So near Yet So Far

In the 69th minute we were undone, just as Norm Ballard was preparing his list of penalty takers!

The game throughout was so even, so close. In the early exchanges Bury felt they had the better of the play; faster to the ball and with the ball, but created few chances within the D. B & B seemed to play with one man 'high'. He was their target and proved to be quite a handful as he turned up on either side of the field and then held the ball as other forwards positioned themselves.

Exactly half-way through the first half B & B opened the scoring after a succession of passes in Bury's D. We equalised 4 minutes later with the 'goal of the game', an absolute screamer from Tim Thompson high into the net.

A mistake in midfield led to the next goal, unfortunately at the wrong end, as our opponents worked the ball to the right then left to give their centre forward a clear shot. Soon after B & B earned themselves a short corner but Martin Mc Court in goal made a series of excellent saves, and eventually the ball was cleared.

At the other end Jerry Herod worked his magic and we too were awarded a short corner. Adrian Moulam put in a hit hard and low, and was rewarded with that satisfying crack as it hit the backboard! Half time 2-2.

The second half saw the game see-saw from end to end with no clear chances presenting themselves. There were spaces opening up but neither side was really taking control. And it seemed destined to be a draw, a repeat of the Harleston game back in November.

The final goal came from a long ball down the centre of the pitch which their 'high man' just managed to reach and deflect it enough to deceive the ' keeper. It seemed a cruel blow and left us no time to retrieve the situation.