| Big Jonny Still sprung a little surprise at the start of proceedings, dropping Sloma in favour of shifting Southam out to the left to accommodate Rains in the centre of the park. Strevs and Mooro continued up top, Ross Smith and Annie at centre half. The game started cagily, both sides feeling each out but even from the early stages it was clear that Bury and their travelling support would take a point. Indeed, the only strike of note was Scottie G volleying over from the edge of the box on the 15 minute mark. From there though, the boys sat off, affording Bury possession in our half and it was no real surprise when the visitors took the lead. The ball found its way to full-back Scott in the box who had time to light his cigar and smash it home. Scott however proceeded to finish like a proper full-back, screwing the ball into the turf but through the hands of Robbo, who should have done better but was probably expecting the ball to be smashed past him!! Daggers looked deflated as the goal went in, but reacted well, forcing pressure on the Bury goal as the away side, almost shocked that they had scored, sat so deep they were almost in Bury Road!! Strevs missed with a ridiculous attempt at an overhead volley and Glenda went close before the otherwise ineffectual Rains found the target with a quality header from Hukes cross. TV replays might suggest that Rains was about 5 yards off-side but who cares!! The half time whistle was welcome relief to the 30 man Bury bench as the Daggers were well in the ascendency as the half approached.
Bizarrely the second half produced little of note to talk about. Bury did what they set out to do, their only outlet being the hard working Bishop. Daggers had lots of the ball but Provett was only forced to make a save form the head of Mooro who was offside and had to stand up to the outstretched boot of Strevs late on. Indeed Bury could and should have won it at the end. Dagenham, having switched off and lost concentration at the end left Mangan (of Accy fame) unmarked 6 yards out. Somehow he crashed the ball against the bar with the goal at his mercy.
Upminster Daggers MOM: Sam Saunders |
Dag & Red: Roberts, Foster , Uddin, Smith, Griffiths, Huke, Southam, Rainford, Saunders, Moore, Strevens.
Subs Not Used: Thompson, Sloma, Taylor, Green, Cook.
Bury: Provett, Futcher, Challinor, Morgan, Parrish, Barry-Murphy, Baker (Buchanan 81), Scott, Woodthorpe, Hurst (Mangan 70), Bishop.
Subs Not Used: Haslam, Adams, Dean.
Booked: Hurst, Bishop, Baker.
Att: 1,597
Ref: Jarnail Singh (Middlesex).
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