Blues bury Bury

Bury Town 0-2 Grays Athletic
Report from The Mariner

Grays extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches on Saturday and in the process consigned Bury to relegation but it was not a game that will live long in the memory.For the Blues winning ugly would be the kindest description of this encounter and the two late Grays goals were indicative of what had gone before,conditions however were far from easy with a swirling wind and uneven playing surface making it difficult for both sides.

The visitors kicked off playing against a stiff breeze and quickly utilised the pace and guile of Correy Davidson who together with Jey Siva were finding plenty of space on the left flank but it was Lampshire for Bury who had the first shooting opportunity but he failed to trouble Lamar Johnson blazing over when well placed.

Once again James Stevens was proving influential with his incisive long range passing looking to stretch and turn the Bury defence Louis Morrison Derbyshire was making some good runs down the right flank but the end product often fell to a Bury defender leaving space behind him which the home side tried to exploit.

Much of Bury's forward momentum was as a direct result of careless play by Grays ,Jordan Wilson was disposed allowing Garrett a run on goal and shot which fortunately sailed wide.Parry should have done better when heading off for a Bury corner which when taken flew harmlessly over.

Grays were looking the more dangerous going forward,Harry Agombar played a delightful ball into the ever willing Davidson who's shot on the run was turned round the post by Archer for a corner taken by Siva he found Sean Cronin who tried with a snap shot just wide of the post

Another Grays corner again found Cronin his mishit effort was blocked rolling out to Nathan Ferguson he also miss hit the ball finding Cronin again who chipped just over the Bury goal.

At the other end a Bury cross tested Johnson who just managed to palm the ball way on to the back of Lampshire gratefully claiming the rebound.

The one bright spot of the half came from GB Dumaka fully 30 yards from goal he quickly brought the ball under control and unleashed a screaming volley beating Archer In the home goal but not the crossbar cannoning against it and away to safety.This seemed to lift Grays,moments later tormentor in chief Davidson won the ball under pressure running on and firing in a shot which Archer did well to push away.

Bury were still a threat at corners as illustrated byGarret,receiving the ball on the edge of the area his drive beating Johnson and flying inches over his effort bringing to and end the first 45 minutes.

HT 0-0

The Blues started the second period brightly with barely a minute played Dumaka broke free of his markers running in on goal he rushed his shot seeing the ball fly high and over much to the home sides relief,moments later a Siva free took a deflection which could have gone anywhere but fortunately for Bury fell into the keepers arms.

Derbyshire made way for the returning Bradley Fortnum-Tomlinson with Jordan Wilson dropping to full back as manager Bentley reshuffled the pack hoping Tomlinson's pace would unsettle the home side.

Bury very nearly grabbed the opener when Siva was guilty of hesitation near the halfway line allowing Aitkens a clear run on goal Johnson quickly narrowed the angle but could only watch as Aitkens cleverly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper seeing it dropping agonisingly over the bar.

Kenny Beaney replaced Agonbar his job seemingly done on 62 minutes and he made an immediate impact adding some forward momentum to the visitors play.Davidson still causing problems was unlucky chipping the ball just over.

Bury then had a period testing the Blues rearguard as Grays began to get carless in possession ,Cronin and Parry worked in tandem to nullify the threat although Aitkens for Bury was looking dangerous.

Gradually Blues regained the ascendency pushing Bury back ,Tomlinson was looking dangerous with his intelligent running,Quincy Marfo entered the fray for Stevens as manager Bentley sensed the extra pace would eventually provide the opportunity to open up the home rearguard and on 84 minutes came the break through .Dumaka cleverly lobbed the ball over a static Bury back line Davidsons attempted volley cannoned into the ground but found Dumaka who prodded the ball home.Unfortunately he then picked up a booking after jumping into the Grays fans to celebrate the goal.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of the home side allowing Grays to dominate the closing minutes,Marfo looked threatening every time he got on the ball and he was the conduit for the Blues second goal.From a short corner he ran at the Bury back line hitting the ball on the run it took a deflection from a Bury man falling to Tomlinson who did well to turn and strike the ball into the far corner to seal the points for Grays.

Not a vintage performance from the Blues but nevertheless a vital three points against a spirited opposition which keeps them in the play off zone with seven games to play.Mark Bentley has had to juggle the pack in recent games with injury and suspensions disrupting the squad and with three games in five days his fledgling management skills is certainly being put to the test.

Blues go again on Monday at home against Champions elect Maidstone United followed by another home game against fellow play off contenders Wingate and Finchley on Wednesday.Both games will present a tough challenge to Bentley's young charges but the momentum built up over the past few weeks will give them the confidence to rise to this challenge.

Grays Athletic: ohnson Morrison-Derbyshire Siva Cronin Parry Stevens Wilson Ferguson Dumaka Agombar Davidson
Subs:Beaney Akanbi Marfo Bentley Fortnam-Tomlinson

Bury Town:Archer Allen Paterson Miller Hall Kennedy Aitkens Short Lampshire Garrett Otobo
Subs:Nurse Patrick Weavers

To watch match goals go tohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjvPZIAnaZ0&feature=youtu.be
with thanks to Kevin James for the video