Bury IV 1, Felixstowe II 5 A SHORTAGE of players higher up the club provided an opportunity for some of Bury's younger stars to get their first taste of senior hockey.

Bury IV 1, Felixstowe II 5

A SHORTAGE of players higher up the club provided an opportunity for some of Bury's younger stars to get their first taste of senior hockey. This was the case for both Nick Soper and Sam Tew, while Ciarran Lundy lined up for only his second senior start. With Davies in goal once more, Bury lined up with Gibney, Hollins, Cooledge and Wise across the back, with Soper, Fellingham and Briggs taking the midfield whilst Fildes, Longfield and Lundy led the line.

Bury got into the game quickly and were soon stringing together some good passes. Fairly solid at the back, Bury were playing with a calm and confidence lacking for a number of weeks. Fildes and Soper were linking up really well and produced the first goal. A period of possession saw the team advance up the field, before the ball was spread left to the supporting Fildes. He in turn swept it forwards to Soper who was running in on goal and the youngster coolly redirected it inside the post.

Felixstowe are a good team and although a little deflated by the goal recovered quickly to put pressure on the home defence. An individual mistake at the back allowed the visitors to equalise, then soon after a combination of errors by a number of defenders allowed them to take the lead. By half-time they were 3:1 up.

With Cooledge having to depart early, Fellingham dropped into defence in his place, Wise moved to left-back, Tew came on at right-back, while Gibney moved up into central midfield alongside Fildes and Briggs. Soper was now playing high left.

The second half saw all of the home team working hard for each other and playing more excellent hockey.

Felixstowe pulled their key forward back into midfield, which proved to be a game-changer. With him pulling the strings they rediscovered some dynamism and towards the end of the match twice managed to wrong-foot the home defence and fire home.

Bury's next trip is to Lowestoft.