|
Forever Bury’s cup adventure continued on Saturday morning when they took on the Preston Fans Team at Clitheroe FC’s ground.
Forever Bury and Preston hadn’t played each other for a couple of seasons, offers from Bury had been declined in the past by Preston, however a goal in the dying minutes against Hull at Goshen had set up the Semi-Final clash which neither side could back out of.
Preston manager Ste had arranged for the match to be played at Clitheroe FC, and despite Bury being drawn as the home side found themselves relegated to the away team dressing room and dug out when they arrived.
Bury and Preston are arguably the best teams on the IFA circuit, so this ‘Clash of the Titans’ was always going to be a tight affair, with a place in the Final up for grabs.
Forever Bury manager Mark Hothersall picked what he considered to be his best side on the day with the Bury line up as follows:
Chris Murray (GK), Stuart Evans (RB), Warren Stone (LB), Craig Davies (CB), Neil Saville (CB), Allan Waterhouse (LM), Tom Zabel (RM), Carl Newton (CM) (capt), Anthony Grinrod (CM), Gaz Reynolds (CM) and Graeme Tobin (ST).
Subs: John Raftery, Kev Hothersall, Jonathan Berry, Danny ‘Bob’ Baldwin, Nev Hardman, Mark Hothersall, Little Si and Ben.
The game started with Bury lining up in a 4-5-1 formation, with Graeme being the lone striker but with Ant pushing forward to help out up front where needed. As expected, the game started with both sides creating chances but neither side daring to push too many forward for fear of getting caught out at the back.
A near miss from Graeme after a good through ball by Ant and a long range effort that flashed just wide of the post by Carl were early chances for the Shakers supporters.
Preston then created a couple of chances of their own, some slicking passing and a threaded through ball brought a good save from Goalkeeper Chris Murray, who came rushing off his line to pounce on the ball at the feet of the Preston forward.
A good run and cross from Allan, who caused constant problems for Preston down the left hand side, was met well by Carl who fired a powerful shot just over the crossbar.
A harsh tackle by Wozza brought a Preston free kick, and although the set piece failed to cause the Bury defence any problems, it was the Lilywhites who took the lead moments later. Some good work down their right hand side and a whipped in ball from the right was met well at the near post and the ball nestled in the back of the Bury net for 1-0 to Preston.
With the wind in their sails, the following few minutes was dominated by a Preston side eager to double their lead and put the tie beyond the Bury fans.
The Shakers defence coped well with the pressure, and soon had the ball in the back of the net themselves. a freekick from the shakers was whipped in by Gaz towards the back post and the ball was headed back into the area. Carl met the ball with a powerful header that powered into the top corner of the net with the keeper rooted to the spot, however the Bury celebrations were cut short when they spotted the linesmans flag was raised to signal offside.
The first yellow card of the match was produced just before half time after a high tackle of Ant grounded the big Bury midfielder.
A free kick to Bury approximately 20 yards from goal was dealt with well by the Preston keeper and that proved to the be the last kick of the 1st half as the whistle went for half time.
Preston 1 Bury 0
Bury Manager Mark Hothersall rallied the troops at half time, and also made a couple of changes that he hoped would swing the game in Bury’s favour.
Wozza came off to be replaced by the manager and Ben, who had only recently made the step up from the B team, replaced midfield man Gaz. It was hoped this would add more pace up front and give the Preston defenders something else to think about. This also brought around a change in formation to the standard 4-4-2.
Some good early pressure by Bury caught Preston on the back foot, and just 4 minutes into the 2nd half Bury were level. A moment of magic from Graeme, who curled a 25 yard free kick into the top right hand corner of the goal, leaving the keeper stranded and the Bury players celebrating.
Just as Preston had done in the first half, Bury found some extra confidence after the goal and began to apply some extra pressure. Graeme found himself on the right side of the Preston defence, and with only the keeper to beat flashed a shot just wide from a tight angle.
A corner and a free kick to the Shakers in quick succession came to nothing, and a good ball through to Ben by Tom forced the Preston keeper into a low save.
A double substitution by Bury, Graeme and Allan came off to a deserved round of applause from their fellow Bury players and the supporters who’d made the journey and were replaced by Bez and Nev.
Making an immediate impact on the game, Bez turned his man just inside the box, and turned to face goal. In full motion, the Lilywhites defender tripped Bez, and seemed to everyone to be a blatant penalty. Everyone that is, except the referee and his assistants who were oblivious to the Bury appeals and waved for play to continue.
Another Bury free kick was fired straight at the keeper, and by this point both teams were aware that time was running out.
A ball whipped in from the Bury wing created panic in the Preston box. The ball was making it’s way to Bez who was ready to pull the trigger, and the Preston keeper came out to intercept. Before either of them could connect with the ball, the Preston defender stooped to head it back to his keeper – who wasn’t there as he’d come out to collect. The ball bobbled over the line to put the Shakers in the driving seat and take a 2-1 lead.
Minutes later and ever-dependable right back Stu, who had been impressive all game, was forced out of the game injured. Si was being readied for coming on but wasn’t quite ready, and with Bury not wanting to play with just 10 men in the position they were in, John Raftery made a brief appearance until Si was ready to come on.
With mere seconds left, another foul by one of the Preston defenders earnt him a lecture from the referee. Not happy with the decision of a free kick against him, he was booked for foul and abusive language – then continued and promptly got a second yellow for his troubles, and was sent to the stands.
There was still time for Preston to force some late pressure, and a second corner brought some last minute controversy. With plenty of added time given, the final whistle went – just as one of the Preston subs struck the ball. The ball went into the back of the net, and Preston had thought they had equalized, but their hearts were broken after being told the whistle had gone.
Preston, who had won 19 and drawn 1 during their 20 game season had suffered their first loss of the season.
Credit has to go to the Preston squad and management for being so gracious in defeat, and Steve (Preston Manager) has already said his lads will be supporting the Bury team in the final.
Bury will now face either Sheffield United or Hibernian (the semi-final between these two to be played on 16th June) and will be the Opening Ceremony at the forthcoming WorldNet competition on 13th, 14th and 15th July in Leeds. It means that Bury will be guaranteed medals, we’ve just got to make sure it’s winning medals and not runner up ones.
A big thank-you has to go to Clitheroe FC for letting us use the ground, the referees and his assistants, Preston for playing their part in such an entertaining and nailbiting game, Neil for taking photos and videos, Mike for sending us some of his photos, Paul for taking the match notes and everyone who came to support us.
Match Report by Ben Miles
Match notes by Paul Pfau
|
