Mansfield Fans 2 Forever Bury FC 6

John and chip both returned to the starting 11, though in form player manager Chris Murray was unavailable and did not travel with the squad of 11 players. Stu's car coped with the journey and he to started the game.

The game started at a frantic pace with bothsides enjoying pleanty of the ball in the opening few minutes. There were some very strong challanges being put in with Ant on the recieving end of several which were overlooked by the referee.

Bury looked the most likely to score in the first half and only a mixture of poor finishing and good goalkeeping denied them from opening the scoring as they began to dominate the game.

'Student Referees assessor' Jimmy went close with a volley, which was charged down and he then fired the rebound well over the bar. Ant had several efforts charged down while a 20 yard thunderbolt off the boot of Bez was tipped over.

At the other end FBFC Keeper Greg was a virtual spectator as Mansfield rarely got forward due mainly to the performance of the Bury Back four.

The deadlock was finally broken two minutes before half time. Mike disposessed a mansfield defender, beat another man and was about to score
when he was sinically tripped in the box. Ant Stepped up to convert the resulting Penalty and FBFC lead 1-0 at Half Time.

Bury started the second half where they finished the 1st, in control of the game. Ant doubled the lead five mins into the second half with a well curled shot from the edge of the box.

Mansfield were thrown a lifeline by some very 'interesting' refereeing descions and came back into the game in the 55th minute when the referee awarded a penalty against Mike.

The fact Mike had clearly won the ball with a great tackle and the fact no Mansfield Players appealed for the penalty and also admitted it was never a penalty, did not seem to bother the referee. Mike was booked for branding the desicion 'a joke' and for being kicked in the head! But this didnt end the contreversy.

After Greg had saved the inital penalty the referee ordered a retake. The eagle eyed official had obviously seen that some of the shoe lace on John Raff's boot was over the white line when the penalty was struck.

From the retake Mansfield scored the goal they seemed 'destined' to get and the 'game' was back on.

I believe someone mentioned that videos of the refs performance are being sold over the internet, the advertisment reading ' 110 % guatanteed non stop laughing or your money back'.

Further bookings were issued to Antz, who synically told Pete (Burys Center half)not to abuse the referee, though Pete firmly believes Ant deserved the booking for telling him to shut up, and Jimmy also saw yellow for dissent.

After a nervous few minutes when it seemed that one of several Bury players were at risk of being sent off in this FA cup Final, sorry fans friendly game, for what ever reason the ref could think of, went back to focusing on football.

Bury increased their lead when Bez's cross was met by Stu who slid the ball home.3-1.

Mike's quickly taken free kick from deep inside the bury half was flicked on by Jimmy and Bez ran through to slot the ball home for Bury's fourth midway through the second half.

Ant completed his hatrick minutes later when he headed Alans corner beyond the keeper and into the back of the net.5-1

Mansfield to their credit never gave up and continued to pose a threat. They doubled their tally when Mikes clearence fell straigh into the path of the Mansfiled striker who smashed a shot into the top corner after Bury failed to defend a cheaply conceded free kick.5-2

suprisingly there were no further Bury bookings and the game finsihed with a flurry of chances with Chip, Bez, Jimmy, Alan, Mike and Antz all going close to increasing Burys lead.

At the other end Pete cleared off the line after Bury failed to defend a Mansfield free kick which came back off the bar and Greg also made a couple of decent saves.

The scoring was rounded off when Mikes long ball forward went straight into the path of Bez who beat two players before sliding the ball past the advancing Mansfield Keeper.6-2

Match Facts

Team Sheet

Greg, John, Craig, Pete, Mike, Jimmy, Antz, Bez, Alan, Stu, Chip

Goals

Antz (3)
Bez (2)
Stu

Bookings

Mike
Antz
Jimmy

Sendings off

Suprisingly None!!!!

Man of the Match

THE REFEREE!!!!!!!!

Well done boys for a good win and thanks to the Mansfield lads for a good game!!

__________________
matches this season

41 games and counting...goals...5

up to 23/1/05

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