NOFC still search for first win after valiant effortBury Forever B 7-1 NOFC
After encouraging performances against Tranmere and Hurricanes FC, Newcastle-Online travelled to Bury full of confidence but knowing they would face a much more formidable challenge against one of the more established IFA sides.
Their task was made even more difficult by the absence of NOFC regulars Colin, Kev and Disco 'Des' Mark. B
otswana defender Hamish Dunlop and Dutch Striker Akbar Naib-Khill replacing Rance and Moore while Carl and Joel filled the void in the midfield.
Following a delay to kick-off due to traffic and poor navigational sense hampering captain Stu's arrival, NOFC made a bright start, competitive in midfield and holding firm at the back the early signs were good for the visitors. However, their hard work was to be quickly undone by not one but two strokes of bad fortune as a pair of long range Bury efforts within a few minutes of each other deflected off an NOFC defender to evade a stricken Greg Tomlinson and nestle in the net.
2-0 quickly became 3-0 as another attempt from outside the area by Bury paid dividends, Tomlinson this time beaten by a well placed effort with the outside of the boot from the Bury attacker.
Down but not disheartened NOFC kept going, and they quickly dragged themselves back into the game. Good work from captain Dow and left back Nicholas McGee won the away side a free kick just outside the box. Dow stepped up to take the free kick and his inch perfect delivery into the box was met by head of a Bury defender and turned into the net, with a touch of good fortune, the black and whites had the goal their hard graft deserved.
In reality it could have been even closer in the first half as NOFC threatened the Bury goal on numerous occasions Dow sending an earlier free kick
narrowly over the bar and striker Nick Kane having an effort cleared off the line after expertly rounding the Bury keeper.
If NOFC felt that 3-1 was harsh on them following their first half performance then they were certainly aggrieved at conceding a fourth just before the break, sloppy defending from the visitors allowing a Bury man to find free space in the area and fire in a right footed shot into the top corner from close range.
Still NOFC went into the half time interval fairly happy with their play and they came out for the second half fresh with optimism that they could continue to compete with one of the stronger teams they have faced.
Unfortunately the second period proved to be a disappointing one for NOFC as they were unable to add to their tally of goals and found their defence breached on three more occasions as they continued to be susceptible to the counter attack, away keeper Tomlinson beaten twice when one on one with the striker after good through balls slipped their way through a tiring NOFC back four.
Fortune continued to favour the home side and the final goal of the game had more than a touch of good luck about it as Tomlinson somehow managed to get his hand to a lobbed shot only to look back and see the ball just loop into the net for Bury's 7th.
However, NOFC can go away from Greater Manchester with their heads held high as their defence was not to be beaten again and their performance against one of the IFA's top sides represents a marked improvement for a side still in its infancy. They can also be pleased as their recruitment drive continues to pay off Dunlop and Naib-Khill and quickly improving, right back Colin Ocho all playing well, whilst Carl and Joel along with Stu and Deano acted as the midfield engine room. Carl earning himself the Man of the Match award.
Indeed with more depth in the squad and a home game against Whitby Wanderers just around the corner, the first win for this ambitious bunch of geordies can not be far away.
Hope that's ok. Ocho's, Carl's and Joel's last names would be useful
