BURY TOWN 2 v. IPSWICH WANDERERS 0

RIDGEONS PREMIER LEAGUE

SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2006

Wanderers manager Jason Dozzell had returned from his short trip to Canada and slotted himself into the defence. The midfield was without Bradley Barber (injury) and Ricky Martin (father) so Paul Westren took up the central role. Wanderers enjoyed all the possession and territory for the first 6 mins, showing a lot of inventiveness in attack, with Keith Hetherington crowded out in the Bury area, having received a cross from Matthew Cunningham. In their first venture into the opposition area, Bury were awarded a penalty for a trip by Jason Dozzell on Tatum.

The play then continued with each side taking it in turns to put pressure on the other, Rene Swann having Wanderers best chance to equalise on 20 mins with a header over the bar from close range following Alan Mills’ cross from the left. Tatum was causing problems for Chris Tracey and Jason Dozzell every time he got the ball and it was Jamie Stannard who, having his best, and most active, game for some time, prevented Bury from increasing their lead.

On 30 mins, Tatum was clear through but the visitor’s ‘keeper managed to nick the ball off his feet as the Bury striker attempted to round him. The same player reached the byline on 36 mins and put a low cross across the face of goal which was missed by attackers and defenders alike but the Wanderers’ ‘keeper got a kick on the back of his head for his pains as he went down in the melee but he was able to continue after treatment.

The half ended with Rene Swann lobbing Barber but seeing his effort go just past the post after good work from Keith Hetherington down the right, and Bury dominating the final minutes with Miller hitting the top of the bar and Tatum bringing another fine save from Jamie Stannard.

Bury Town 1 Ipswich Wanderers 0

Rene Swann got the second half off to a promising start by warming Barber’s hands with a shot, following on from an attempted overhead kick that was only half cleared Alan Mills then shot into the side netting as he found space running into the area from the wing. Bury responded with a shot over the bar from Evans but Wanderers were soon back at the other end with Rene Swann just beaten to the ball on the edge of the area by Barber following a defensive mix-up. On 54 mins Bury doubled their goal tally with a shot from Harvey past an unsighted ‘keeper after slack defensive marking. Bury had won the game as Wanderers were fighting a rearguard action, Matthew Cunningham producing a timely header to deny Wood on 62 mins but the introduction of Dean Tournay-Godfrey and Lee Smith livened up the final period with both players having shots on target that kept Barber busy in the Bury goal and nearly produced a comeback for the visitors.

On 73, Dean Tournay-Godfrey was put through but the ball got caught up between his legs and, by the time he had untangled himself, he was off balance and being challenged by Barber. On 83 mins, Alan Mills put pressure on Barber when challenging for a long clearance and forced a corner off the Bury ‘keepers’ punch. A minute later Dean Tournay-Godfrey had double chance at the rebound off Lee Smith’s initial shot but was denied by desperate defending.

Then Matthew Cunningham, now locked in battle with his brother who had been brought on as substitute, cleared a shot from Skelly which looked goal-bound.

Bury won the game in a professional and determined manner and if they had their minds on their forthcoming Vase trip to Crook Town, it did not show. Wanderers had had to make several changes in midfield but still put up a creditable performance and with 13 games remaining, there are still plenty of points to be won.