Bury 2 FC United 0
No sooner had the game started - it stopped, after a robust challenge from Stephen Dawson saw FC's Simon Garner receiving three minutes worth of treatment after a tap on the ankle.The resulting free kick was quickly dealt with by the Shakers and Bury surged forward only for Dawson to be felled on the edge of the box.BBM's free kick curled around the wall and cannoned off the far post to a waiting Dave Buchanan, his cross into the middle found Barry-Murphy on the edge of the box, where he struck a crisp shot into the back of the visitors goal for a 4th minute goal.
Goal:Bury 1 FC United 0 (Brian Barry-Murphy 4)
FC United had a good chance on 10 minutes when a long range Phil Marsh free kick was charged down on the edge of the Shakers box, with the ball falling kindly for either side, it became a straight race between Wright and Bury's Cameron Belford, with the keeper just tipping the race for pace and clearing.
Bury nearly doubled their lead on 14 minutes when a Paul Scott drive from the corner of the box smashed off the backside of Junji Moses and fell kindly for Ryan Lowe on the back stick, but his cushioned header saw keeper Ashton palm the ball away from danger.
More good football came on 17 minutes when Stephen Dawson, who doesn't do friendlies, rasped the ball away from Carden.Crisp short passing between Jones and Carlton eventually had the former Carlisle striker attempt to cross into the box from an acute angle.The cross though was charged down by Moses and span out for a Bury corner.
Danny Carlton made himself a great chance on 22 minutes after receiving the ball from Ryan Lowe.A flashed drive at goal from near the penalty spot flew at keeper Ashton, but before the former Bolton keeper could react, the ball hit him on the knee and flew away to safety.
Paul Scott and FC's Jerome Wright commenced a spot of handbag throwing on 27 minutes after the Shakers were awarded a free kick by the official.A stern word from referee Bristow though soon calmed things down.From the free kick towards the box, Chadwick cleared forward to Deegan who drove a powerful effort at goal that just fell left of the target.
The final chance of the first half also fell to the Shakers with Mike Jones spraying a good ball out wide to Ryan Lowe.His first touch took it past a defender before he crossed into the box.Danny Carlton got the final touch but saw his effort sail just wide of the mark.
HT: Bury 1 FC United 0
It took the Shakers three minutes to carve out their first chance in the second half.Good work down the flank from Mike Jones saw him tap the ball to BBM, his soft touch to Ryan Lowe saw the former Chester striker strike the ball powerfully at goal, though straight at keeper Ashton who smothered the effort easily.
Bury should have doubled their lead (again) on 52 minutes when a bad clearance from Ashton was charged down by Lowe, he took the ball to the by-line and drove it across the goalmouth to Danny Carlton, unbelievably though the Shakers newest acquisition drive the ball over the bar from close range.
Another chance came on 63 minutes with Dawson threading a good ball through the Danny Carlton just inside the box.Again Carlton got his shot on target though this time Ashton was equal to the effort and tipped it round the post for a corner. Though he was to find the target at last a minute later.Mike Jones played Carlton through the middle and the Shakers striker struck a firm low shot underneat the keeper to make it 2-0.
Goal:Bury 2 FC United 0 (Danny Carlton 64)
Both sides continued to show plenty of endeavour, without really creating any chances.With the total number of substitutes used by both sides, the game did patter into the farcical event that we tend to see over pre-season.The sheer number of changes tends to spoil games and this was no exception.
Bury:1. Cameron Belford, 2. Paul Scott (c), 3. David Buchanan, 5. Ben Futcher, 7. Stephen Dawson (Baker 74), 9. Danny Carlton, 11. Brian Barry-Murphy (Allen 69), 12. Danny Racchi (Johnson 53), 14. Mike Jones (Patel 87), 15. Ryan Lowe (Rouse 64), 16. Efetobore Sodje (Cresswell 69)
Substitutes: 4. Simon Johnson, 6. Ryan Cresswell, 8. Richie Baker, 17. Damian Allen, 19. Krishnan Patel, 20. James Spencer, 21. Domaine Rouse, 27. Josh Rothwell
FC United of Manchester: 1. Sam Ashton, 2. Adam Carden, 3. Simon Garner, 4. Junji Moses, 5. David Chadwick (c), 6. Rob Nugent, 7. Phil Marsh, 8. Simon Carden, 9. Ben Deegan, 10. Jermoe Wright, 11. Carl Lomax
Substitutes:12. Adam Tong, 13. Ben Morris, 14. Abdi Ibrahim, 15. Danny Williams, 16. Joe Shaw, 17. Danny Stott, 18. Papis Dieyte, 19. Ian Hall, 20. Raducio King
Referee: Mr. M Bristow
Assistant (R & Y Flag): Mr. P Anderson
Assistant (Yellow Flag):Mr. M Ackerman
Fourth Official:Mr. N Gibbons
Gate: 1,144 (554 visitors)
