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Mazza mistake costs improved City all 3 points
By Nathan Jackson October 3 2007
A much improved City performance saw them control long periods of the game at Gigg Lane, but Alan Marriott's error in judgement cost City all 3 points against a poor Bury side. Scott Kerr had given the Imps the lead early on with a thunderous shot before Marriott's mistake, and despite many chances after this the Imps couldn't get a winner, but at least it ends the run of 5 straight defeats.

City started the game and within 3 minutes Ollie Ryan was creating a chance for the Imps, as his run resulted in a corner. Scott Kerr hit the resulting corner at a defender. Bury themselves gained a corner when Bencherif played the ball out, Bury were as equally rubbish at taking corners as City were.

Ollie Ryan came close to scoring his first senior goal for City when his shot from a narrow angle smashed against the underside of the bar, but unfortunately it stayed out of the net. With one of their first attacks of the game, Bury had the best chance so far of taking the lead when Bencherif mistimed a tackle on Adams and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Andy Bishop took the resulting penalty but it lacked confidence and Marriott easily saved it.

This rocked Bury and the Imps were in the lead within a few minutes. Good work from Dodds and Torpey saw the latter play a little ball to Kerr. The midfield weighed up the shot and sent a shot towards goal that smashed past Provett and it was 1-0 to the Imps. It was Kerr's first goal of the season and arguably the best City have scored so far this season.

Kerr came close to making it 2-0 when his shot was parried by Provett, however Dodds was ruled offside as he tried to follow up. Bury hoofed the ball forward and Marriott came out to clear, his normal method of doing this is booting it into the stands, however this time he tried to kick the ball upfield, completely miskicking it to Paul Scott and the defender plopped the ball into the empty net from about 40 yards or so out.

The rest of the half was mixed, with neither side really creating a chance to tkae the lead and the teams went in at the break at 1-1.

Mangan fired wide 90 seconds into the second half before Bencherif was booked for a foul on Mangan. The resultant free kick went straight at the City wall. Dodds thought he scored when he tried to chip Provett, but Futcher was there to clear off of the line. Paul Green tried his luck following a laid-off free kick, his right footed drive hitting the post. Dodds then nearly scored from long range as his 25 yarder was well saved by Provett.

Bencherif went off and was replaced by Moses. City were comfortable and were rarely troubled. The next chance came when Woodthorpe fouled Ryan, Kerr took the free kick and Brown headed it back across the box, only to see Paul Green only just fail to get to the ball.

Bishop made way for Hurst before Green tried a curling effort from the outside of his foot from 25 yards, only to see it well saved again by Provett. Stallard replaced Torpey before Buchanan replaced Barry-Murphy for the hosts. Freck came on for Dodds in the 92nd minute.

City won yet another free kick, this time Frecklington's goalbound shot taking a deflection of an Imps player and going out for goalkick. Brown headed wide from yet another free kick a few minutes later.

City continued to dominate but didn't create any meaningful chances after this, but the Imps will be pleased having secured their first point in over a month.

 

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