An early goal and a questionable red card made for an uncomfortable afternoon for Bury Town but the ten men in Blue took on the challenge.
A hard afternoon for Bury Town saw them go behind early on when on 7 minutes a ball into the box which looked to be an easy catch for the keeper was intercepted by Darren Esuka and nodded between the hands of Charlie Beckwith and into the back of the net. Things got even harder for Bury on 14 minutes when Ryan Horne picked up a soft straight red card for a questionable dangerous challenge. The ten men of Bury pulled together and took control of the half. On 20 minutes Joe White chipped the ball into the box and the ball was cleared but only as far as Eathan Mayhew who shot just over the bar. On 23 minutes another Bury attack saw another good ball by Joe White find Cemal Ramadan in the box but his shot went high over the bar. Bury kept pressing forward and on 34 minutes a ball into the box for Tom Thurborn was sent back to Cemal Ramadan who volleyed the ball just over the bar. Tom Thurborn had a chance of this own on 39 minutes when his powerful strike was deflected out of play. Bury made the breakthrough on 40 minutes when Ed Upson put a corner into the box which came out to Eathan Mayhew and he rifled the ball into the back of the net giving the keeper no chance as he scored the equaliser. On 45 minutes Ed Upson sent a good cross to the far post for Josh Curry but under pressure from the defence who left him no space he could only head the ball wide of the post.
Half Time Basildon Utd 1 Bury Town 1
Second half despite having a numerical disadvantage Bury continued to take the game to Basildon. On 50 minutes Michael Davis put a pass to the edge of the box for Tom Thurborn who turned his marker and broke into the box but his shot from a wide angle went wide of the far post. Max Maughn battled had to win the ball high up field on 53 minutes and went past the defender to put his cross into the box which landed close to the goal mouth but no one was there to make use of the chance. On 59 minutes Bury should have had a penalty when Tom Thurborn was clipped from behind and sent down in the box but incredibly instead of awarding the penalty the Ref awarded Thurborn a yellow card for simulation. On 62 minutes Joe White sent a beautiful long ball across the pitch to Micheal Davis and his quick pass found Tom Thurborn who tried to set up Cemal Ramadan waiting in the box but the defence got the ball clear. With tired legs showing from Bury as the half progressed Basildon found more of the ball. On 66 minutes Nedal Berri put a shot wide of the far post. Basildon had a chance on 82 minutes with Troy Osei-bobie getting into a good position to shoot but he shot well wide of the target. A good late charge from Basildon saw them finish the game on the front foot but Bury stood their ground and with neither side finding a way through the solid defences to get the winning goal the points were shared at the final whistle.
Full Time Basildon Utd 1 Bury Town 1
The David Longman Man of the Match: Ed Upson
Match Rating: 3
Attendance: 100