Preview: Bury v Fleetwood Town

12 November 2018

Fleetwood Town take on Sky Bet League Two side Bury in their third and final Group B match in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday evening at 7.45pm.

Bury go into the game as favourites to win, however the Cod Army have never lost against the Shakers in the nine previous meetings between the two sides.

Joey Barton spoke to the media following Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup win over Alfreton Town, and provided an update on who could feature on Tuesday night…

“Ched Evans had a little bit of a sore ankle, so we didn’t want to risk him. Craig Morgan had a little bit of an illness, a family illness which he’s contracted so he’s been in quarantine and kept away from all the players so he doesn’t pass the lurgy on to them. Hopefully he’ll be fine whether it’s for Tuesday night or not, I’m not sure but we’ve got a fit and healthy squad.

“Conor McAleny is on the way back, Dean Marney is nearly there, his calf was a little bit tight so we didn’t want to risk him today but we are getting back to the numbers we want, which is everyone available for selection.”

Last five results in all competitions (from the left):

Fleetwood Town: W L W L L (Currently 12th in Sky Bet League One)

Bury: W W L D W (Currently 10th in Sky Bet League Two)

Last time we met…

The last time Fleetwood and Bury met was in the Checkatrade Trophy 3rd Round back in January at Gigg Lane. Town came away victorious, winning 3-2 on the day thanks to goals from Jordy Hiwula - who scored a brace - and a Bobby Grant penalty.

Fleetwood have won the last three previous meetings against Bury, 3-2, 2-0 and 3-2, two of which were away from home.

Tuesday will see the two teams meet for the first time since last season.

One to Watch

Nicky Maynard, the ex-West Ham, Cardiff, Wigan and Aberdeen striker, is Bury’s one to watch on Tuesday evening.

Maynard is a very experienced football league player with 205 Championship, 89 League One and 8 League Two appearances - scoring an impressive 99 goals. The Englishman has also played in the Europa League (qualifying rounds) during his spell at Aberdeen.

The 31-year-old forward has had a great start with Bury this season being directly involved in eight goals in eight games (six goals, two assists). Maynard has averaged a goal every 106 minutes in the league, so far.

The former Premier League striker joined Bury in late September 2018, having left Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, in the summer. Initially the deal was only until January but after recent impressive performances, a contract extension to the end of the season has been agreed.

Betting Preview

Town go into the game as slight underdogs, as they are yet to win in Group B of the Checkatrade Trophy. The Cod Army are priced at 15/8, but a draw is 23/10.

Bury are priced at 5/4, and have won one and lost one in the group so far, which means all is to play for come Tuesday.

Chris Long has one goal in two starts in his Checkatrade Trophy campaign, and for the 23-year-old to score first, you can currently get odds of 15/2, with either Ged Garner or Harrison Biggins to open the scoring at 7/1.

For Fleetwood to win 3-0, 3-1 or 3-2, you can get odds of 17/2.

Please gamble responsibly. All odds are subject to change.

Ticket information

The club have not received an allocation of tickets for this game, as all tickets for the game on Tuesday evening, kick-off 7.45pm, must be purchased on the day.

There will be no coach provided for travel.

Town fans will be housed in Blocks G, H and I of the Main Stand at Gigg Lane, with home supporters in the remainder of the stand.

The prices for the tickets are below:

Adults - £10

65+, 16 and Under, Disabled - £5

Turnstiles on the evening will be cash only.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report: Fleetwood exit Checkatrade Trophy after defeat at Bury

13 November 2018

Fleetwood Town were eliminated from the Checkatrade Trophy after a 3-1 defeat to Bury at Gigg Lane on Tuesday night.

All four goals came in the first half with Kyle Dempsey’s early strike cancelled out by goals from Dominic Telford, Chris Dagnall and Nicky Adams.

Joey Barton made eight changes to the team from Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Alfreton Town in the Emirates FA Cup. Nathan Sheron and Cian Bolger retained their places, with Conor McAleny and Dean Marney amongst the substitutes.

The home side had the game’s first chance after four minutes. Adams’ curling free-kick from outside the box evaded everyone, including Town keeper Paul Jones, and thankfully sailed just wide of the back post.

It took just 15 minutes for Fleetwood to open the scoring. Dempsey picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park and unleashed a fierce drive past Matthew Hudson, who could get nowhere near the thunderous strike.

However, the visitors’ lead only lasted seven minutes. Bury’s Neil Danns went down in the box under a Gerard Garner challenge, and Anthony Backhouse pointed to the spot. Telford confidently stood up and slotted into the bottom right-hand corner to level the tie.

Bolger’s heroics were on hand soon after to ensure the game remained 1-1. He cleared Dagnall’s corner and a few minutes later his sliding tackle prevented a tap-in for the same man. Yet, there was nothing he could do on 32 minutes when the striker put the hosts ahead.

A through ball released Telford inside the Fleetwood box, he prodded it back into the path of Dagnall, who dispatched it past Jones to make it 2-1.

It was three soon after. Ryan Cooney swivelled on the left corner of the box and slipped the ball through to Dagnall. His curling shot was well parried by Jones, but Adams was quickest to react and he slotted the ball home from six yards out.

Town nearly pulled one back soon after. Dempsey fed Biggins who drove into the box and found Garner in the centre. The striker never really looked in control of the shot and it unfortunately went just wide.

Fleetwood were forced into a late substitution in the first period when the injured Eddie Clarke was replaced by youngster Lewis Baines.

Boss Joey Barton also made a double substitution at the break with Conor McAleny and Dean Marney replacing Gethin Jones and Chris Long.

And it was McAleny, playing for the first time since September due to a hamstring injury, who had the second period’s first chance of note, but his curling effort from just inside the Shakers’ box was well held by Hudson.

The away side were well on top at this stage, and came close again a few minutes later, when Harrison Biggins’ first time volley went just wide.

Next it was Bury’s turn to attack. Adams foray down the right wing saw him find Dagnall with a superb cross, but the midfielder’s shot was closed down by several Fleetwood defenders.

The Cod Army were pressing hard to get back into the game, and they nearly did on 65 minutes. Ryan Taylor’s in-swinging corner was met by Biggins and he was unlucky to see it go just over the bar.

Taylor’s set-pieces were proving difficult to deal with, and he nearly found the back on the net from around 25 yards.

Bury continued to drop deeper, limiting chances for Fleetwood, who managed a few speculative efforts from Marney and McAleny.

Their attacks proved to be in vein however, and Barton’s men failed to break down an organised Bury defence.

Substitute Byron Moore did test Jones in the latter stages, but Town’s keeper made a smart save down to his far post.

The play was more end-to-end in the game’s final 10 minutes, with little goal-mouth action in a disappointing evening for Town.

Biggins was forced off in added time due to injury, meaning Fleetwood finished with just ten men.

Bury XI: Hudson (GK), Miller, Stokes (Thompson ’65), Adams, Dignall (Moore ’74), Styles, Edwards, Cooney, Telford, Barjones (Hulme ’90) Danns (c)

Subs not used: Moloney (GK), Omotayo, Shotton, Brown

Town’s XI: P Jones (GK), Clarke (Baines ’45), Dempsey, Bolger (c), Long (Marney ’45), Taylor, G Jones (McAleny ’45), Biggins, Sheron, Garner, Wallace

Subs not used: Cairns (GK), Holt, Hunter, Holgate

Standings