Bolton 1sts 7 Bury 1sts 2

Bury’s poor pre-season was rounded off with a 7-2 defeat away at neighbours Bolton.

With Bury once again missing several first team players, this was always going to be a hard task, and the decision to test out a new formation also worked against the visitors as players took time to adjust to their new roles. Bolton struck twice in the opening 10 minutes, firstly with a well-worked short corner routine and then with a quick counter-attack.

It was not all bad for Bury however, as they put together some decent passages of play, but all too often James Oakes was isolated in attack, and moves were constantly breaking down.

Two more goals before half time saw Bolton take a 4-0 lead into the break.

Bury, now settling into their new roles, passed the ball far better in the second period.

Piers Smith-Hughes and Simon Major were having a greater influence in midfield, with first team debutant Dan Balding also making a good impression on the right wing.

It was Bolton who struck again with yet another well-rehearsed short corner, but Bury soon hit back.

Some good interchanges down the right saw Toby Carr-Brown and Oakes combine to threaten the Bolton goal, before Smith-Hughes pounced on the rebound to get Bury on the scoresheet.

Smith-Hughes soon followed this up with a second, as he hit a venomous reverse stick shot past the stranded keeper, before he then set up Oakes for a one-on-one chance with the keeper.

Unfortunately last year’s top scorer was unable to convert the chance as Bolton grabbed two late goals to round off the scoring.

Bury are away at Carlisle in their season opener on Saturday.