BURY AMATEURS 1 NEWMAN COLLEGE 0: BURY hosted Preston-based Newman College in their first encounter of 2005 and all credit to the club members who worked hard to ensure the game went ahead.

The visitors won the toss and chose to play against a strong wind, giving Bury added incentive to play their attacking game.

The hosts were soon on the attack and their first chance arrived after five minutes.

Neat interplay saw Gary Edwards played through and his lofted ball found Tony Subachus, whose looping volley was cleared off the line.

The two forwards again exchanged passes and a first time shot from Subachus was just tipped round the post.

Pete Hickford was switched from right to left and he caused all sorts of problems, as did Gary Edwards who was working tirelessly.

Bury had their best opportunity on the half hour mark.

A mix up in the Newman back four allowed Scott Lindsay through on goal, but his shot was straight at the keeper and another chance had gone.

Although Bury had almost all of the possession, in their urgency to score they wasted numerous good opportunities and as the half time whistle blew you could sense the apprehension amongst the Bury players.

The second half started, much to the dismay of the Newman team, just as the first ended.

Bury had all of the possession and were trying desperately to get the opener.

It should have come following superb work from Pete Hickford on the left.

He broke with pace and played a superb ball across the face of goal.

It evaded all except Pietro Carinci on the far post, but when it seemed easier to score he could only find the side netting.

Inspiration was required and when manager Mike McMahon brought fresh legs on it soon had the desired effect.

Substitutes Babookar Njie and Tony Jackson combined to play in Gary Edwards down the right and he drifted in a somewhat hopeful ball to the near post.

It seemed to be heading into the keepers hands until from nowhere, Hickford appeared and finished with a superb diving header.

It was a goal Bury deserved but threatened never to materialise.

The remaining minutes saw Bury continue to push for a second goal but when the final whistle blew they were happy just to get all three points.

Newman were happy to concede just the one goal when on another day it could have been five.

It was a gutsy team performance from Ammies, but Pete Hickford and Gary Edwards were particularly impressive.

BURY AMATEURS: Hobson, Carinci, Birchenough, Gibbons, Holdsworth, Stephens, Hickford, Lyndsay, Johnson, Edwards, Subachus.

l An excellent start to the New Year then, following on from what was an excellent 2004 for all associated with Bury Amateur AFC.

Amongst other things the club successfully merged with Drinkwater Warriors and have been able to implement some of the changes needed.

The first team are pushing for league honours and their focus has been indicative of the change sweeping through the club.

The Prestwich Conservative Club has provided a superb facility in which to entertain visiting teams and host various social events, most recently of which was the very successful Christmas Party.

The club and its members are still extremely ambitious and in line with their policy of improvement they are still seeking further sponsorship, players and anybody that would simply like to be a part of what is happening.

The teams train from 6pm - 10pm at Castlebrook High School, and if anybody wishes to be involved in any capacity please contact Mike McMahon on 07932 650091 or Nick Kingston on 07770 447180.