A first half full of goals helped Bury weather the storm in the second and return to winning ways emerging 4-2 victors away at Burscough, writes James Beedie.
Following their first league defeat of the season manager Dave McNabb rang the changes. Gaz Peet and Bebeto Gomes were recalled to the defence, while in midfield Pat Jarrett replaced the suspended Bobby Carroll. Ruben Jerome and Bryan Ly were both back in the attack with star striker DJ Pedro moved to the left wing to accommodate them.
The switch to the wing did not affect Pedro's form. Entering the match having scored seven goal in seven matches he made it eight from eight after only four minutes. Latching into a long ball forward straight from goalkeeper Mitch Allen Pedro picked his spot and found the bottom corner easily for an early goal for the Shakers.
The visitors quickly created a chance to score a second goal. A great cross field pass by Ly found Rustam Stepans on the right wing. He cut inside but his shot was tipped over the bar by Burscough keeper Ben Barnes. Bury were not to be denied however, with the Burscough defence under siege the Shakers attack broke through again. A low cross from the right by Gomes found Pedro, while his initial shot was saved by Barnes Ruben Jerome was waiting to follow up with the rebound from close range.
While the hosts did try to respond going close with a Sam Rigby free kick that had to be tipped over by Mitch Allen as well as James Salkeld free header that was directed straight to Bury's keeper but the action at the other end was unrelenting.
Pedro saw a deflected shot from edge of box nearly fool Ben Barnes who did just enough to keep ball out but there was no stopping Bryan Ly who poked home a close range effort after a good passing move between Stepans and Gomes created Bury's third goal after only 30 minutes.
Bryan Ly then grabbed a quick second goal. Teed up by Jerome, he skipped past his marker and from some way out from goal fired a shot into the bottom corner to make it 4-0 to the Shakers.
Coming out for the second half the visiting spectators may have hoped for more of the same and see Bury extend their handsome lead but his never materialised. Pressed from the restart the Shakers never really had a notable chance in the second period while a rejuvenated Burscough began to fashion a comeback.
Callum Laird was added at the break and the forward was a constant thorn in the Bury defence's side for the entire half. The hosts first real chance fell to Salkeld, the winger fired a first time shot from miles out and struck the crossbar. Next the unmarked Laird had a shot on goal blocked by Allen suddenly faced with much more pressure as Bury were put in their heels. These early warning shots were not heeded and it wasn't long before the home side grabbed their first goal.
Poor defending from Gomes allowed Matt Hamilton to win the ball on the Burscough left. His cross found forward Sam Turner who had an easy finish from a yard out to spoil Bury's hopes of a clean sheet.
Hamilton was involved again seeing a curled free kick tipped over the bar by Allen. From the resulting corner kick Burscough scored a second. The Bury keeper came out to claim the high ball sent in but the flight of it saw it sail above his outstretched arms and fall at the far post where it was bundled over the line by captain James McCulloch.
The visitors now looking nervous and unsure especially at the back then had to see out a nervous close to the match. While substitutes were made few made an impact for Bury who could not rediscover their first half form. Lewis Alessandra playing his last competitive match before his retirement tried to force a late chance through to fellow substitute Alex Cherera but the opportunity was quickly snuffed out.
Bury though had created too high of a mountain for Burscough to climb and emerged victorious. While Bury will be pleased to respond to last week's defeat with an immediate win the manner of how the second half went will be a cause for concern. The Shakers will have to be at their best for all 90 minutes when stiffer tests in December come around.
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