Bury AFC 5-3 Lancaster City - Match Report

Goals from Connor Comber, Ben Wharton, a double from Lewis Gilboy and a late winner from Anton Smith sees Bury continued their FA Cup journey on their maiden voyage in the competition, knocking out Lancaster City 5-3 in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round Replay at the Neuven Stadium, meaning Enoch Likoy, Dom Lawson and Nic Evangelino’s strike for the ‘Dolly Blues’ meant nothing.

With both sides going full velocity with a place in the Third Qualifying Round and a tie against Clitheroe at stake, the Northern Premier League side began the brighter of the two with David Norris’ strike had real venom on it but just clipped the top of the bar. Nick Evangelinos was denied by a last-ditch tackle by a Bury man but the resulting corner saw Enoch Likoy turn past Jack Atkinson with barely five minutes on the clock.

Lancaster continued to push for goal and strikes by Sam Bailey and Nic Evangelinos sprung Atkinson into two fine stops before Bury got a foothold in the tie and twisted the screw on the contest, showing signs of threats on goal. A half-chance went wasting before Harry Brazel’s blazing run into the area had Lancaster in knots but his shot didn’t match his build-up play, squirming round the post. The next chance came along and was took by Connor Comber. A header from guilt-edge territory was converted after the initial strike at Curtis Anderson was parried by the Lancaster shot-stopper.

Bury were really in their stride at this point. Ben Wharton’s header flew agonisingly over before the referee was left with no choice to award Bury a spot-kick after a trip in the box. Ben Wharton made no mistake, placing far into the left corner.

Bury had a real lift after the goal and the banging of sides, singing of songs by the boisterous Shakers outfit. Gilboy almost delivered another blow for Lancaster, his strike on target crept just over the bar.

The ‘Dolly Blues’ rekindled their antics on target, seeing an effort denied on the line before Don Lawson levelled the game up, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the air to nod past Atkinson after the ‘Shakers’ keeper clawed a strike on target seconds before.

HT: Bury AFC 2-2 Lancaster City

Lancaster had the lion’s share of possession early in the second period but Bury weathered the storm and took control of their own destiny, worrying Curtis Anderson on a few occasions. Anton Smith almost rounded off a perfect ‘Shakers’ move after some neet play however, the shot was disavowed at the last.

Wharton’s snapshot wasn’t hit cleanly enough before Lewis Gilboy eventually sent the stadium into raptures, giving Bury the lead again. A inch-perfect cross from the right was glanced past Curtis Anderson by Gilboy.

Gilboy replied from his first swiftly with a second, bringing Bury a two goal cushion. The Bury man latched onto a perfectly-timed through ball and placed calmly passed Anderson.

Lewis Gilboy almost chalked up his hat-trick when a fizzing effort marginally drifted away from goal before Comber was close to a second after a lobbed effort cannoned off the top of the bar before Comber again shot across the face trickled wide.

Lancaster piled on the pressure late on and Nic Evangelinos 90th-minute strike brought panic round the ground and a nervy end to the game. The former Workington man tapped home from close range.

The nervy ending was sweeped away as Anton Smith rounded off Bury’s evening, grabbing a fifth goal for the ‘Shakers’. He was left with an open net to aim at after misjudgment in the penalty box and he slid home with the final kick of the tie.

FT: Bury AFC 5-3 Lancaster City