Waltham Abbey’s direct style of play led to two second half goals and all three points.
Bury Town saw plenty of the ball first half as they dominated the possession but the Waltham Abbey defence was equal to anything Bury had to offer in front of goal. Bury had a bright start to the half as they went straight on to the attack but could not find a clear-cut chance. On 11 minutes Luke Brown put a great ball across the penalty area for Max Maughn but his shot has blocked. On 20 minutes Cemal Ramadan got the ball in the box and tried to find space to shoot but the Waltham Abbey defence was on him in a flash and got the ball clear. A counterattack from Waltham Abbey on 24 minutes saw Amrit Bansal-McNulty strike from distance and Charlie Beckwith got a hand to the ball to send it just over the bar. Bury had a good chance on 32 minutes when Max Maughn put a cross into the box for Luke Brown in front of goal but his header lacked power and the ball spun up and was an easy catch for the keeper. The visitors them went straight up the other end and Charlie Beckwith had to make another good save at his near post to keep Waltham out. Max Maughn went close on 38 minutes when his effort was turned around the near post by keeper Bradley Robinson. Charlie Beckwith made another excellent save on 43 minutes when Richard Asamoah broke into the box and tried to put his shot inside the near post. Waltham Abbey looked dangerous on the counterattack and late in the half they had two great chances to open the scoring. Kymani Thomas hit the post on 45 minutes with a brilliant strike from distance and Jason Hallett had his shot cleared from the goal line in added time by Michael Davis.
Half Time: Bury Town 0 Waltham Abbey 0
The warning signs were there for Bury and from early in the second half Waltham Abbey started to find more of the ball and Bury found it hard to contain their direct attacks. On 50 minutes a good cross into the Bury box found Prince Domafriyie and his shot was saved well by Charlie Beckwith. Then on 52 minutes a well worked attack unlocked the Bury defence as Kymani Thomas put a ball across the Bury back line and Prince Domafriyie was there at the back to fire Abbey in front. On 61 minutes a corner playing into the Bury box had to be punched clear close to goal by Charlie Beckwith. Waltham Abbey won a free kick on 67 minutes which Amrit Bansal-McNulty sent goalward but again Charlie Beckwith made another good save. Then on 71 minutes Waltham Abbey’s direct play sliced through the Bury defence again and another well worked attack saw Kymani Thomas play a pinpoint pass through the defence for Aaron Eyoma to fire home with an excellent finish. Ed Upon worked hard to find some space to shoot from distance for Bury on 75 minutes but his strike went straight to the keeper. On 86 minutes Kymani Thomas got himself free in the Bury box but he put his shot over the bar. A late chance for Bury on 96 minutes saw Ed Upson try another shot from distance but the result was the same as the keeper made the catch. A tough afternoon for Bury as they saw plenty of possession although rarely tested the visiting keeper but it was job done for worthy winners Waltham Abbey.
Full Time: Bury Town 0 Waltham Abbey 2
Bury Town Star Man: Charlie Beckwith
Match Rating: 3
Attendance: 648