Match Reports

Bury Buried

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With Blades fans on 3 sides of Gigg Lane and outnumbering the home support, the only real competition inside the stadium was which section of the travelling fans could out sing the other!

The Blades followed up the midweek demolition of Yeovil with an assured performance against The Shakers. From the off United played with confidence and poise, and it was clear that Lowton and Jean-Francios were going to take every opportunity to get forward as The Blades set off in high tempo.

Through out the first half United probed with good movement, especially down their right side where Lowton and Williamson linked up well. McDonald picked up where he left off in midweek with some intelligent passing. His balance and time on the ball was as eye catching as was Doyle`s closing down and breaking up of Bury’s midfield.

Up front Cresswell`s running and hold up play supported Evans power and positioning, the striker always seeming to find space behind his markers.

To their credit Bury always tried to play ball on the floor during the half and in right winger Amoo had genuine pace which might have troubled United had the winger had the slightest sense of direction and thought about his game.

Despite looking comfortable on the ball and producing some good approach play, United hadn`t really troubled the home keeper enough during the half, just a couple of Evans efforts, and Bury were able to create some pressure of their own towards the end of the half.

The second half brought more of the same, but noticeably United upped the pace and movement off the ball. An Evans free kick was wide before Cresswell missed a great chance from a Williamson cross. Shortly after, McDonald deep in his own half spun away from two Bury players changed direction and hit a 30 yard pass out to CRESSWELL on the right, who advanced into the penalty area, drew the keeper and slotted a left foot shot into the far corner for the opening goal.

Jean-Francois`s timely tackle on Bishop kept the score as it was as Bury tried to create a response. Immediately afterwards Williamson on the edge of the Bury area played the ball back to McDonald who slotted a first time pass inside the full back to EVANS who took a touch before blasting an unstoppable shot inside Belford`s near post.

Bury pushed more men forward, Amoo now in the centre of the attack, in an effort to get something out of the game. United`s central pairing of Collins and Maguire hadn`t missed a thing all afternoon, Amoo`s pace down the middle made little difference.

Lowton then capped a great individual display by getting to the by-line to pull back for Williamson who switched the ball to his left foot, slid past a defender an placed his shot into the bottom left corner.

Game over, queue more competitive singing between the three sides of Blades away fans. Popular opinion said that the conga line in the West stand won the day!


Gloucs’s View
Probably the most complete performance of the season so far. Almost 4000 blades fans made it into a home game atmosphere and the team responded with an assured, confident performance in every department. Controlling and hard working in the first half, then more aggressive in the second, there was only ever going to be one result.
There is a very pleasing balance developing, the work rate – especially closing down high up the pitch – the movement, and above all some of the neat one touch passing that continues to build United’s reputation as a footballing side.
Danny boy has got the team playing nice football, how long before we hear chants of ‘There`s only one Danny Wilson`!?

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A quiet ten minutes now Blades, nothing silly!