Play Off Tonic will boost Ailing Bury - Bury Times, Fri, 28 July 1995:
BURY'S hopes of appearing in tomorrow's final of the Isle of Man Football Festival were comprehensively blown out of the Irish Sea on Wednesday afternoon when they suffered a 4-2 defeat in their second Group B match against Wrexham at the National Sports Centre, Douglas. Three goals conceded in the first 30 minutes meant it was always going to be an uphill battle for the Shakers who were forced to field an under-strength side due to a stomach bug that swept through the camp. Indeed, so depleted were their numbers that Bury officials had to ask (he referee if Tony Rigby, substituted at half-time, could reappear in the second half following injuries to lan Hughes and John Paskin. The Welshmen were well on top in the early stages and despite some fine saves from Gary Kelly, two goals from Steve Morris and a Kari Connolly effort virtually assured them of a place in the final against Stockport County within half-an-hour. A half-time reshuffle brought an improved display from the Shakers and on 75 minutes Michael Jackson deservedly pulled a goal back following a goalmouth scramble. Seven minutes later the deficit was further reduced when Mark Carter turned well to fire home. But. any thoughts Bury may have had of levelling the scores, were soon quashed when Kieron Durkan restored the Second Division club's two-goal lead just minutes later. In their opening game at Peel on Monday evening, the Shakers went down 1-0 to Third Division champions Carlisle United. In a lively opening period, new signing Nick Richardson. Phil Stant and Dave Lancaster all went close to scoring with the latter missing a glorious chance from a yard after good work by Stuart Bimson. Minutes later that miss proved all the more costly when a mix-up between Kelly and Chris Lucketti allowed Rory Delap in to slot home what proved to be the winning goal for the Cumbrians. Despite the defeat manager Mike Walsh was upbeat about his side's display against Carlisle: "With a bit more luck in front of goal we could have scored two or three and the one we conceded was a typical pre-season effort. Overall, though. I was delighted with our performance. if not the scoreline. "The Wrexham result was an example of what happens if you go into games unprepared - you get your backsides kicked. "I'm just grateful that it was a pre-season match and not in the league. But for Gary Kelly they would have scored more. "It was a far better display in the second half and we showed a good attitude so it's proved another worthwhile exercise." concluded the Shakers' chief.