The Press association:
Bury's acting player-manager Andy Preece came to the rescue of his side when he scored a last minute equaliser to give the Shakers a point in their last home game of the season. ? In a dire first half with both sides struggled to control the ball on a rutted pitch, with the only movement of note leading to a goal for Reading's 22-goal top scorer Darren Caskey.? It was a lead they looked like keeping to the end because Bury were unable to make any impression on a solid Reading defence despite dominating possession. ? But Preece came on with 20 minutes to go to turn the game and give Bury the point, which on the balance of play they fully deserved.
Teamtalk:
A last minute strike by Andy Preece cancelled out Darren Caskey's first half strike to earn Bury a point in a 1-1 draw against Reading.? Bury had the better of the chances in the first half with Reading rarely threatening the Shakers defence.? Baichung Bhutia's header back across goal after a cross from the left was heading straight towards the unmarked Paul Barnes who had the goal at his mercy but the Royals defence managed to scramble the ball behind.? From the resulting corner Danny Swailes saw his header cleared off the line.? When the Reading goal game just before the break it was against the run of play.? Darren Caskey notched his 22nd goal of the season on 43 minutes when volleying home six yards out from goal after Forster picked him out with a header back across goal.? After the break Reading nearly increased their lead but Smith could only blaze his shot over the bar.? It seemed as though Reading were heading for all three points until Preece picked the ball up 30 yards out before firing past Whitehall.
The Pink:
SHAKERS player boss Andy Preece saved the day with an 89th minute equaliser for Bury. ? Readings Darren Caskey had threatened to be a party pooper when he put his side in the lead early in the first half.? But the Shakers set about giving their fans something to cheer as they piled on the pressure in the second half.? With youngsters offered free admission, the newly opened Cemetery End was nearly full and Bury player-boss Andy Preece had urged his side to produce a grandstand finish for the last home game of the season.? Preece shuffled his pack again, with Paul Barnes back from injury, and returns for Nick Daws, Baichung Bhutia and Danny Swailes.? Preece named himself sub and gave Nicky Hill his first Gigg Lane start.? Bury responded to Preeces call and after four minutes, a sweeping Daws pass found Adie Littlejohn in space on the left.? His superb 50-yard crossfield ball picked out Bhutia, and the little Indians header back across goal was bundled clear with Barnes ready to pounce.? Bury kept the heat on and Martyn Forrests cracking 25-yard drive was parried by keeper Phil Whitehead, with Bhutia inches away from reaching the rebound. ? Readings Sammy Igoe became the games first booking for failing to retreat ten yards from a Daws free kick.? Forrest, the best player on the pitch in the first half, came close to fastening the opening goal. His clever free kick picked out Daws in space in the area, only for the skippers control to let him down. ? The visitors took the lead on 41 minutes, when Matt Robinsons cross found Nicky Forster beyond the far post. He knocked the ball back across for DARREN CASKEY to thump home.? Bury battled hard to get back into the game in the second half and Barnes almost provided the equaliser.? Paddy Kennys huge clearance forced veteran defender Barry Hunter to head towards his own goal and when keeper Whitehead was forced to dive and knock the ball away, Barnes latched on to it only to hit the side netting.? Chris Swailes then missed a great opportunity after Bhutia produced a spectacular diving header to retrieve Daws free kick which was heading out of play beyond the far post. The ball fell at his feet of the big defender but he shot wide. ? Preece played his last card in a bid to get back the goal by bringing himself on as substitute for Barnes. It almost worked as his cross from the right hand side found fellow sub Kemajl Avdiu at the far post but he could only tamely volley into the keepers hands.? Moments later Avdiu found himself in a similar position and this time he beat the keeper only for the ball to rebound off the post.?
Sky Sports:
Caretaker manager Andy Preece did his chances of landing the Gigg Lane manager's job on a full-time basis no harm by grabbing a last minute equaliser.? Preece bagged his 12th league goal of the season in the dying seconds, spotting keeper Phil Whitehead off his line before flighting a delightful chip into the corner of the net.? Earlier, the Shakers had fallen behind to Darren Caskey's 22nd goal of the season for the Royals. The former Tottenham midfielder volleyed in from eight yards after Nicky Forster had headed across the face of the goal.?
