Jamie Menagh’s second-half penalty secured an important win for Lower Breck over Bury AFC after Tom Williams headed the hosts in front.
The three points makes it two wins from their previous two league matches, three in all competitions after their FA Vase penalty shootout win over Daisy Hill.
Just eight minutes into the first-half, it was the hosts who opened the scoring. A deep free-kick for Lower Breck was met by Williams at the far post, the midfielder rose highest and expertly found the bottom corner.
It was an evenly matched clash throughout with both sides exchanging attacks, although Andy Welsh’s side enjoyed a number of sustained attacks on the Lower Breck goal in the first-half.
Former Marine striker Niall Cummins carved one of their best openings when he brilliantly held up play before spinning and firing left-footed straight at Theo Roberts.
The Lower Breck goalkeeper was called into action again after he was forced to turn a long-range effort round the post which was made trickier by the wet conditions.
Following the restart, the visitors were almost level. An out-swinging cross from the Shakers wasn’t clearer, falling to Harry Brazel but after a deflection off of the Breck defender saw it rebound into the grateful arms of the ‘keeper.
At the other end, great wide play from Menagh saw him burst into the box and cut back for MJ Monaghan, the attacker tried a cheeky backheel but it was too close to Jack Atkinson.
Shortly after the hour mark, Monaghan was involved again. His determination and persistent running saw him nip in beyond Jake Kenny, his pace was too much for the Bury defender who downed the attacker leaving Jake Lambert no option to point at the spot.
Menagh stepped up and sent Atkinson the wrong way, firing into the bottom left corner.
Bury almost immediately halved the deficit. Jonathan Hunt rose highest from a corner and headed goalwards but a goal-saving clearance from Stuart Crilly saw the ball bounce off the bar and away from danger.
Stuart Crilly almost added a third as he raced through on goal but last-ditch defending from Matthew Williams denied a shot on goal.
Substitutes Ste Milne and Tom McNamara combined with the last action of the match. The FA Vase-winner steered his pass to McNamara who went one-on-one with Atkinson but he was brilliantly denied by the right outstretched leg.
Williams and Menagh’s goals proved to be the difference in the end.
Match Stats:
Lower Breck 2-0 Bury AFC
Goals: 8′ Tom Williams, 62′ Jamie Menagh (pen).
HT/FT Score: 1-0/2-0.
