the near post and the second finding the far bottom corner.
The Old Boys had come into this clash expecting a difficult game. With Stoneman suspended and Jonny Lowe injured, the Bury back line was stretched to its limit. Fine performances from Todd and later McManus ensured the good standard of previous games was maintained. The pace, passing, team work and work rate of the Bury team was simply too much for the visitors.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Bury Go Five Points Clear
BGSOB 4-0 Formby
Matthews
Berry
Robinson
Fidler
The Old Boys moved five points clear at the top of division nine as they maintained their good form against Formby, whilst Leigh and Blackpool drew. The result was achieved without the suspended Chris Stoneman following his disputed red card against Leigh.
This was an intriguing game as Formby set out with a clear plan to defend deep and then try to hit Bury with their pace and movement. This led to a tight first half, with relatively few chances. Formby had two short corners, and Heaton was called on to kick two other through balls clear. Whilst the Old Boys created openings they didn’t really cause the visiting keeper too many problems.
Shortly before half time, Bury were awarded a short corner. Dave Matthews stepped up and again, for the second consecutive week, unleashed a blistering strike, which went in despite the best efforts of the defender on the line.
Bury were looking for improved passing and movement in the second half, and they duly delivered. Forcing the play, the home team were able to create more openings in the second period, as they began to use the wide players more effectively. It was one the wing backs who grabbed the second goal, as Berry found the far corner with a precise finish. Having been well found by Matthews, Berry made no mistake in sending the ball across the keeper into the bottom corner.
The Old Boys couldn’t relax however as Formby were still threatening, and demonstrated why they had scored in every game this season with their skilful midfield and forward play. Bury wrapped the points up with two late goals as the visitors pressed.
Firstly, Xander Robinson was on hand at the far post to score on his return to action. Good play down the right hand side saw the ball delivered into Fidler who unselfishly played the ball to Cooke and Robinson at the far post. It was Robinson who applied the finish, sweeping in from close range.
With seconds to go, Fidler maintained his record of scoring in every game with a neat finish past the keeper. Chris Lowe and Tariq Sheikh combined well down the right, resulting in a cheeky aerial, which was fired into the ‘D’ by Lowe. Fidler controlled the ball and calmly placed it past the keeper to seal the win.
Full credit to Formby, as this was probably not a four nil game. At least, however, it was played in superb spirit backed up by impressive umpiring form both officials. This moves Bury five points clear, with a home game against Didsbury remaining before the Christmas break.
Matthews
Berry
Robinson
Fidler
The Old Boys moved five points clear at the top of division nine as they maintained their good form against Formby, whilst Leigh and Blackpool drew. The result was achieved without the suspended Chris Stoneman following his disputed red card against Leigh.
This was an intriguing game as Formby set out with a clear plan to defend deep and then try to hit Bury with their pace and movement. This led to a tight first half, with relatively few chances. Formby had two short corners, and Heaton was called on to kick two other through balls clear. Whilst the Old Boys created openings they didn’t really cause the visiting keeper too many problems.
Shortly before half time, Bury were awarded a short corner. Dave Matthews stepped up and again, for the second consecutive week, unleashed a blistering strike, which went in despite the best efforts of the defender on the line.
Bury were looking for improved passing and movement in the second half, and they duly delivered. Forcing the play, the home team were able to create more openings in the second period, as they began to use the wide players more effectively. It was one the wing backs who grabbed the second goal, as Berry found the far corner with a precise finish. Having been well found by Matthews, Berry made no mistake in sending the ball across the keeper into the bottom corner.
The Old Boys couldn’t relax however as Formby were still threatening, and demonstrated why they had scored in every game this season with their skilful midfield and forward play. Bury wrapped the points up with two late goals as the visitors pressed.
Firstly, Xander Robinson was on hand at the far post to score on his return to action. Good play down the right hand side saw the ball delivered into Fidler who unselfishly played the ball to Cooke and Robinson at the far post. It was Robinson who applied the finish, sweeping in from close range.
With seconds to go, Fidler maintained his record of scoring in every game with a neat finish past the keeper. Chris Lowe and Tariq Sheikh combined well down the right, resulting in a cheeky aerial, which was fired into the ‘D’ by Lowe. Fidler controlled the ball and calmly placed it past the keeper to seal the win.
Full credit to Formby, as this was probably not a four nil game. At least, however, it was played in superb spirit backed up by impressive umpiring form both officials. This moves Bury five points clear, with a home game against Didsbury remaining before the Christmas break.
