Bury St Edmunds Vets 0, Chelmsford Vets 2 Bury changed tactics to counter Chelmsford's pacy and skilful attack, having lost heavily to the same opposition earlier in the season.

Bury St Edmunds Vets 0, Chelmsford Vets 2

Bury changed tactics to counter Chelmsford's pacy and skilful attack, having lost heavily to the same opposition earlier in the season.

A tough man-marking responsibility was placed on Sykes who responded admirably in a man-of-the-match display. During the first half Bury played well as a team, making the easy pass and supporting the player with the ball. Ballard and Moulam gained parity in midfield, and wingers Beaney and Goodchild kept the Chelmsford defence on the back foot.

Surridge worked the ball deep into the Chelmsford circle several times and forced short corners, one of which resulted in a powerful shot by Hazell being saved off the line; another in a flick from Beaney shaving the post. Chelmsford attacked skilfully down the left but Cooke and Blake covered both space and runners well, so few chances resulted. At half-time there was no score.

Unfortunately, Bury did not sustain the quality of their performance in the second half and were forced to defend for long periods. Only a superb left-handed save from keeper Dures and some inaccurate shots on goal by Chelmsford kept the score level. In attack, despite the sustained running by both wingers, Bury created few scoring opportunities. The team came to regret their lack of a specialist striker yet again this season as a fine dribble by Beaney came to nothing after the support player showed a lack of composure in front of goal.

Chelmsford kept up the pressure, varying the point of attack well, and with less than ten minutes to go, seized on a half-cleared ball to break the deadlock from short range. Soon afterwards a well worked Chelmsford short corner ended in superb first-time strike from an acute angle and the win was sealed.