BURY TOWN v. IPSWICH WANDERERS

SUFFOLK PREMIER CUP QUARTER FINAL

TUESDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 2006

It was a wet, windy night but very mild for the time of year. Manager John Clarkson, fresh from his scouting trip to Brimsdown, named a familiar team but in an unfamiliar line up, taking many supporters by surprise. Leading scorer Rene Swann, although wearing the usual no.9 shirt, was operating down the right wing a la Danny Smy who was still injured, Neil Shade, back from suspension and restored to captain, slotted into the left wing role a la Ricky Martin who was on the bench and Terry Layton, most often seen on the bench, was given a central midfield position.

Bury were without new signing Darren Coe but this did not stop them mounting early attacks to put the visitor’s defence under pressure, until Dean Tournay-Godfrey made the most of a quick clearance from Jamie Stannard by outrunning the overstretched Bury defence, but saw his shot well saved by Calton. Bury were proving to be very lively up front and, on 5 mins, Paynter broke through the defence after Terry Layton had lost the ball 20 yds out and drew a fine save from Jamie Stannard, but the flag had already been raised for offside.

It was competitive, end to end stuff, with Lee Owen trying his luck and just shooting the wrong side of the upright and Parker doing the same at the other end. Then Neil Shade lifted his shot over the bar from a narrow angle when he should have crossed and Chaplin had the ball in the back of the net from close range, but was adjudged to be offside. Tatham then found a way through the Wanderers defence but Jamie Stannard made another fine save on his line.

Paynter was taking every opportunity to run at the Wanderers defence and he, Bugg and Chaplin looked as though they would score at any moment. Their speed and movement were testing the resolve of the back line to the limit and with midfield being drawn back to help out, only Dean Tournay-Godfrey was left up front, and he was well policed by Smith. Wanderers were reduced to clearing with a long ball, thus losing possession and having the Bury hoards come right back at them.

With half an hour gone, Mark Goldfinch fouled Chaplin 30 yds out but Bugg blazed the free kick over the bar and then the Bury forward earned a corner from a skirmish in the 6yd box. As the half drew to a close, Neil Shade squared to Terry Layton but his shot from distance was wide. Then Field curled a free kick round the wall from 30 yds and Jamie Stannard could only palm it round the post. From the corner Bullard headed powerfully over the bar.

Wanderers had weathered the Bury storm in magnificent style with only Rene Swann looking uncomfortable in his new position.

Bury Town 0 Ipswich Wanderers 0

The second half had Wanderers taking the initiative from the start, with Dean Tournay-Godfrey curling a free kick round the wall after Summerscales had hanballed 20yds out. Calton parried the ball which fell to Neil Shade but his shot from 8 yds was blazed high over the bar. Then the visitors made the breakthrough on 50 mins that the home side had been unable to do in the first 45. Alan Mills and Neil Shade combined down the left to earn a corner. Lee Owen sent the ball to the far post where there was a melee, from which Mark Goldfinch emerged, arms aloft, having powered the ball into the back of the net.

Parker pinched the ball from the clutches of Jamie Stannard at the near post as Bury mounted a response and from the long clearance Dean Tournay-Godfrey was unable to control the ball enough to get in a shot. Then Chaplin shot across the face of the goal with Tatham and Field inches away from contact but the young Bury side had obviously had the wind taken from their sails by Wanderers’ determined start to the half and the goal. Dean Tournay-Godfrey was now seeing more of the ball and was harassing the back line at every opportunity, but the game was not over just yet.

On 71 mins, Mark Goldfinch and Bamment tumbled together in the Wanderers area but the referee, Simon Long waved away vociferous appeals for a penalty and Bury continued to press forward. Wanderers were playing more thoughtful football, their passing was more accurate and less hurried, a result of quelling the onslaught of the first half.

Neil Shade set up Ricky Martin on 79 mins and the substitute's 20 yd run ended with a powerful shot that was saved at head height by Calton. The ball was cleared to the other end where Alan Mills’ clearance rebounded off Field and into the path of Paynter who found the corner of the net to level the score. This came after Jamie Stannard had done well, under pressure, to deal with a cross from Field at the far post.

Bury now regained their inspiration and started to batter the resolute Wanderers defence in which Mark Goldfinch was again outstanding. His partnership with Sean Bell has now matured into a formidable barrier against any attackers.

Lee Owen was booked, on 84 mins, for a foul on Jeal, who had to be stretchered off, and the game was looking destined for extra time. Then another long, wind assisted clearance landed at the feet of Fabio Botti and Ricky Martin on the edge of the Bury ‘D’, but it was the latter that was the first to control the ball, to take it round Calton and sidefoot home for the winning goal.

The remaining minutes were desperate, with Bury surging forward and Wanderers searching for the corner flag, but the referee’s final whistle brought relief to the travelling supporters and little consolation to the home side.

1 Jamie Stannard

2 Lee Smith

3 Sean Bell

4 Mark Goldfinch

5 Alan Mills

6 Terry Layton

7 Marc Lowe

8 Lee Owen (sub 85)

9 Rene Swann (sub 65)

10 Dean Tournay-Godfrey (sub 84)

11 Neil Shade

12 Fabio Botti (sub 84)

14 Simon Hyde (sub 85)

15 Ben Miller

16 Ricky Martin (sub 65)

17 Gary Bennett

Goals: Goldfinch, Martin

Bookings: Owen, Lowe