Bostik North Felixstowe & Walton United 3 Bury Town 1 With the waiting and anticipation over, 567 supporters welcomed Felixstowe & Walton to their very first fixture in the Bostik North League at home to Bury Town under clear blue skies, writes Barry Grossmith.
The Seasiders, with four players making their competitive debuts, were fast out of the traps with two new boys contributing to the first goal, which came on five minutes.
A well played-through ball from Joe Bloomfield found Miles Powell, who crossed from wide right to allow Rhys Henry to convert for a perfect start.
Bury did begin to impose themselves for a while but things changed in the 33rd minute when Bury number 7, Tommy Robinson, was given a straight red card for a clash with Josh Kerridge outside the Felixstowe penalty area.
This was seen by many onlookers as perhaps a little harsh but it did ease the pressure on the home side.
The start to the second half was a no less lively an affair. With just four minutes gone, Powell doubled Felixstowe’s lead, netting from a Jordy Matthews pass.
Four minutes later, Felixstowe were in Bostik wonderland when they went three up following tricky footwork from Jack Ainsley, a perfect cross from Henry and a rare but very welcome goal from captain Rhys Barber, who was very impressive all day.
If any home fans thought it would be plain sailing through to the 90th minute, they were soon brought down to earth when Ryan Horne pulled a goal back for Bury from a free kick in the 64th minute.
And with 20 minutes remaining, Ainsley received his marching orders following a second yellow.
With ten men against ten men, Bury could easily have reduced the deficit immediately after the sending off but for a couple of cracking saves from Seasiders’ new goalkeeper Jack Spurling.
Bury host Romford next week while Felixstowe & Walton travel to Great Wakering Rovers, looking to clock up another three points in what would be a very good start to the season in this, the highest level of football the club has ever played at.
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