Nostell play their part in making history for phoenix club Bury AFC

Nostell MW went down in the history books on Saturday when newly-formed Bury AFC played their first home game at Radcliffe Borough's Neuven Stadium.
Action from Nostell MW's clash with Bury AFC.Action from Nostell MW's clash with Bury AFC.
Action from Nostell MW's clash with Bury AFC.

Welfare provided the opposition for the new Bury club, born from the ashes of the Shakers, who were thrown out of the Football League 12 months ago.

Now, Bury AFC, playing under manager and former Ossett United boss Andy Welsh, are preparing for their inaugural season in the North West Counties First Division North. Their home games will be played at Radcliffe's base, where Bury's first official home outing came in the shape of a friendly against Nostell and attracted significant media attention and interest from football fans around the world.

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Playing as the away side, Bury had lost 3-0 to landlords Radcliffe the previous week and Saturday's milestone home game was watched by a crowd restricted to 150 by FA guidelines.

Nostell’s keeper Lee Kelsey produced a fine save to deny the home side who tried to apply pressure from the first whistle. Nostell’s willingness to get the ball down and play almost brought reward with a Joe Wood effort being cleared off the Bury AFC line on 13 minutes.

Another effort, this time by midfielder Alex Haigh should have been converted for Nostell but he fired wide from close range.

The deadlock was broken on 26 minutes when possession was lost in the Nostell midfield and a ball into the penalty area was met by Liam MacDevitt who opened the scoring for Bury.

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Despite the setback, the young Welfare team continued to create chances.

Playing down the slope in the second half, they were rewarded with the equaliser on 52 minutes. A sweeping move ended with Joe Wood breaking past several Bury defenders to lay the ball into the path of the on-rushing Amir Berchil, whose chip over the advancing keeper found the net.

The tempo of the game remained frantic throughout and both sides took the opportunity to make change,s giving valuable game minutes to both squads in a thoroughly entertaining encounter.

Nostell's home friendly against Goole AFC on Tuesday night was postponed. They entertain Athersley Recreation on Friday evening (7.30pm).

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