Sports.Com Website:
An injury-time strike from Bury caretaker-manager Andy Preece could bring the goal of a permanent post. He levelled the scores with an audacious effort from 30 yards just when Darren Caskey 's first-half volley had looked sufficient to land all three points for Reading.? Preece had demanded a late season push from his players and Bury certainly made the brighter start but after threatening twice in the opening six minutes they ran out of ideas.? The flanks were the obvious route to goal for they at least were well grassed and when Adrian Littlejohn swung in an early cross to the far post, Baichung Bhutia tried to pick up Paul Barnes with a return cross but a superb defensive block from Adrian Williams ended the danger.? Midfielder Martyn Forrest, one of several younger players given an opportunity by Bury, fired in a 25 yarder and only a full-length dive and save by Phil Whitehead kept the ball out.? With both sides guaranteed Division Two football an end of term attitude crept into the game with little thought given to good football as the ball was ballooned back and forth.? There was no end product until the 42nd minute when Matthew Robinson launched a deep cross, Nick Forster nodded the ball back into the middle and Darren Caskey volleyed home a right-foot shot from eight yards. ? The goal prompted both sides to raise the tempo with Reading's penalty appeals turned down in the 53rd minute after Chris Swailes appeared to trip Forster.? Bury responded with Paul Barnes almost cashing in on Barry Hunter's weak back pass and tempers briefly flared when Barnes kicked Neil Smith from behind in an off-the-ball incident not spotted by the officials.? Indian national team skipper Baichung Bhutia snapped at a half chance and found the side netting before substitute Kemajl Avdiu spurned another chance with his low angled drive rebounding back into play off the near post.? With Reading content to drop men back to protect their lead it seemed Bury had shot their bolt. ? But with 90 minutes on the clock substitute Preece spotted Phil Whitehead off his line and a superbly judged chip shot dropped neatly into the empty net to sign off Bury's home programme in fine style.
Lancashire Evening Telegraph:
The Shakers end of season party at Gigg Lane never quite lived up to its billing, and Bury had to work hard on an afternoon which seemed destined to be one of those days when the ball won't go into the net. The visitors had taken a first half lead through Darren Caskey, and it took a last minute "goal of the season" from player manager Andy Preece to finally earn a point. But there is much to admire in this youthful Bury line up and man of the match Martyn Forrest showed how influential he is likely to be next term, despite the fact that the pitch at Gigg Lane is much overused and in very poor condition making quality football difficult. But Preeces' men have shown a spirit exemplified by the number of last minute goals scored in recent games, and the twenty five yard deft lob from the popular manager to level the score in the dying moments was just the tonic to spark an after match ovation for the young boss and his younger charges, from whom much will be expected next season.
Sports First on Sunday Newspaper:
Bury player manager Andy Preece grabbed a late leveller as Bury picked up a point from their final home league match of the season.? In a niggly, typically end of season encounter it looked as if the visitors would take all three points until the Bury Manager's intervention.? Both sides were struggling to create clear cut openings but the visitors broke the deadlock after 42 minutes.? Matthew Robinson sent in a left wing cross that was met by Noick Forster and his header fell nicely into the path of Darren Caskey who rifled home his 22nd goal of the season.? Desperate defending foiled Adrian Littlejohn after 53 minutes when he had a goal bound effort blocked. ? The introduction of leading scorer Preece earned the Shakers a point which was the least they deserved.? In the 90th minute he superbly lobbed Whitehead from 30 yards for his 12th goal of the season.
