The Bury movers and Shakers came to Gigg Lane to commemorate promotion, but although they got the all-important win, the score line and result was not quite what they craved. It was just the one golden goal this time against the battling Imps in front of 4,248 fans and though the mathematicians may not agree, Shrewsbury look favourites to catch Wycombe, as opposed to the Shakers, even if a daunting trip to Chesterfield awaits on Monday.
For the Benefit of our Bury guests, first the teams & schemes, then the match report and finally those all important match facts and stats. Congrats by the way your ambition and attacking prowess has done League 2 proud.
Bury 4-4-2
Belford
Bennett Futcher Lees Skarz
Worrell Schumacher Sweeney Jones
Ajose Lowe
Substitutions Haworth on for Jones (66) John-Lewis on for Ajose (77) Harrop on for Lowe (90+1)
Substitutes: Andy Haworth, Lenell John-Lewis, Richie Branagan, Andrai Jones, Zach Rothwell, Luke McCarthy, Max Harrop
Imps 4-5-1
Parish
Hughton Green Hone Anderson
Howell O’Keefe Fuseini Kilby McCallum
Hutchinson (Y)
Substitutions Carayol on for O'Keefe (71) Broughton on for Kilbey (84) Spencer on for Hutchinson (85)
Substitutes: Joe Anyon, Mustapha Carayol, Drewe Broughton, Jamie Clapham, Scott Spencer, Patrick Kanyuka
But to the Game Footy Fans to the game........
Boundless joy as the Imps won the toss to kick off, perhaps a sign of things to come as the five attempted to strangle the Bury midfield engine. The Shakers movers were however the first to conjure, true to form, but homespun Hone, big and brave, blocked Ajose’s livener. Perhaps braver still Hutchinson, an enfant terrible at times, dared to clash with the huge ex Imp Ben Futcher. The ref had words of wisdom for both.
McCallum had our first effort on goal, a curling effort that Belford was equal to, but despite strength of numbers Fuseini dwells too long to actually make the pass. Bennett robbed him blind and fed the talented Ajose – one for anyone’s Christmas stocking – who curled a delicious effort wide. Both Green and Hone realised where the real danger appeared to be with Ryan Lowe requiring treatment after some unjust jousting. Schumacher’s subsequent free-kick deflected off the wall for a corner, which Mr Anderson cleared off the line.
Despite The Shakers urgency and supremacy, perhaps more speed and less haste; the Imps were playing some football at times. A Hughton overlap found long Tom Kilby, a giant of a man, who has the hammer shot of Thor himself. Belford palmed the ball to safety as at least 80% of the congregation brought back the pre match Balti pies. The match was becalmed as the five man phalanx got the better of the hosts to give Fuseini the chance to be playmaker. Howell was an inch from connecting with one of his passes whilst Hutchinson was ruled offside to close the half.
Both managers kept the faith although the Shakers came out like a maracas held by a Mexican full of beans. Futcher against Green at corners looked a contest set to end in tears. That said the Imps frustration tactics were getting to the home crowd who were inadvertently helping us to a point at times as they got at their own. Then again you can always guarantee that the Imps will shoot themselves in the foot defensively sooner or later. On 56, a corner surprise surprise saw Sweeney deliver to the head of Tom Lees who headed home to raise the roof.
The Imps however rallied as the game opened up. McCallum crossed to Howell who stubbed against the foot of the post at one end whilst Skarz scorched one over the bar at the other. Carayol came on to good effect, a foretaste of Monday perhaps, with O’Keefe hitting the showers. LJL came on for Ajose as Bury kept players back for the top two clash at the crooked church. Sweeney had history with us too and deserved a goal after drilling a 20 yarder inches over the bar.
Tilson gambled, aware a point could be ours for the taking sending on Trapdoor Scott Spencer for Kilby and Hutchinson. It was an almost instant busted flush as Carayol hobbled off leaving us with 10 men and a heartbreaking headache for Monday. Harrop on for Lowe had a lively 3 minutes in the spot light. His first effort saw him fire over from 20 yards whilst his second brought a solid save from Parish. It was backs to the wall stuff now as Hone put life and limb on the line to deny another rasping drive from Sweeney to the backdrop of the Shakers fans, shades on bathing in glory
Footnote.
A point for Northampton against high flying Rotherham ahead of our other rivals playing does not bode well. Then again we expected to lose this one gracefully keeping something in the tank for Monday. The Carayol injury has certainly robbed us of another option now and McCallum bleating about the pressures of the Bank on top of Hughton’s ‘mental state’ suggests we need to regroup and focus fast. Sky Sports will get some nervous glances today but lets get a grip shall we. Would we want Cheltenham at an IMPassionioned Sincil Bank or at their place to save our Lincolnshire Bacon? Or should that be Whitby scampi or Crevettes - now that fellow Imps is a proper prawn.
Bury 1-0 Lincoln (HT 0-0)
Scorer Lees 56
Att: 4,248 (218 Imps)
Ref: Kettle
Possession
Bury 58% Lincoln 42%
Shots on target
Bury 5 Lincoln 2
Shots off target
Bury 6 Lincoln 1
Saves
Bury 3 Lincoln 2
Corners
Bury 5 Lincoln 2
Offsides
Bury 2 Lincoln 5
Fouls
Bury 12 Lincoln 9
Yellow Cards
Bury 0 Lincoln 1