Flitcroft’s men move into the top six
BURY boss David Flitcroft believes the fact his newly-promoted side are top scorers in League One shows how much they care about the club.
Shakers captain Nathan Cameron headed the only goal of the game against Port Vale 13 minutes from time after a string of saves from visiting goalkeeper Jak Alnwick had thwarted the hosts in the opening period.
Cameron’s goal not only secured Bury’s third straight league win but also saw them move up to sixth and become the division’s top scorers with 15 so far this term.
“We’ve scored the most goals in the league, so our start shows these boys are having an incredible go for this football club,” he said.
“I’m delighted with the game, delighted with the three points and delighted with the start we’ve had.
“All credit to this group of players they’ve had to dig in at times and I thought once we went in front we were really resolute and it didn’t even look like they’d get back in the game – mainly because of our defensive shape.”
Buoyant after last week’s 3-1 victory at promotion favourites Sheffield United, Bury started brightly and the visitors were indebted to goalkeeper Jak Alnwick early on.
Alnwick denied the hosts twice within the space of seconds in the sixth minute. First pushing away Danny Mayor’s curling effort and moments later he was on hand again to palm away a fierce drive from Jacob Mellis.
Alnwick continued to edge his duel with Mellis, this time saving low at the midfielder’s feet after the former Barnsley man had burst into the box in the 20th minute.
Uche Ikpeazu mustered the Valiants’ best effort of the match just before the break, turning adroitly inside the box and firing low at home goalkeeper Rob Lainton after receiving Ben Purkiss’ pass.
Despite seeing more the ball in the second half, Vale struggled to fashion any meaningful chances and were made to pay for their toothless attack late on as Cameron had the final say, towering above a crowd of players to head in Chris Hussey’s corner to give the home side all three points.
“If you don’t concentrate for the full 94, 95 minutes you get punished and that was the case today,” said Vale boss Robert Page.
“I thought we played well, we haven’t created many chances if I’m being picky. But irrespective of what happens it says tomorrow morning we’ve lost 1-0.
“Big Uche (Ikpeazu) was always a threat and we would’ve taken a point and a clean sheet but it wasn’t to be and we got done 1-0.”