Bury Times:
A STREAKER, male in case anyone was curious, did his own lap of honour around the pitch at a near-deserted Gigg Lane following this final home match of the season. ? His bare assets were there for all to see - and in Bury FC's present parlous financial position, the streaker's performance was a rather apt way to round off the campaign at Gigg Lane.? Player-manager Andy Preece was the hero with a late, late goal that rescued a point and saved the Shakers from the last thing they wanted - defeat in their final home game of the season.? Preece struck with an audacious lob from fully 30 yards out after spotting Reading keeper Phil Whitehead way out of his goal.? It equalised Darren Caskey's 42nd minute strike - a smart close-range finish from Nicky Forster's knock-down.? The goal gave Preece twelve for the season and made him the club's top scorer. And the 33-year-old striker said afterwards: "It looked like the ball was never going to go in the net for us.? "It was one of those days. I saw the keeper off his line, so I just gave the ball a casual, little flick. I was delighted with it.? "It was one of those instinctive things you do that either come off or they don't. I was delighted it got us a point.? "There wasn't a lot of quality in the game and our pitch doesn't help. There was? entertainment, but without the quality.? "I thought we could have come out on top and won the game.? "There is still lots to play for. For instance, I am looking ahead to next season already and what combinations I will be able to use out on the field with the players available tome.? "From that point of view, the players have plenty to play for too."? Preece has become a big favourite with the Gigg Lane fans - and that showed when they stayed to applaud him and the team as they did a lap of honour around the ground.? But the former Stockport, Crystal Palace and Blackpool striker said: "Twelve months ago, if I had been leading the team out, I might have got a slightly different reaction from the fans, so I was delighted to get that reception at the end from them.? "It's great being able to go out and walk tall in front of the supporters. It is something we can take into next season."? On his future as manager, Preece added: "I have started talks with the chairman and, hopefully, over the next week or so, we can get it all sorted out. "This draw kept our unbeaten run going and, to finish the way we have, with all the injuries and departures, is a good achievement.? "I am pretty sure I will be here as manager next season, but now I have got as many goals as lan Lawson got for us before he went to Stockport, so the chairman knows I am not thinking about hanging my boots up as a player yet either!? "A few years ago I was scoring goals like that one today all the time at Stockport. I have had to change my game a bit because I am more of the target man now, whereas at County I was playing off the big fella, Kevin Francis."? A few more goals from Preecey would go down a treat as Bury look to finish off in style in the tough trips to Stoke tomorrow night and in Saturday's final game at Notts County.
Big Man's Royal's Site - An Official Reading Web Site:
Well, this was on of those meaningless end-of-season fixtures that really did end up like that.? Showing impeccable timing, Bury opened a new stand just before their last home game of the season. What they really need is a new pitch - the Gigg Lane surface, once one of the best in the land, now looks like a rutted country lane. And I hope that the Reading officials noticed it, because that is the price you pay for taking in homeless egg-chasers.? Watching the Reading players warm up (with the training session again led by Peter Grant), we noticed several youngsters. One had bleached hair - eventually we worked out that it was a new-look Darius Henderson, who again started the match. Nathan Tyson and Ricky Allaway were on the bench. Whitehead came in for Howie, and Hunter, Newman and Igoe returned to the starting line-up.? Early on, it looked as if all those changes had badly affected our game, as we struggled to make any impression, whilst Bury came close on a couple of occasions. The main fact about the first half, though, was that it was absolutely dire. Some of the most boring football on offer since the turn of the year. There was really only one moment of note and that was our well-worked goal just before half-time.? We had used the Neil Smith long throw tactic a lot of the time, so when he took a quick short one and passed to Matthew Robinson it took the defence by surprise. Robinson took the ball down the wing, put over a superb cross straight to Nicky Forster who headed the ball into the path of Darren Caskey. Caskey hit the ball just to the keeper's right, but the keeper dived to his left (!) and so it went in. It was quite similar to the second goal against Gillingham but not so spectacular.? We had far more of the game in the second half. Forster went on several direct runs. On one occasion he beat two men and was fouled in the area by the third but the referee gave a Bury throw. (He made up for that later when ignoring some shirt-pulling in the area at the other end.) ? Sammy Igoe and Neil Smith had chances to stretch the lead - Igoe managed only a very weak header when totally unmarked at the far post, and Smith blazed over with the goal seemingly at his mercy.? Primus replaced Hunter who had just gone down with an injury (although Primus was ready to come on anyway) and Nathan Tyson made his debut, replacing Henderson. This was definitely Henderson's best game for us - he held the ball up well most of the time and made some good short passes. Tyson didn't really get into the game but showed pace and one good touch in his few minutes.? Bury came into the game more and hit the post with a shot from a tight angle. Just when it looked as if we would hold out for the three points, the Bury caretaker-player-manager tried a hopeful punt from 35 yards out and caught Whitehead off his line. Although he scrambled back, the ball dropped just under the bar and into the net. Whitehead had had little to do all game, and you have to say that Howie would probably have had the agility to get back and stop this one.? The game ended in a draw which means that there is only one team who failed to get any points from us this season. Step forward, Ian Holloway and Bristol Rovers, and take a bow.
The Star:
ROOKIE boss Andy Preece saved the day for Bury - and then got a huge vote of confidence from his bosses. The veteran striker's 89th minute leveller cancelled out Darren Caskey's opener. . Preece has built a young-side at Gigg Lane and chairman Terry Robinson paid tribute to his manager. He said: "The youth policy is bold but it was brought on by injuries and finances." "But I am very pleased with the way Andy has been getting on with the job at the club."
