Workington, Sat 19th Sep, 3:00PM (H)
Bury booked their spot in the next round of the FA Cup following a convincing 5-1 win over in form Workington at Gigg Lane. A brace apiece from Kai Evans and Mo Touray and a late goal from Rustam Stepans overturned an early Workington lead.
Having won 8-0 in their previous round of the cup the Shakers looked to start strongly in this match as well. Owen Robinson had an early shot deflected away for a corner while a Kai Evans cross, headed on by Connor Pye was blazed over by George Glendon from a good position. Mo Touray and Evans both saw shots saved by Reds keeper Alex Mitchell while a heavily marked Glendon squeezed off a shot that went just wide.
Against the run of play it was the away side that took the lead. A corner swung into the box left goalkeeper Mitch Allen in no man’s land. Failing to come out and claim the ball allowed Reds fullback Joe Grayson to volley home the opener.
The match was a far more open contest than Bury have faced for a while and also quite physical. Two Workington players were substituted before the break with injuries while Connor Pye was replaced by Rustam Stepans. Stepans nearly made an immediate impact with a turn and shot that was just dragged wide.
Reds substitute Jake Allen saw a shot saved by Mitch Allen and later hit the post from a free kick. At the other end Kai Evans had a shot palmed away by the Workington keeper while Glendon was denied by a last ditch block in the box.
With halftime approaching Evans made sure Bury would not be trailing. Surging forward from the left wing and allowed into the box he tested Mitchell in the Workington goal with a shot to the near post and beat him to claim an equaliser.
From there Bury never looked back. Evans nearly claimed a second immediately teaming up with Leo Graham to win the ball but curled a shot wide of the far post.
Evans then gave Bury the lead in first half stoppage time. Mo Touray held the ball up brilliantly and set Evans free into the box. He was hacked down and the referee pointed to the spot. Evans took the penalty himself sending Mitchell the wrong way.
After the break Bury looked the more likely to score with neat interplay with Robinson and Touray unlocking the visiting defence while Robinson set up Graham with a chance but the midfielder cleared the crossbar with his effort.
Workington still only trailed by one and following a poor defensive header Luke Hunter nearly scored but was denied by a great save by Allen.
The Shakers couldn’t be denied forever and got the goal they deserved. Robinson laying the ball off to Touray who switched onto his left and placed a curled effort into the top corner to extend Bury’s lead.
Touray nearly scored another straight away as Evans slipped him the ball, his first time shot hit the post before Mitchell could claim the rebound.
Man of the match Touray wasn’t to be denied again and seized upon a loose ball from lax Workington defending. From the edge of the box he sent another shot into the top corner to put the result beyond a doubt.
Back in their comfort zone the Shakers pushed for more. An Anthony Dudley cross was spun wide by Graham while substitute Luca Navarro shot to the near post forcing a good save from the keeper when Touray was open for a chance to claim a hat-trick. Navarro came closer with a free kick that struck the far post with the keeper beaten.
Bury completed a strong performance with another goal. Stepans sending a great cross-field ball to James Melhado. The substitute held the ball up well before laying it back to Stepans who arrived to finish into the bottom corner for his first of the season.
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