Bury 1 Hartlepool 1

By Albatross
September 21 2002

Pools stay top of the table with a 1-1 draw at Bury. Albatross reports on the game at Gigg Lane. Pools have also been drawn away to Tranmere in the LDV Trophy.

Pools fans arrived in Bury with the news that we will again face Tranmere - this time in the LDV Vans Trophy - in October.

Pools made one change from the side that beat Lincoln in midweek, Paul Arnison replacing Mark Robinson as Pools switched to 5-3-2. A good turn out of several hundred had made the trip across the Pennines, and they were in good voice - the photo below shows though that there were a few softies (ahem) as well!

Pools kicked off attacking the far end from the Pools supporters, but it didn't take long for Bury to show their mettle as they won a free kick on the edge of the box - Westwood was penalised. The wall did it's job though and deflected the ball well over; the resulting corner was well cleared.

Our first shot on target came after 6 minutes, when Darrell Clarke tried an ambitious (to say the least!) lob from just inside the Bury half; Keeper Garner though comfortably claimed the ball. Bury then attacked down Pools' left, Lee Unsworth breaking into the box, but his cross was poor and the chance went begging.

Another good Bury move down the same flank a couple of minutes later also caused problems for the Pools as Abbott got free in the box; Taff made a good stop with his feet, but Abbott was flagged offside.

Pools then had a good chance when Westwood was fouled by Newby near the touchline; Westwood's cross from deep found Humphreys, but his header was easily saved.It was then Bury's turn to have a good chance, as the impressive Abbott curled a shot just wide from the edge of the area. Shortly after, Williams came out well to deny Newby on the edge of the area.

It was no surprise therefore when Bury took the lead a couple of minutes later. Newby did will to play in Pawel ABBOTT, and the on-loan striker slotted past Williams to put the Shakers ahead.

Both sides had been looking to play good football, but Barron and Westwood were having to be on their guard against the short passing movements between Newby and Abbott that were a joy to watch - for Bury fans if not Poolies! Pools were conceding possession a little too easily for my liking as well.

Pools had another couple of goal attempts as they tried to build some pressure; Tinkler headed just wide from an Arnison cross, and Eifion Williams had a good opportunity saved. Bury were looking to add to their lead, and Taff had to tip a shot from Abbott round the post.

Bury had been much the better side during the first half, but Pools too had been looking good going forward.

The second half opened with a spell of good pressure from Pools as they tried to get back into the game. Good work from Boyd on the left saw him manage to put a good ball across that was just too high; and Clarke saw a long-range effort go just wide. Bury were by no means spent as an attacking force as they then broke and a cross from Newby was spilled by Taff; fortunately the ball was put behind off a Bury player, but it was a worrying moment.

Pools continued to attack, with Eifion battling away to good effect; a Boyd shot went just over, and the Bury defence had to head behind a good cross from Arnison to the back stick. Clarke then had a good chance when the ball broke to him on the edge of the area, but he scuffed his shot wide from the edge of the area.

It was Tommmy Widdrington's turn next; Williams laid the ball off well to Widds, but his 20 yard shot went just wide of the post. Pools though were starting to lose the good passing football of earlier, resorting too often to long balls down the channels. From one of these Boyd saw a good shot that took a deflection hit the corner of post and bar.

Bury then had a beter spell, with Williams forced to come out and make a good claim from a Newby cross. A few minutes later the Bury Keeper and Eifion had a collision that saw both need treatment; fortunately both were able to continue.

Pools continued to push forward, and on 76 minutes thought they had been awarded a penalty after a melee in the box; but referee Baines instead awarded a free kick to Bury. Arnison then made way for Tony Sweeney as Pools looked to make the breakthrough. Williams got into the box well and pulled the ball back across; but two pools players got in each other's way and the shot went wide. Another penalty appeal was then turned down, this time for Handball by a Bury defender; to be fair both Ref and Assistant were unsighted while it was right in front of the Pools fans!

Pools finally got the goal they deserved on 82 minutes. A cross from the right found it's way to Richie Humphreys; Humph crossed well to the far post where Adam BOYD was on hand to head home

Pools did continue to attack, but other than a Free Kick from Darrell Clarke that he got a little too much on there were no more opportunities and the match finished with Pools still top of the league.

A draw was probably a fair result; Bury were better in the first half and Pools in the second. A draw is also a good result for Pools against a Bury side that are deservedly well up in the table and showed today that they can play some very good stuff indeed; Newby and Abbott will be a handful for any defence in the division.

For Pools, Eifion Williams lead the line exceptionally well, Boyd showed his skills on occasion and of course scored, and Westwood and Barron overall did well at the back. The gap is down to one point, but we can still chant "We are top of the League". Let's hope we stay there!