DAVID SALUTES HIS WARRIORS
BURY manager David Flitcroft hailed his new-look team of “warriors” as they fought their way to victory at Gigg Lane.
A penalty from Neil Danns – one of six Bury debutants – and substitute Kelvin Etuhu’s late strike was the difference in a dull clash.
And Flitcroft maintained he was unconcerned by the laborious spectacle.
“I’ve brought some real men in, some warriors, some fighters, players who really want to play for the club,” he said.
“I had some players last season who didn’t, so that’s a fantastic starting point for me.
“When I played here I really wanted to play for Bury Football Club and this group of players really do want to play for the club and I’m delighted with how the squad’s shaping up.”
Jacob Mellis registered one of few early efforts on goal when he drove through the centre of midfield and fired a 25-yard shot narrowly wide.
The visitors started the second half livelier and nearly took the lead in the 54th minute when Ricky Holmes cross-cumshot from the by-line struck the bar.
With his side flagging, Flitcroft threw on Danny Mayor and another debutant Zeli Ismail in an attempt to spark them into life – a decision that paid off.
Mayor was the first to make his mark when he flicked Danns’ free-kick towards the top corner with 20 minutes remaining, only for Declan Rudd to tip his effort over the bar.
But the Shakers were not to be denied as from the resulting corner Jason Pearce bundled over Nathan Cameron in the box and referee Nigel Miller pointed to the spot.
Danns side-footed low to Rudd’s right and though the Norwich loanee guessed the correct way, he was unable to prevent the spot-kick from nestling in the bottom corner.
Bury made the game safe three minutes from time when Ismail’s corner was headed back across goal by Tom Pope to the feet of Etuhu whose effort was cleared by Pearce, but, crucially, after the ball had crossed the line.
And Addicks boss Russell Slade bemoaned his side’s inability to do the basics right.
“We will struggle if we don’t value the basics,” said former Cardiff manager Slade.
“We’ve conceded from a corner and from the penalty spot and that’s about the basics.
“In the second half we were getting on top at the stage where we didn’t value the basics and we shot ourselves in the foot.
“You don’t want to get off to a disappointing start and that’s what’s happened.”