Bury Town’s FA Cup journey continues as Nuneaton Borough are defeated in 3rd Qualifying Round
Bury Town put in another solid performance against higher league opposition in this seasons Emirates FA Cup as they knocked out Southern Premier Division side Nuneaton Borough to progress to the 4th and final Qualifying Round for the first time since 2012.
Two quick goals and a rock-solid defensive display were enough to see the Blues progress in front of another sell-out crowd of 400.
Early chances were even as both sides settled into the game. Ollie Hughes got down the wing on 3 minutes and put in a cross close to the ‘keeper but a good catch from Tony Breeden ended the attack. At the other end 2 minutes later Ravin Shamsi put a similar cross in to the box and Bury ‘keeper Joe Rose made the catch. As the game swung from end to end it was Bury who made the break through on 33 minutes with an attacking move which saw Carlos Edwards put a free kick into the far post for Hughes to head back across goal and in to the path of Cemal Ramadan who scored from close range. It was not long before Bury went two goals to the good with another good attack and Hughes shot from inside the box took a slight deflection and beat Breeden and hit the back of the net on 37 minutes.
Nuneaton had a good chance to pull a goal back on 42 minutes after a good build up found Ryan Edmunds in the box, but he pulled his shot wide of the far post.
Half Time: Bury Town 2 Nuneaton Borough 0
After the break Nuneaton increased the pressure and pushed Bury back for most of the half. They dominated possession but the Bury back line stood solid. On 54 minutes a rare break forward from Bury saw Cemal Ramadan break into the box only to shoot wide from a good position which would have killed the game off. On 56 minutes Nuneaton were on the attack and almost halved the deficit with substitute Oliver Bassett shooting from close range but a superb save from Joe Rose denied the opportunity. The Norwich City loanee pulled off another outstanding save on 58 minutes this time from Leroy Lita who shot from close range. Nuneaton were controlling the possession but could not breakdown the Bury defence. On 68 minutes a loose ball in the Bury box was blasted goalward by Lita but again the ball was cleared by Bury. On 75 minutes Rose showed lightning quick reactions to save down low from Lita at the near post. Nuneaton could not find a way through despite all their possession.
Bury had two good chances to wrap the game up, Cemal Ramadan shooting just over the bar, before Cruise Nyadzayo worked his way itno the box but he shot straight at Tony Breedon from close range.
Things got worse for the visitors on 86 minutes when they went down to ten men with the dismissal of Joel Kettle for a second yellow for another poor challenge on Max Maughn. Bury weathered the second half storm and took the win at the final whistle to book their place and continue their journey in the next round of the FA Cup.
Full Time: Bury Town 2 Nuneaton Borough 0