Saturday, November 21, 2009
A Titantic Clash
BGSOB 1-1 Blackpool
C. Lowe
The two teams with 100 per cent records in division nine met each other on Saturday and produced an epic encounter. Bury were missing top scorer Luke Fiddler as well as a host of other players, meaning they could only field two subs.
Both sides were looking to attack from the off, with good approach play but chances, for the first fifteen minutes, were at a premium. A Blackpool short corner passed harmlessly with a shot that was over backboard height, and the Bury defence stifled the visitors whenever they reached the circle. This changed however when Blackpool brought on Steven Whitley, who demonstrated all his first team experience to influence the play.
Blackpool now created four chances in quick succession, but keeper Heaton demonstrated why he hasn't conceded in open play this season. Bury gave as good as they got and Chris Lowe came very close to giving the home side the lead shortly before half time. Added to narrow misses from Cooke and numerous balls flashed across the D, the nil nil half time scoreline was probably fair.
The second half saw Bury take the initiative, with good passing movements that stretched the Blackpool defence. Eventually, Bury got their reward as a well worked move saw Matthews draw the keeper and slip the ball to Chris Lowe, who's intelligent run had left him free at the far post. A simple finish saw the home side take the advantage. Blackpool tried to hit back, again with Whitley the focus of their play. However Heaton remained largely untroubled as the defence held firm despite severe pressure.
Berry, Stoneman, McManus, Foster, Hillary, Matthews and Ainscow provided midfield cover as the back three of Lowe, and Tariq and Sameer Sheikh all helped to repel attacks before shots could find their way goalwards. Eventually, Whitley found himself one on one with Sameer Sheikh in the D. As the Blackpool striker went over, a flick was awarded. Even this though was nearly saved by Heaton, as he got a blocker to the shot but cruelly saw the back spin take the ball over the line.
Blackpool pushed for the winner and Foster had to bravely block a short corner, before Bury had the ball in the net from a short corner at full time, only for the whistle to have gone for a stick tackle during the first stage of the corner.
All in all a good game, featuring some excellent hockey, although Bury may be slightly happier given the stretched nature of their squad.
C. Lowe
The two teams with 100 per cent records in division nine met each other on Saturday and produced an epic encounter. Bury were missing top scorer Luke Fiddler as well as a host of other players, meaning they could only field two subs.
Both sides were looking to attack from the off, with good approach play but chances, for the first fifteen minutes, were at a premium. A Blackpool short corner passed harmlessly with a shot that was over backboard height, and the Bury defence stifled the visitors whenever they reached the circle. This changed however when Blackpool brought on Steven Whitley, who demonstrated all his first team experience to influence the play.
Blackpool now created four chances in quick succession, but keeper Heaton demonstrated why he hasn't conceded in open play this season. Bury gave as good as they got and Chris Lowe came very close to giving the home side the lead shortly before half time. Added to narrow misses from Cooke and numerous balls flashed across the D, the nil nil half time scoreline was probably fair.
The second half saw Bury take the initiative, with good passing movements that stretched the Blackpool defence. Eventually, Bury got their reward as a well worked move saw Matthews draw the keeper and slip the ball to Chris Lowe, who's intelligent run had left him free at the far post. A simple finish saw the home side take the advantage. Blackpool tried to hit back, again with Whitley the focus of their play. However Heaton remained largely untroubled as the defence held firm despite severe pressure.
Berry, Stoneman, McManus, Foster, Hillary, Matthews and Ainscow provided midfield cover as the back three of Lowe, and Tariq and Sameer Sheikh all helped to repel attacks before shots could find their way goalwards. Eventually, Whitley found himself one on one with Sameer Sheikh in the D. As the Blackpool striker went over, a flick was awarded. Even this though was nearly saved by Heaton, as he got a blocker to the shot but cruelly saw the back spin take the ball over the line.
Blackpool pushed for the winner and Foster had to bravely block a short corner, before Bury had the ball in the net from a short corner at full time, only for the whistle to have gone for a stick tackle during the first stage of the corner.
All in all a good game, featuring some excellent hockey, although Bury may be slightly happier given the stretched nature of their squad.
