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The Twelfth Man
The Twelfth Man

Preview: Grimsby v Bury

By: Kevin Dolan
Date: 01/03/2007

GRIMSBY Town have the opportunity to pull further away from the relegation zone as struggling Bury visit Blundell Park.

Home > 2006-2007 Season > Previews > Bury (h)


The Opposition

Overview
Bury have had a tough time in recent years. After spending two seasons at Championship level in the late nineties, the Shakers have made a progressively worse finish for the last eight seasons and the last two seasons (17th and 19th) have successively been the club's lowest ever league finish. During this time the club has also had massive financial difficulties and survived being put up for sale by the High Courts, a failed takeover bid, going into administration and being without a chairman for the last few seasons.

Last season started disastrously and after one win in the first nine games, and with the club propping up the league, Graham Barrow was sacked as manager. Chris Casper (left) was then appointed as caretaker manager and almost immediately produced an unbeaten five match run. At the age of 29, he then became the youngest manager in the league when given the full time position. The Shakers had climbed to 16th by Christmas, but an indifferent second half of the season meant the club were dragged back into the relegation fight before confirming league status on the last day of the season.

The Team
Bury currently lie 19th in League two, four points behind The Mariners. After losing their first four games, the 3-0 win against Town at Gigg Lane kickstarted their season and six consecutive wins in the autumn guided them up to eighth place. After defeating Chester in the FA Cup, the club were subsequently thrown out of the competition due to fielding an unregistered player and since then they have failed to win a game, picking up only five points from a possible 36; they have also failed to score in their last four. Their home form has mainly been the problem throughout the season, whilst they have recorded six away wins, most notably at Lincoln.

Ex-Mariner Alan Fettis started the season in goal, but broke his arm in September and has mainly been in reserve since recovering. Glynn Hurst (left) scored the goal for Chesterfield that relegated Town back in 2004 and has nine goals so far this season. Tom Youngs scored twice against Town in the reverse fixture although injury has hampered his season. Paul Scott has been an ever-present this season whilst fellow defender Dave Challinor will also return for his annual booing. Marc Goodfellow joined from Town in the summer, but was released in January after starting only two games.

Key Player
After spending a few short stints with Kidderminster, Rochdale and Yeovil, Andy Bishop (left) joined York City in 2004 and was the top scorer in the Conference last season. He rejected a new contract last summer in favour of joining Bury and has firmly established himself as their main goal threat, scoring 17 goals in all competitions, although he has now gone six games without scoring.

Recent Form

TownBury
LMacclesfield(h)1-2
WWrexham(h)2-1
WMansfield(a)2-1
WBristol R(h)4-3
WBoston(a)6-0
Currently 17th in League Two.
LPeterborough(h)0-3
LChester(a)0-1
LWycombe(h)0-4
LMK Dons(h)0-2
DHereford(h)2-2
Currently 19th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownBury
Bore8
Toner6
Jones6
Bishop18
Hurst9

Team News

TownBury

  • Danny Boshell is fit again after missing out last week through illness.

  • Gary Croft picked up a groin strain in the reserves and is very doubtful.
  • Richie Baker returns after a one match suspension.

  • Brian Barry-Murphy and Tom Youngs are hoping for a recall after injury.
  • Probable Teams

    TownBury
    1Phil Barnes
    29Matthew Bloomer
    6Justin Whittle
    5Nick Fenton
    3Tom Newey
    18Peter Bore
    25James Hunt
    8Paul Bolland
    10Ciaran Toner
    19Gary Jones
    22Danny North
    20Andy Warrington
    23Andy Parrish
    5Dave Challinor
    21Darran Kempson
    3Tom Kennedy
    25Tony Bedeau
    8Nicky Wroe
    2Paul Scott
    18Marc Pugh
    28Glynn Hurst
    12Andy Bishop

    Subs

    TownBury
    13Robert Murray
    24Simon Grand
    2John McDermott
    16Danny Boshell
    17Peter Till
    4John Fitzgerald
    6Colin Woodthorpe
    17David Buchanan
    14 Richie Baker
    24Jake Speight

    Head to Head

    The Mariners have a good record against The Shakers at Blundell Park who have only one win from their last 11 visits.

    P 64 W 25 D 15 L 24 F 95 A 94

    Bury Head-to-Head (41st on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    The last time Bury visited Blundell Park was last March when a Gary Jones double earned The Mariners three points.

    18-Mar-2006
    Grimsby2 - 1Bury
    Jones 14, 20
    Daly 60
      

    Grimsby Team: Mildenhall, McDermott, Whittle, Futcher, Newey, Cohen, Bolland, Woodhouse, Toner (Parkinson, 58), Reddy, G Jones
    Subs: (not used) Mendes, Croft, Kalala, Goodfellow

    Bury Team: Schmeichel, Scott, Fitzgerald, Challinor, Woodthorpe, Buchanan (Kennedy, 55), Flitcroft, Mattis (Speight, 77), Barry-Murphy, Youngs, Daly (Marrison, 72)
    Subs (not used): Grundy, Brass

    Attendance: 5,196   Report

    Prediction

    Town 3-1 Bury

    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.

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