CAPTAIN Scott Metcalfe admitted missed chances denied Bury AFC the opportunity to round off their pre-season build-up with a victory after slipping to a 1-0 defeat at Cheadle Town.

Despite dominating for large periods, AFC could not find a way past Marcus Burgess in the home side’s goal who clinched victory thanks to Pat Devin’s effort in the 65th minute.

Metcalfe is hoping that wastefulness in front of goal is confined to pre-season and is out of the way ahead of their first ever campaign in the North West Counties League which is scheduled to kick off on Saturday.

“It was a tough one really, I thought that we dominated the game,” Metcalfe told Roch Valley Radio. “Again mistakes have cost us the game and not taking our chances at the other end that has lost us the game really.

“But it happens, it’s pre-season so I am happy it is happening now and not next week. So get them out of us now.”

“The lads know, the ones who are missing the chances, it is a team effort but we need to be killing teams off in the first 10, 15 minutes.”

Metcalfe was impressed by two new arrivals who featured at Cheadle – defender Jordan Downing and Aiden Chippendale, a familiar face from his time at Ossett Albion.

“I played with him (Chippendale) up at Ossett,” he said. “A fantastic left foot, great attitude, top lad and will bring a lot of goals and create a lot of chances for us.”

Of fellow defender Downing, the captain added: “Fantastic, man of the match. Simple as that. He won every single header and I don’t think he lost the ball.”

It remains to be seen if the NWCFL season will kick off on Saturday, but Metcalfe will be ready for the arrival of Steeton should it go ahead.

“They are going to be in our faces, try to kick us off the park but we’ll be expecting that,” he said. “We have just got to keep our heads, play our normal game and I am sure we’ll win.”