It was always going to be a big ask for The Non-League Reds to go to Gigg Lane just two days after their FA Cup defeat in Bradford. Having said that, I think it’s going to be a big ask for most clubs to take anything away from Gigg Lane this season, as The Shakers try again to earn the promotion their set up requires.
The Reds clearly went with a game plan which showed good signs of working, only for them to be undone from a corner in the 12th minute, as Bury captain Wilson headed home unmarked. Bury had large periods of possession as The Reds sat in and soaked it up and largely restricted the home side to shots from the edge of the box.
The 2nd half started in a similar way, but AFC grew into the game as the half went on, having lots more possession but failing to test the home goalkeeper. Bavelock went closest with a long range effort, while at the other end, McGovern was called into action as Bury still threatened going forward. As the game drifted into injury time, Bury broke from midfield and as they got to the penalty area, Adam Sudworth was adjudged to have pushed the striker over and the ref pointed to the spot. Stepans converted to make the score 0-2. In reality it put a fairer reflection on the game but didn’t take anything away from a fantastic effort from the lads, who gave everything they could on the night.
Manager Phil Stafford said after the game, “Very proud of the lads tonight and the shift we put in. We came with a game plan and we’ve been done by a goal from a corner and a pen. We pushed on in the last 20 minutes and made it hard for them. I thought Matty Brown was outstanding tonight but all of the lads gave me everything, even the lads off the bench”.
Final Score - Bury 2 v 0 AFC Liverpool
Team - 1. McGovern 2. Brown 3. Fisher-Jones 4. Lancaster 5. Sudworth 6. Murphy 7. C. Jones. 8. Byron 9. Taylor 10. Giblin 11. Bavelock
Subs Used - Shearwood, Cunningham, Lightfoot, Smith, Flight.
(Pic courtesy of Dave Williams)
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