Bostik Division One North Bury Town 1 Maldon & Tiptree 2 This was a huge disappointment for Bury, beaten by the Essex side in front of 337 fans, their largest gate of the season at Ram Meadow, writes John Campany.
It proved to be a wretched first half that improved thereafter between two sides both missing senior players through injuries. Tevan Allen made his debut following his switch from AFC Sudbury but there was little to cheer home supporters.
Bury boss Ben Chenery summed up proceedings by saying” “It was a poor game of football. As a result of missing players and some carrying knocks we lacked high intensity. We suffered through poor defending and conceded two soft goals. Nobody took responsibility.”
With both sides evenly matched there was plenty of perspiration but little inspiration with defences in command.
It took 33 minutes for the game to gain momentum, when Darren Mills sent over a super cross resulting in a powerful header from Olly Hughes but visiting custodian Dominic Kurasik made a fine instinctive save tipping over.
The Jammers responded when Kieran Bailey struck a fierce shot narrowly over.
After the break Bury keeper Luis Tibbles made a comfortable save from Junior Ogedi–Uzokwe whilst Bury substitute Joe Yaxley beat two players before testing Kurasik.
Bury leading scorer Cemal Ramadan wasted a free kick from a good position and then sent a long range effort well over
The deadlock was broken in the 57th minute when Tibbles brought down Ogedi-Uzokwe who coolly slotted home the resultant penalty.
The visitors should have extended their lead when Ogedi–Uzokwe headed into the path of Bailey who shot wide and then Joe White made a great tackle to deny the same player.
This seemed to galvanize the home side and they drew level on 68 minutes. They won a corner and Ryan Jolland’s kick was attacked by Ricky Spriggs who powerfully headed home.
Bury’s star man Spriggs then headed fractionally over but the potential twin threat of Mills and Hughes hardly materialised against a resolute Jammers defence.
Kevin Horlock’s side stole the points on 77 minutes when a throw-in was allowed to penetrate defenders across the goal, enabling Kieran Bailey to strike from beyond the far post.
In injury time the visitors’ Dexter Peter was shown a straight red card.
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