A good start to the game from both sides but it was Bury who had the better of the opening exchanges with one strike cannoning back off the bar from a close range header.

We took the lead through Tom Croughan who chased down a high ball from Tom Mitchell, TC went up with the keeper and with the ball being misjudged by the Bury cat, Tom come away with the ball, composed himself and slotted home.

Bury soon found themselves level as we switched off in the middle of the park, a quality through ball cutting us open and that was put away with a stunning finish.

We were starting to get a grip of the game, Sam Burns went close after driving past a few players, his shot skimming the outside of the goal and a few minutes later the lead was restored from a corner which followed an unbelievable tackle from Dan Lowey which he had no right to win in the middle of the park, Lowey winning the ball, then linked up for a one two with Elliot Hughes and his shot was saved well at the near post which resulted in the corner.

Sam Burns swung it to the back post, Fitzy knocked in back into the mixer and Elliot Hughes was on hand to poke it home 2-1.
The third goal seen some end to end action with the Buru winger going in one vs one on Theo, Theo stood tall and pulled off a stunning one-handed save, he then sent a long kick down the pitch and the Bury defenders header put in Jesse Dowling, his shot comeback of the foot of the post and Elliot Hughes was on hand to grab his second of the game.

Elliot Hughes near had his hat-trick just on the stroke of half-time after a jinking run seen him drive through two men and his shot just whistled past the upright.

HT 3-1 and a tremendous half from the lads.

A change of formation seen Bury have more attacking threat, but it’s also opened them up, and we had three or four great opportunities, with the best one seeing Sam Burns rounding the keeper and after composing himself he could only hit the man on the line with his shot.

Down the other end Bury was bringing the best out of Theo Roberts, and he was forced into two very good saves before a miscommunication between him and Frazer Cookson seen a scramble back towards the goal line from Cookson, but he managed to clear the lines.

What looked to be the killer goal came after some neat play in the middle of the park, Jordan Barrow then sent a ball out to Elliot Hughes who in turn gave it to skipper Connor Millington and with three men around him, he's done a strictly come dancing quickstep and slotted home into the bottom comer.

Bury as expected then went for it and set up a nerve finish with two late goals but we held on with some good game management, a Bury player seen red after losing his head late on and for me and for the sensible ones watching the game the better team certainly won on the day.

FT 4-3

Always a big occasion when Bury come to visit but for me, it’s another game we just want to win, no doubt lads raise their levels for games like that but yesterday wasn’t anything different from what I’ve seen from the group in the last 4/5 games, a tremendous effort from all the players.

A massive thanks to all in attendance, shocking weather before the game no doubt stopping the gate being bigger but 550+ down the Anny ain’t to be scoffed at, and of course we just thank Bury for bringing around 300 with them also.

I have to thank the club sec, staff and volunteers who stepped up yesterday to make it a successful day off the pitch also, some folks sacrificing watching the game to make sure all things ran smoothly for all.

Up next, it’s the rearranged Macron Cup tie away at FC St Helens on Tuesday night. We hope you can come join us.

We Go Again.

Up The Breck…