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Top guns recalled

Dave Lawrenson
9/10/2008

STEPHEN Dawson and Efe Sodje look set to be recalled on Saturday despite Richie Baker and Ryan Cresswell shining as their replacements in Bury’s 1-0 win over higher league Stockport on Tuesday night.

Manager Alan Knill was delighted to see the young duo perform so well in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie.

But, with the Shakers having made their best start to a season in more than half a century, Knill is understandably reluctant to steer away from his tried and trusted starting 11.

Knill, who named the same side for eight successive games prior to Tuesday’s cup clash, said: "Richie and Ryan played very well on Tuesday as I knew that they would do.

"They have been excellent in training all season and I felt that the time was right to give them a game.

"They proved that they are ready to play and I am delighted. Players coming into the side, doing well and putting pressure on me and the other players is exactly what you want as a manager.

"Richie’s and Ryan’s performances give me food for thought in terms of Saturday.

"But the fact is that the 11 players that I had been selecting have been doing well all season.

"I rested Stephen Dawson on Tuesday while Efe Sodje had a slight ankle problem.

"They can both play on Saturday and they have strong claims to do so."

The second-placed Shakers put their unbeaten League Two record on the line at home to seventh-placed Exeter on Saturday, October 11, kick-off 3pm.

And Knill is expecting Exeter to provide stern opposition, just as their fellow promoted club Aldershot did seven days earlier.

Knill said: "Exeter are a good side and it will be another tough game.

"Like Aldershot, who we drew with 3-3, they have not struggled at all since coming up to League Two.

"They have the momentum ofpromotion behind them but our home record is fantastic.

"We are really proud of it and we want it to continue.

"We know that it can go if we are not on our game but the players are full of confidence.

"Beating teams like Stockport breeds confidence. We played very well and deserved to win and that result shows where we are at the moment.

"Stockport are doing well in League One and we have shown that we can compete with and beat sides like that."

Striker Andy Bishop has scored three goals in Bury’s last two games to take his tally for the season to seven.

Knill acknowledged that Bishop is on fire at the moment.

But Knill mainly heaped praise on winger Michael Jones, who has made light of Nicky Adams’ close season departure.

Knill said: "Michael has been excellent for us. I’m really pleased with him.

"And the exciting thing from our point of view is that young players like Michael, Elliott Bennett, Ryan Cresswell, Richie Baker and David Buchanan are only going to get better.

"They all work hard in training and are keen to improve their games and that is exciting for the future of this club."

Young Bury striker Domaine Rouse has agreed to remain on loan at Droylsden for another month.