Bury Town get themselves in front but Stratford Town fight back to take a big three points
Bury started the game on the offensive and had two early chances. First on 8 minutes a high ball forward fell perfectly for Ollie Canfer, but he blazed the ball over the bar. Then on 16 minutes Ollie Canfer put the ball in the box for Jamie McGrath but some superb defending by Daniel Vann stopped any shot getting through to goal. Bury did take the lead on 19 minutes when George Quantrell put a cross into the box and Jamie McGrath was there to put the ball past the keeper. Going behind strengthened Stratford’s resolve, and they started to find more on the attack. On 28 minutes Bury gave the ball away at the back and Owen James pounced on the chance to press forward, got into the box and his shot lacked power and was an easy save. On 14 minutes a good ball into the Bury box by Jourdain Masidi had to be launched clear by Taylor Parr. On 38 minutes Finlay Brennan worked the ball in from the wing and his shot was blocked by Lewis O’Malley, the ball came out to Joshua Hawker, and he shot high over the bar. On 44 minutes Stratford broke forward with Owen James and Taylor Parr got an important foot in to take the ball away from him in the box. Since conceding Stratford showed great determination and got their reward when they pulled level just before the break. A ball into the box had players lining up in support and Lewis Ison was in at the back to tap in from close range.
Half Time: Bury Town 1 Stratford Town 1
Second half Bury had a chance in the first minute when Tommy Hughes put a free kick into the box and Ollie Canfer headed over the bar. On 53 minutes Joshua Hawker hit a powerful strike for Stratford from outside the box which Charlie Beckwith did well to stop. Dan Lafferty saw an opportunity to run at the Bury defence on 57 minutes and his shot went just wide of the target. Lewis Ison got into the Bury box on 58 minutes but saw his strike blocked by Lewis O’Malley. On 63 minutes George Qunatrell tried to get Bury back on the attack as he took the ball a long way up the pitch before two defenders stopped him and won the ball back. On 72 minutes Ryan Jolland showed excellent vision as he threaded the ball through to Mikey Davis who got into the box and his shot was blocked. On 73 minutes Lewis Ison fired a shot from distance which Charlie Beckwith again did well to save. On 79 minutes Stratford had a great chance to go in front when a cross into the box gave Dan Lafferty a free header and his soft effort was easy for Charlie Beckwith. Then with the game looking to be heading for a draw a clever ball forward was met by Max Lott and his finish was spot on as he slipped the ball past the keeper. Bury had a shout for a penalty on 88 minutes when Jamie McGrath was clearly shoved over in the box, but the Referee saw things differently and let the game continued. At the final whistle it was an important win for Stratford which moves them in the right direction and they climb from 16th to 12th in the league. For Bury Town, they had the lead but could not hold on to it and remain just outside the relegation zone in 18th place having picked up just one point from their last five games.
Full Time: Bury Town 1 Stratford Town 2
Bury Town Star Man: Jamie McGrath
Match Rating: 2/5
Attendance: 646