Nev’s pep talk does it for the Shakers

DAVID FLITCROFT was thankful to Gary Neville for delivering an inspirational speech to his Bury squad prior to their impressive win at Cambridge United.

The Shakers went ahead through captain Nathan Cameron before Tom Soares doubled Bury’s advantage early in the second half to leave Flitcroft beaming.

“I can’t tell you how impressed I have been with the player’s preparation after last week’s abandonment against Southend,” he said.

“They looked at the table after Saturday and could quite easily have said the play-offs would be acceptable. But the belief has been great recently.

“I got Gary Neville in to do a speech up at Carrington, it was inspirational to every single player and member of staff. Some of the things he spoke to us about have definitely been adhered to, and I can’t thank him enough.

“We’ve wanted more than the play-offs all season. There’s an emotional drive behind the team and the way we moved the ball was outstanding.”

Play started with Bury’s first free-kick after just 12 seconds and a subsequent wayward header by Ryan Lowe.

Cambridge then responded when Ryan Donaldson unleashed a lethal 30-yard shot, which Bury keeper Nick Pope did well to tip over the crossbar.

Sustained Bury pressure resulted in the first goal when Danny Mayor lofted the ball back into the area for Cameron to control and score the simplest of tap-ins.

A spectacular onehanded save by U’s goalkeeper Chris Dunn stopped a Mayor shot on half-hour.

Things got worse for the U’s when after just eight minutes of the second period, Lowe played the ball in to Soares who made no mistake from six yards. The home side struggled to get a foothold in the game until three changes gave them fresh impetus, with substitute Matt Harrold blazing over only a minute after coming on.

And with 20 minutes left, centre-back Josh Coulson nearly headed into his own net after a flowing Bury move.

Cambridge manager Richard Money readily admitted his team were outclassed.

He said:“I think they might be the best team in the league just now. It was always going to be a really tough game for us.

“There were periods in the game where we can take some comfort; I thought we started well.

“In the first half there was nothing in it. Once they got the second goal they were able to play a bit more.

“They keep the ball so well, so it was a very difficult afternoon.”