The Daily Mirror:
BURY player-manager Andy Preece grabbed a late leveller in a dull end-of-season encounter. Both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities on a rutted playing surface, but Reading broke the deadlock three minutes before the interval. Matthew Robinson sent in a left-wing cross that was met by Nicky Forster and his header fell into the path of former Spurs player Darren Caskey Caskey made no mistake as he rifled home his 22nd goal of the season and that looked to be enough for Reading. But the introduction of Preece changed the game and he earned his side a point with a super long-range lob.
Manchester Evening News:
THE view from the new Cemetery End at Gigg Lane is already a little more scenic. ? There was a Hill and a Forrest to admire, and player-manager Andy Preece provided a beauty spot of his own with a marvellous last-minute equaliser.? The only thing spoiling the panorama is the eyesore of a pitch, which is seriously inhibiting the Shakers' attempts to improve themselves.? Young lads like Martyn Forrest and Nicky Hill gave a glimpse of a brighter future, even in a game which was the usual end of season, nothing to play for fare. Forrest, handed the captain's armband for the day, was the best player on view in the first half, when his control, skill and vision tamed even the dire swamp on which Bury are expected to play these days.? And Hill, making his first start in front of his own fans, looked assured and solid at left back. With other kids queuing up for first-team action, things are looking a little rosier at the end of a traumatic season.? Said Preece: "Nicky slotted in well. He has things to work on but he is getting good experience with two full 90 minutes under his belt, and probably a couple more this season.? "Fozzy can get the ball down and pass it, has great control and gets up and down the pitch. But there is more to come. The ball was hobbling around, but he got his foot on it, turned people and made room for himself.? "It was right to give him the captaincy for the day. He's a Bury lad, and he was a Bury fan. Any of those players would wear that armband with pride, but none more than Fozzy." ? Unfortunately, there is little prospect of the pitch improving with Swinton Lions' season going on into July.? That would leave a few weeks for long-suffering groundsman Michael Curtis to repair the devastation and no-one could work that miracle. ? Said Preece: "It's difficult, but if the revenue coming in from Swinton and from United's reserves games is keeping the club going, what can you do? ?? "Do you have a nice pitch and no team to play on it, or a horrible pitch and a team? We may have to change our style to suit it sometimes."? Preece led his side around the ground at the end of the game to rapturous applause. Fans have had their grumbles since he took over, but they realised that the mission to stave off relegation, had been accomplished.? The fans' response will not have escaped chairman Terry Robinson's notice as he continues talks with Preece about his future this week. ? And Preece's 30-yard goal, which cancelled out Darren Caskey's first half strike, will also have increased his stock.
Bolton Evening News:
A WIN would have been nice, but Bury player-manager Andy Preece was quite satisfied with the way he and the Shakers ended performances at Gigg Lane this season. ? Preece covets the gaffer's job on a permanent basis. At the moment it is his indefinitely, due to the Shakers* financial situation.? But 72nd minute substitute Preece did his cause no harm at all with an audacious, last-minute lob from fully 30- yards out that rescued a point for Bury.? It prevented what the Shakers, in their present, pitiful situation, needed least of all - a defeat in their last home game of the campaign, Not what's required when you are trying to persuade what fans you have got to come back again next time.? Still, the goal also took Preece to the top of the Shakers' goalscoring pile and he said later: "I saw their keeper was off his line, so I just gave the ball a casual little flick. I'm delighted with it. It was one of those instinctive things that you do and it came off. I'm delighted it got us a point." ? Reading had looked set to hold on to all three points after skipper Darren Caskey gave them a 42nd minute lead.? The former Tottenham mid-fielder supplied a smart close-range finish to Nicky Forster's knock-down to register his 22nd goal of the season. ? Reading boss Alan Pardew also had his say, or rather, didn't. He had words with Paul Bames after the Bury striker launched a blatant, off-the-ball attack on Neil Smith that neither referee Trevor Parkes or his assistants saw.? Pardew was more guarded in his after-match comments about Barnes, saying only: "That's private and I don't want to comment on it." Nuff said.? So it's into the last two games of the season, away at Stoke and Notts County, and more talks with chairman Terry Robinson for Preece. ? "We have started talks and, hopefully, we will get everything sorted out in the next week or so," said the Bury boss.? "I'm pretty sure I'll be here next season - and now I am leading goalscorer, with the same total lan Lawson had before he went to Stockport. The chairman knows I am not intending to hang my boots up just yet," added the 33-year-old striker.