An entertaining but feisty and ill-tempered games at times lead to the referee brandishing one red card and ten yellow cards as Bury Town took on Coggeshall Town at Ram Meadow
Both sides started well and on the attack. On 5 minutes Coggeshall had the ball in the Bury box with Sam Bantick working his way towards goal but some urgent defending from Zak Bradshaw cleared any danger.
Bury took an early lead on 7 minutes with Ryan Horne making some space for himself to fire a low shot past Matthew Cafer and into the bottom corner of the net.
Blues good start took a hit on 9 minutes with Ryan Jolland picking up a straight red card for a reckless challenge. Bury almost added a second goal on 19 minutes with Cemal Ramadan hitting the side netting from close range.
On 38 minutes Bury won a free kick just outside the box and Jesse Nwabueze struck it well and had Cafer saving at full stretch.
On 42 minutes Coggeshall went close with Ethan Kessel crossing in from out wide but Milo Grimes could only head the ball wide of the post. On 45 minutes Nwabueze went on a driving run into the box for Bury but a well-timed tackle from Aryton Coley ended the attack. Bury finished the half on the attack despite the missing man and took their lead in to the break.
Half Time: Bury Town 1 Coggeshall Town 0
The second half struggled to flow due the number of cautions issued by the referee. On 53 minutes Coggeshall put a high ball into the box looking for Tevan Allen but a timely defensive header from Baris Altintop cleared the ball up field.
On 70 minutes Coggeshall had another good chance with Allen putting the ball in for Isaac Skubich who headed just over the bar.
Bury looked solid at the back with Baris Altintop and Taylor Hastings commanding and controlling the Bury penalty area.
Cemal Ramadan had a great chance to put Bury 2 ahead when he burst through but Cafer saved when one-on-one with the Blues striker, putting the ball out for a corner to keep his side in the game.
Cafer was lucky to stay on the pitch for a dangerous challenege on Nwabueze out on the touch line after the offside flag had gone up but the referee only brandished a yellow card for the offence.
On 84 minutes Tyler Christian-Law got himself into a good position in the Bury box but his shot was blocked bravely by Ryan Horne.
Bury were defending well and in numbers to try and hold out for the win but on 89 minutes after a flurry of balls into the box by Aryton Coley Coggeshall got the equaliser with a cross into the box which broke kindly for Sam Bantick and he finished with a good strike. It was harsh on a Bury side that had defended well despite playing for 81 minutes with 10 men.
Full Time: Bury Town 1 Coggeshall Town 1
Bury Town Star Man: Jesse Nwabueze
Match Rating: 4
Attendance: 417