SECOND placed Bury took on third-placed Kendal in the first game of a weekend double header. Ben Cooper gave Bury the perfect start after just 42 seconds, sweeping the ball home after David Hodbod had intercepted a stray pass and set up a flowing move. With just three minutes gone, James Oakes had doubled the Bury lead with a neat finish at the near post, to stun the visitors who had come with high hopes of a victory.

Kendal did force their way back into the game with a goal following a quick break, but Luke Fidler’s 150th goal for the club gave Bury a commanding 3-1 lead at half time.

The second half saw Bury take a complete strangle hold on the game as David Hodbod converted a deflected drag flick and then Luke Fidler rounded off the result with two more goals to seal his hat trick, and another three points for Bury.

On Sunday, Bury took on the University of Salford in the Lancashire Trophy, running out comfortable winners. Hat-tricks from Sam Nicholson and Simon Major, a brace from Luke Fidler and a goal each from James Larmett and David Barlass sealed Bury’s progress into the second round, where they will face Golborne for a place in the semi-finals.

Goals from Jamie Barry and Callum Lyall earned the second team a narrow victory over bottom side South Lakes, in an ill-tempered game which saw Bury’s Adam Johnson and a South Lakes forward sent off. This was the second team’s first win in four games, moving them into a mid-table position.

The ladies first team faced their second cup game in quick succession, as they took on the University of Manchester in the Greater Manchester All Divisions Cup on Saturday.

Manchester took a shock lead in the 22 minute but, Bury responded in fine fashion as Beth Topping equalised immediately from the restart, with a close range finish after some impressive dribbling.

Topping moved Bury in front, just a minute before half time, with another close range finish.

The second half saw Bury start brightly with youngster Becky Loonan and Angela Shore moving Bury further in front.

Manchester pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining, but this was swiftly countered with debutant Sally Marsden converting. Despite late pressure from Manchester and another consolation goal, Bury were able to claim their place in the next round of the cup.

The Bury Jaguars Under-15 girls secured four wins out of four this week. The first match against Stockport saw the Jaguars’ Rachel Bailey score an early goal. Bailey added a further three goals and Georgina Gardner also got her name on the scorecard as the Jaguars ran out 5-0 winners.

The second game against Timperley saw Bury take another early lead through Becky Loonan. Bailey added two goals and Loonan scored again to give Bury a comfortable 4-0 win. Jessica Murphy scored the opening goal in the third match, Gardner netted twice and Loonan got a late goal. Stockport scored a consolation as Bury secured a 4-1 win. The final match against Timperley saw the girls complete four wins out of four, with Loonan scoring twice as the Bury Jaguars Under-15 girls won 2-0.