Notts County vs Bury - Reported by Hannah Ingram at Meadow Lane
After losing at home to Aldershot last weekend, the Shakers entered the Easter weekend with an away trip to Notts County. Their recent dip in form had seen Bury drop to 7th in the table as they tried to cling onto a play-off place, whilst Notts County had used their games in hand to climb into the automatic promotion places. The pressure on the Shakers had continued to build up as they hadn't scored in open play since early February; ultimately the reason why they had dropped out of the top three.
Alan Knill had a re-shuffle of his team ahead of the match at Meadow Lane, bringing Andy Morrell and loanee James Poole into the starting XI, whilst Michael Jones started out on the bench. This game had reached 'big game' status weeks before, and Bury knew they had a mountainous task in front of them; overcoming a high-flying Notts County in their own back yard whilst harbouring a poor scoring record. The return fixture at Gigg Lane earlier this season saw a 3-3 draw and a brilliant match to watch, so both sets of fans expected more of the same.
Notts County had the brighter start to the match, taking the lead after five minutes.
GOAL! After a neat cross from Lee Hughes on the right, Wayne Brown got a hand to it but forced the ball into the path of Mike Edwards in front of goal who finished from close range.
Magpies 1 Shakers 0
Hughes tried an ambitious lob from outside the box on seven minutes as he'd rounded Ben Futcher on the right wing, but it was well wide.
Bury took the ball forward on 16 minutes after a free kick in the centre circle from BBM. Sent into a crowded penalty area, it reached the head of Futcher before landing at the feet of Andy Bishop, but his shot was blocked.
James Poole tried his luck from long range on 22 minutes as he teed up a drive for himself after claiming the ball on the right, but it was over the bar. Poole again made space on the right minutes later after Morrell squared the ball to him; he crossed for Andy Bishop in front of goal but his first touch saw it go over the bar.
Neal Bishop made a neat run for Craig Westcarr on 28 minutes as he passed the ball into the left of the box as Westcarr ran into the space. Shooting from an acute angle, it was an easy save for Wayne Brown at the near post.
After dominating the first period and looking dangerous with every attack, Notts County seemed to let Bury come at them in the middle of the first half.
A cutting cross-field ball from Paul Scott on 44 minutes opened up the Magpies' defence as David Worrall brought the ball down on the left of the box and tried a shot. Schmeichael initially saved it but spilled the ball; Morrell ran on to try and reclaim the ball, but Schmeichel spread his body on top of it.
Moments later and a cross from David Buchanan on the left of the box rolled at the feet of Andy Bishop before reaching James Poole on the right of the box. His low shot forced a good save from Schmeichel to keep Notts County's lead.
Time was soon called on an interesting first half. Notts County flew out of the traps to take an early lead before continuing the pressure on the Bury goal. The Shakers soon got back into things by the middle of the half, creating attacks but lacking the elusive final finish.
Half Time - Magpies 1 Shakers 0
James Poole came close to bringing things level on 49 minutes after a cross from Morrell on the right; left with time and space just inside the area, his shot was blocked and left for Andy Bishop, but he was challenged before he had chance to shoot.
Wayne Brown pulled off an important save moments later as Lee Hughes charged clear on the left hand side of the box after a cheeky pass from Luke Rodgers. Brown sprinted out of his net to challenge for the ball, clearing the threat from Hughes' feet in the process.
GOAL! Craig Westcarr doubled Notts County's lead on 51 minutes after Luke Rodgers made a fine run down the left flank, rounding the Bury defence before crossing to Westcarr in front of goal, who had a relatively easy finish.
Magpies 2 Shakers 0
GOAL! Notts County made it three on the hour mark as some half clearances from Bury saw the Magpies take advantage - the ball eventually fell to Ben Davies in front of goal who made no mistake.
Magpies 3 Shakers 0
GOAL! Lee Hughes added his name to the scoresheet on 66 minutes after a killer free kick from Ben Davies bounced kindly for the Notts County skipper in front of goal, which he calmly put past Wayne Brown.
Magpies 4 Shakers 0
Triple substitution for Bury on 67 minutes - Danny Carlton on for Andy Bishop, Michael Jones on for David Worrall, Tom Elliot on for Andy Morrell
Substitution for Notts County on 67 minutes - Matt Hamshaw on for Ben Davies
Substitution for Notts County on 75 minutes - Delroy Facey on for Lee Hughes
GOAL! Notts County continued to steamroll the Shakers with a fifth goal on 86 minutes courtesy of Delroy Facey. A long range effort was initially blocked by Brown but spilled for the waiting Notts County strikers who just had to decide between themselves who should put the ball in the net.
Magpies 5 Shakers 0
Substitution for Notts County on 87 minutes - Ben Fairclough on for Luke Rodgers
Four minutes of additional time were indicated by the fourth official as Bury just wanted the game to be over.
A late free kick from James Poole on the right of the box met the head of Paul Scott in front of goal but he headed over the bar.
Eventually time was called on an awful away day for Bury. They showed a glimmer of hope in the first half, and looked promising from the off in the second half, but the strength and class of Notts County was simply too much as they steamrolled the Shakers out of the game. Bury surrendered their play off place and things looked bleak as Bury travelled home.
Full Time - Magpies 5 Shakers 0
Attendance - 7005 (529 visitors)
