Bury FC have made a shaking appearance in England’s oldest footballing competition, with the First Round Proper just one successful game away, writes Lily-Mae Cooper.
A strong start for the Shakers entering in the Extra Preliminary Round on the 3rd of August with a 4-2 win against a predicted cohesive, strong Congleton Town. Star player for Bury, Alex Cherera showed dominance throughout the match as the winger scored three of the four goals, securing their place in the Preliminary Round. An unexpected tap off the head, up to the crossbar, and over the goal line for Ruben Jerome secured their last goal in the 73rd minute following a Bury corner kick. The busy second half produced three goals for Bury and one for Congleton, both sprang into action as the home team became under threat by the lead their opposition claimed before the break.
Avro hosted Bury in the Preliminary Round on the 17th of August with yet another superior play from the Shakers at The Vestacare Stadium. Both teams fought against tough defence lines from the onset with possession flickering from one to the other. Bury’s resistance held up, successfully shutting down the early chances Avro created to bring it home. Full time came with 4 extra minutes and a final score of 2-1 with appreciation to goal scorers Alex Cherera, and Lewis Alessandra. Another controlled win against higher opposition.
Drawn up against another team from a league above in the NPL East Division, Garforth Town, in the First Round Qualifier expectations were of a hard-to-top, strong-form competitor. Both Bury and Garforth met unbeaten. This set up for a harsh and grovelling first half, with little progression from either team. Once again Cherera broke the deadlock and scored in the 45th minute. He came back a second time to assist Alessandra in making his first touch and simultaneously goal of the match. Bury walk out victorious and still undefeated.
1,246 attendees made it to Croft Park to watch the undeniable force of Bury lead the Second Qualifying Round to a 3-0 win against Blyth Spartans. All goals in the second half, Cherea, Gomes, and Connor Pye took the Shakers to yet another undefeated victory. Visiting fans had a full view to celebrate the successes in the away end. Excitement bubbles at the thought of attaining a First-Round Proper game, two wins away from its possibility.
Derby day was upon us. Ground reached compacity. Crowds of 2,800 filled the Neuven Stadium.
Assistant manager, Tim Lees, reminisced on the clubs’ journey so far and said: “Every non-league player dreams of making it to the first round of the FA Cup.”
“We have managed to continually knock out teams leagues above us with some excellent collective performances along the way”.
The Third Qualifying Round witnessed the clash with neighbours Radcliffe. An afternoon of drama and unrest for Bury as the game kicked off out of their favour. Within the 7th minute, the three-division gap between the two materialised with an opposition goal. The dissatisfying result of an ignored offside request from the Shakers. It appeared this is all the underdogs needed to create speculation in their ability. A team of composure and pressurised attack unearthed itself at Neuven as the visitors began to push for opportunities. Plays from Alessandra and Gomes shake up the Boro nerves as they fight for an equaliser. It doesn’t come. The halftime break couldn’t end soon enough as Bury came crashing back into play. Sam Coughlan put in a shift in a lethal attack off a free kick sending it low across the goal line. In the 82nd minute, Bury pulled away from their host as Ruben Jerome made a solo break down the left channel, cleared the defensive line and bolted the ball past the fingertips of Radcliffe’s Hewelt. Just 5 tantalising minutes later Boro comes back burning as Josh Wardle receives a crossed free kick which tips past Mitchell Allen. A heart-stopping 90th minute rewarded the Shakers with a penalty heading into extra time. The reliable force of Bryan Ly slipped the ball past Hewelt sending him veering off in the opposite direction. It’s all over.
Lees noted, “The jump in leagues brings a higher level in all areas; tactical, technical, and physical challenges and it has been a memorable run with Radcliffe being the pinnacle”.
Bury claim this 3-2 derby success as their 18th run undefeated this season.
The Fourth Qualifying Round will take our winners away to Harborough Town on Saturday the 12th October as they continue their impressive run through the FA Cup. Tim Lees insists on the dedication of his team.
He said: “This weekend’s game brings another team two leagues above but I know I speak on behalf of all fans – we will do everything to be in that draw with an opportunity to play league one or two teams.”
