Bury AFC boss on side's pre-season progress after FC United draw

The game between the two fan-owned clubs attracted a 2,000-strong crowd to Broadhurst Park as both continued their build-up to the new season.

After Paul Ennis put the hosts in front early on it was main man Tom Greaves, the record scorer for both clubs, who ensured things ended honours even at 1-1.

“Just before we went in after the warm-up we made a point of clapping the fans,” said Welsh, a former FC United man himself.

“You could tell already at that point they were right behind us and as much as FC were chanting during the game, so were our fans, and that’s what it has to be.

“Let’s not come to the game just to watch, let’s get behind it and make some noise.”

The AFC players salute the travelling supporters

AFC more than held their own against a side three divisions above them but went behind in the ninth minute.

Ayo Ibrahim made a mistake and gave the ball away, with the home side profiting and Ennis powering a shot into the bottom corner past a trialist goalkeeper to open the scoring.

Bury came back into the game, with Matty Williams involved at both ends.

The right-back made some key blocks and also had the best chance for the visitors after getting on the end of a Greaves cross.

The Red Rebels then looked to make a fast start to the second half as they had done in the first with Finlay Sinclair-Smith and Ennis both denied by sharp stops.

Then it was time for Greaves to shine, the prolific frontman holding the ball up before making a great run into the penalty area and slotting the ball home to the delight of the visiting AFC fans behind the goal.

Greaves had a chance to win it late on, his charge getting the ball around the goalkeeper but as the ball trickled slowly towards the goal line, the FC defence managed to clear the ball to safety as the referee blew the full-time whistle.

“It was really positive in terms of the work that we’ve got out of the game,” Welsh said post-match.

“We’re not looking at results and taking them too seriously at this stage but it’s nice to know we’ve got a squad and a group of players that can mix it with a team that’s a few divisions higher than us.

“What was really important was the work that we got in.

“If we’re honest, at half-time we felt we needed to get the boys in to have a little chat about certain areas we need to do better in and when we came out second half I thought it was at times, very good, and also at times a little too eager to go into certain areas which ended with a couple of one v one saves from the keeper who has done great.

“Likewise we go up the other end, Lewis Gilboy hits the post, Greavesie has had a chance.

“We’ve created chances, they’ve created chances and they’ve got a good side like we have.”

AFC found out this week that their North West Counties First Division North season begins at new boys Ilkley Town on Saturday, July 31.

The preparations continue at Bradford-based Northern Counties East League club Thackley on Saturday and Welsh could shuffle the pack as he bids to get minutes into all of his players between now and the end of the month.

The boss is also determined that every member of his squad will know they have a real fight on for a place in the starting XI.

“I want a competitive squad and I want players that know that training matters and that every game that we play in pre-season matters,” he said.

“We’re going into the season and for some teams it’s going to be their cup final playing against us.

“We’re going to have to be two steps ahead sometimes and all this work we’re doing now is for a reason.

“We don’t do friendlies.”