THERE were mixed results for Bury this weekend with the men's first team getting back to winning ways with a comprehensive 5-2 victory against Didsbury Northern.

The ladies' second team also continued their fine run of form with a 2-0 victory at Stockport Bramhall but the men's second team were crushed 6-0 at leaders Didsbury Northern 5s, and poor finishing cost the ladies' first team when they lost 2-0 to Manchester University.

A first-half hat-trick from Adam Friend and a brace from James Oakes were enough to seal the points and help the men's first team climb to third place in Division Three North.

Forward Friend fired a bouncing ball past the onrushing keeper with less than a minute played following a quick Bury attack.

He netted his second to double Bury's advantage when he combined with Simon Major and James Oakes to complete a slick passing move.

The lead was soon halved as Didsbury found a way back into the game following a goalmouth scramble, despite the best efforts of keeper Rob Fogwill.

The Castlebrook High School outfit responded in fine fashion with Dan Balding producing some fine wing play to set up Oakes.

The Bury forward beat one man before firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner past the stranded home keeper.

With Bury totally dominant, Oakes doubled his tally with a short corner strike to give Bury a commanding three-goal lead.

Bury sealed an excellent 35 minutes when Friend completed his hat-trick.

More fine play from winger Balding set up the ex-Brooklands star to fire home Bury’s fifth and final goal of the game.

The second half saw Bury visibly take their foot off the pedal and Didsbury added a second consolation strike.

A depleted Bury second team took on league leaders Didsbury Northern with just eleven players this weekend, and despite the scoreline, entered a creditable performance.

With controversial umpiring decisions and injuries going against them, the home side, at times, found themselves down to eight men.

Fine performances from keeper Bobby Powers and young right-back Saleem Raza were two of the positive which Bury can take from what was a tough encounter.

Poor finishing cost the ladies first team on Saturday when they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Manchester University.

Despite chances for Beth Topping, Livvy Barber, Becky Richmond and Jennifer Matthews, Bury could not find a way passed the home goalkeeper.

The students took the lead in the first half when a goalmouth scramble ensued following Megan Klyomwec’s initial save, resulted in the ball being forced over the line.

Another goal in the second half sealed the points for the university side as more profligate finishing saw Bury fail to find the target, despite the best efforts of the returning Charlotte Bates and youngster Rachel Bailey.

The ladies’ second team kept up their fine run of form with another victory away to Stockport Bramhall this weekend.

Building on their impressive cup outing a fortnight ago, the ladies put together some excellent passing play, as they put the home side under pressure for the opening 25 minutes of the game.

A fine passing move in the 18th minute allowed winger Sophie Foreman to receive the ball on the left-hand side of the circle.

Showing excellent composure, Foreman produced a superb finish across the keeper to give Bury a deserved lead.

Further chances came and went as excellent play from the Bury midfield and attack proved difficult to handle for the Stockport defence, with Lorna Wroe narrowly firing wide with an improvised finish shortly before half time.

Stockport came back into the game in the second period, and Bury keeper Hania Nicholson was once again required to produce some fine saves, but Bury still threatened on the break with the pace of Wroe proving difficult to handle. Excellent midfield work gradually gave Bury a strangle hold on the game and the result was sealed with eight minutes remaining.

Following a quick break down the right-hand side, the Stockport keeper could only parry the ball into the centre of the goalmouth. Wroe reacted the quickest to grab her second goal in as many games and fourth of the season to put the game beyond the home side.