Lowe happy as Bury break down Stevenage

Posted Sunday, November 18, 2018 by PA

Bury boss Ryan Lowe saluted his team’s patience after they finally saw off 10-man Stevenage 4-0 thanks to a scintillating second-half showing.

The Shakers have now scored 16 goals in their last four games in all competitions and Lowe saluted another impressive attacking display.

Jay O’Shea scored twice with Danny Mayor and Eoghan O’Connell also on target, all after the first-half dismissal of Stevenage’s Kurtis Guthrie.

He said: “It might not look like it now, but we knew this would be a tough game against Stevenage.

“We knew we’d find it tough to break them down, and that’s how it panned out.

“Dino (Maamria) has got them resilient, they’re well-organised and they get in your faces.

“The sending-off helped us, though, undoubtedly. In the second half you saw that ruthlessness from us again.

“We knew that was coming. I even said that to the lads at half-time.

“We’ve got lots of players who are capable of creating chances, and it’s nice to see lots of different lads chipping in with the goals.

“Overall I’m happy of course, I’m pleased – that’s three more good points as we look to achieve something this season. We’ve been clinical and I can’t be any happier.

“We’ve got a good squad here this season, and good strength in depth. We’ve had to be patient today but we’re definitely doing the right things.”

The visitors were reduced to 10 shortly before the break when Guthrie saw red following an ugly challenge on Bury defender Adam Thompson.

Finally Stevenage’s resistance was broken in the 63rd minute. Mayor touched the ball to O’Shea and he fired clinically home from 20 yards.

Mayor’s strike and O’Shea’s perfect free-kick made it 3-0 before substitute O’Connell crashed home a fourth from 25 yards.

Dejected Stevenage boss Maamria aimed some of his frustration at referee Tom Nield after the heavy defeat.

“I was amazed by some of the decisions in the first half,” said Maamria.

“Byron Moore clearly dived twice then Callum Styles’ two-footed challenge was a clear red card, then when he gave one to Kurtis I thought, ‘Wow’.

“If he gave both a red, I’d probably get it but to give one yellow and one red was unfair.

“When Kurtis challenged, their goalkeeper ran 50 yards and their centre-forward 40, it was a scandalous reaction. I picked up a yellow card as I was really frustrated.

“But it was a difficult afternoon for us. The first goal killed us a bit and the others were from mistakes.

“Once the second had gone in we faced a huge mountain, and in the end Bury have capitalised so credit to them for that.

“I’ve learned a lot about the players today. It’s been a difficult one, and that after the game started so encouragingly.”