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Barnet 3 Bury 0

17/ 4/2008

BURY took an unwelcome step back into their past as they plundered three goals in defeat at Barnet.

Pre-game the Shakers’ boss Alan Knill had called for his side to play a more entertaining brand of football, but in all their intent to attack when possible they switched off at the back and produced what Knill called a defensive ‘shambles’.

The manager must have thought he’d stepped into a time machine as Bury conceded three poor goals that wouldn’t have been out of place in the first half of the season prior to the current boss’ arrival at Gigg Lane.

The first involved three missed tackles, the second should have been dealt with by Ben Futcher and the third was ludicrously easy.

Barnet striker Adam Birchall deserved the plaudits for his brace, but Shakers fans will be more concerned about the apparent lack of urgency from their side, who appear to be going through the motions since they secured their League Two safety last week.

Bury started brightly enough with on-loan winger Elliott Bennett taking advantage of the Underhill slope and getting at the home defence.

An early cross from the Wolves man was narrowly missed by Adam Rooney.

Bennett then saw a glancing header well saved by Barnet keeper Lee Harrison. Andy Bishop tested Harrison once again with clever footwork and a shot on the turn.

But the home side came back and made life difficult for central defensive partnership Futcher and Efe Sodje. Much to their relief Anthony Thomas hit Bury’s side netting from a cross that should have been dealt with.

The break-through finally came in the second half when Birchall was put clear and made no mistake beating Jim Provett in the Shakers’ goal.

Birchall pounced on Futcher’s mistake soon after and the game was effectively over. The victory was sealed with five minutes to go as Birchall caused havoc in the box again, before Cliff Akurang tapped in.