Bury were given three tasks by manager Richie Barker before kick off, chief of which was to retain the ball for longer periods of the game. Retain the ball was the least of their worries after a 1-0 victory at Gigg Lane.
Bury's game began by keeping the ball for long spells, interrupted by spells of attacking football that resulted more often than not, with balls being fired wide, over or as on several occasions - saved well by keeper James Spencer.
Our first taste of new striker Mark Cullen came within five minutes when a stunning ball from Efe Sodje dropped over Cullen's shoulder as he went past the last defender. With the offside trap thwarted, Cullen charged at goal and fired a stern shot straight at keeper Spence, that then rebounded off the Bury striker and out for a FC goal kick.
FC United also showed some attacking prowess on ten minutes when a Cameron Belford clearance more or less came straight back, via a fizzing shot from Carlos Roca. His effort had Belford rooted to the spot and all the Shakers keeper could do was watch as the shot cannoned back into play after crashing against the post.
Within a minute, Sodje was again turning provider, but this time from his own penalty area. A lofted ball into the box saw the veteran defender flick the ball over his own head, before quickly turning and volleying the ball clear and down the field. That volleyed clearance either unknowingly or cleverly dropped onto the right foot of Mark Cullen inside the FC United box, but before he could fire a shot off on target, saw the chance pushed away and out for a Bury corner by a defender.
Another good Sodje clearance on 14 minutes found Ryan Lowe, this time in a wide position. A quick burst of pace and driven cross into the box again looked destined for Mark Cullen, but again, good defending from the visitors saw the ball pushed away for a corner.
Three minutes later and Bury surged forward again. Sodje again started the move with some inspirational close control to take the ball around a defender, his ball was whipped to Mike Jones - making his first appearance of pre-season, who flicked it towards Cullen, though this time he did get a shot off but blazed it high over the bar.
Bury should have taken the lead on 21 minutes when Phil Picken and Mark Cullen played a good one -two in a tight diamond. Cullen drove the ball to Mike Jones on the far side of the box, who showed his trademark move of flashing across the area and driving a good shot on target. His effort though brought the first of several stunning saves from keeper Spencer.
Spencer was on hand again just after the half hour when Picken and Lowe combined, with the later driving a powerful shot on goal that the keeper stopped with another good sprawling save.
Bury's dominance was rewarded on 34 minutes when Jones again produced that trademark run before unleashing an unstoppable drive across keeper Spencer in to the bottom corner of his goal.
Goal: Bury 1 FC United of Manchester 0 (Mike Jones 34)
Bury's next move on goal came just before half time when another cross from Efe Sodje found Joe Skarz attempting a 'Zidane' volley on the turn. Joe Skarz isn't Zidane and his effort ballooned high, wide and not very handsome and out of play.
Half Time: Bury 1 FC United of Manchester 0
Bury began the second half as they finished the first, in possession and attacking, though their first effort came from a Ryan Lowe cross to David Worrall. His effort flew straight into the keepers arms from close range.
FC United came into their own two minutes later with a rasping drive from Mike Norton took a wicked late deflection and seemed certain to find the back of the net. However, the late deflection did not deceive Cameron Belford and he managed to shift direction and stop the shot. With the attempt parried, Michael Carr latched onto the loose ball and fired another strong drive at goal from close range, that Belford again managed to block allowing Picken to smash the ball down the field.
On the hour, the visitors had another good chance, this time Carlos Roca drove a good effort into the box. Mike Norton got a powerful shot away that looked to have beaten Belford - but failed to get past Phil Picken who cleared off the line.
Bury broke away on 66 minutes following a loose pass from Stott. Cullen latched onto the ball and drove forward. With Mike Jones bursting into the box, Cullen spread the ball wide towards Dave Worrall, but over hit the pass leaving it to fly out for a throw.
Joe Skarz collected an injury with 15 minutes of the game left, a raking challenge from the studs of Michael Carr. Richie Barker went for safety and immediately took Joe off the field, though it was later confirmed as a nothing injury. Of more concern is the injury to Peter Sweeney in the first half and an assessment will be made on Monday.
With ten minutes of the game left, Andy Haworth produced a good run forward, his cross into the box form an acute angle saw substitute James Holden slide into clear the danger, but his clearance flew about an inch past the keepers post and away for a Bury corner.
Bury: 1. Cameron Belford, 2. Phil Picken ( A Jones 60), 3. Joe Skarz (Harrop 73), 6. Peter Sweeney (Mozika 28), 7. David Worrall (Haworth 68), 8. Steven Schumacher (c) (John-Lewis 81), 9. Mark Cullen (Feiresinger 68), 14. Mike Jones (Hudson 81), 15. Ryan Lowe (Bishop 68), 16. Efetobore Sodje (Futcher 60), 17. Mark Hughes (Sonnenberger 60)
Substitutes: 5. Ben Futcher, 10. Andy Bishop, 11. Andy Haworth, 12. Lenell John-Lewis, 19. Damien Mozika, 20. Ritchie Branagan, 21. Andrai Jones, 22. Sebastian Sonnenberger, 24. Danny Hudson, 26. Kevin Feiersinger, 29. Max Harrop
FC United: 1. James Spencer, 2. Kyle Jacobs (c), 3. Lee Neville, 4, Jake Cottrell, 5. Adam Jones (Chadwick 70), 6. Dean Stott (Parker 70), 7. Carlos Roca, 8. Michael Carr, 9. Mike Norton (Deegan 63), 10. Richard Battersby, 11. Scott Metcalf
Substitutes: 12. Nicky Platt, 13. Grant Shenton, 14. Ben Deegan, 15. David Chadwick, 16. James Holden, 17. Martin Parker, 18. Adam Edwards, 19. Paul Armstrong, 20. Daniel Grimshaw
Gate: 1,321 (706)
