Key Points
- Bury FC, fielding a much-changed side, suffered a defeat in the Manchester Premier Cup against Curzon Ashton.
- Tony Weston missed a great chance for Curzon Ashton by blazing wide when clean through on goal; Regan Riley’s deflected shot tested Bury keeper Saunders.
- Bury dominated the first half, with Stepans’ lob cleared off the line and Kai Evans missing a shot after being played through.
- Bailey Sloane’s mazy run from left back led to a thumping effort saved by Curzon keeper Callum Hawkins.
- Bury took the lead just before half-time through Alagie Touray’s first goal for the club, controlling a cross from Evans and finishing low.
- In the second half, Evans hit the crossbar with a curling effort; Ryan Atkinson nearly stole the ball from Hawkins, but Stepans missed the follow-up.
- Curzon Ashton gained control, with Ben Darby blocked, Harry Olufowobi’s close-range shot and a header saved brilliantly by Saunders.
- Jimmy Spencer robbed Bury’s defence on the hour mark to set up Tony Weston for an equaliser from close range.
- Weston was denied a second by another Saunders save in a one-on-one; Touray was felled in the box but no penalty awarded.
- Spencer went down under pressure but Curzon’s penalty appeal also denied.
- Curzon took the lead late via Ben Darby’s header from Jordan Richards’ cross after a short corner caught Bury napping.
- Bury’s final chance saw youth player Gerry McCullion set up Josh Ashe’s cross, but Cam Fogerty headed over.
- The defeat ends Bury’s run in the Frank Hannah Cup (also referred to as Manchester Premier Cup) for another season.
Tameside (Bury FC Match Report) January 14, 2026 – A much-changed Bury FC side fell to a narrow defeat against Curzon Ashton in the Manchester Premier Cup, ending their campaign in the competition after a late header from Ben Darby secured victory for the National League North hosts.
The match showcased a gritty battle, with Bury taking an early lead through Alagie Touray but ultimately undone by defensive lapses and Curzon’s resilience. Despite dominating spells, the Shakers could not convert their chances, allowing Jimmy Spencer and Tony Weston to level before Darby’s decisive moment. This result halts Bury’s progress in the Frank Hannah Cup for the season.
What Were the Key Chances in the First Half?
In the opening exchanges, Curzon Ashton threatened first, as Tony Weston blazed wide when clean through on goal, while Regan Riley’s deflected shot had Bury keeper Saunders at full stretch. Bury soon asserted dominance, with Stepans’ lob cleared off the line by a defender; pressure from the Shakers won the ball back, allowing Kai Evans to be played through, though his effort sailed off target.
Bailey Sloane, operating from left back, embarked on a mazy run before unleashing a thumping effort that Curzon keeper Callum Hawkins saved well. The pressure eventually told just before half-time, as a cross from the left by Evans found Touray, who controlled the ball and sent a low effort into the bottom corner for his first Bury goal.
As detailed in the original match coverage, these moments highlighted Bury’s growing control, though Curzon remained dangerous on the break.
How Did Bury Fare After the Break?
Post-interval, the Shakers sought to extend their advantage, with Evans spurning the pick of the chances—his curling effort from the left had Hawkins beaten but crashed off the crossbar. Ryan Atkinson very nearly stole the ball off the foot of the Curzon keeper; Stepans won the loose ball but missed the target with his shot.
These early opportunities began to dry up as Curzon, the National League North side, took control. Ben Darby saw a shot blocked by the Bury defence, while Saunders was called upon to make a brilliant save from a close-range effort by Harry Olufowobi, followed by another strong stop on a header from a corner.
The match report notes that Bury’s initial momentum faded, allowing Curzon to press forward with increasing threat.
Who Scored the Equaliser and How?
The equaliser arrived on the hour mark, as Jimmy Spencer robbed the Bury defence and played in Tony Weston to tap home from barely a yard out. Weston nearly claimed a second shortly after, played through one-on-one, but Saunders pulled off another brilliant save to deny the Nash forward.
This pivotal moment shifted the game’s balance, with Spencer’s tenacity proving decisive. The coverage emphasises Saunders’ heroics in keeping Bury level longer than might have been expected.
What Led to the Late Winning Goal?
With only minutes until a potential shootout loomed, Curzon took the lead when the Shakers were caught napping on a short-taken corner. Jordan Richards crossed into the box, and Ben Darby headed firmly into the top corner.
Earlier, Bury had pushed for a way back, but chances grew scarce; Touray burst through the center with a thunderous run before being felled in the box, though no penalty was awarded. The hosts rushed upfield and saw their own appeal denied when Spencer went down under pressure from the Bury defense.
In the dying embers, one final Bury attack materialised: youth player Gerry McCullion ran the play out to the right wing, setting up Josh Ashe to cross into the box, but Cam Fogerty got his head to the ball only to send it harmlessly over the bar.
Why Did Bury’s Much-Changed Side Struggle?
Bury fielded a significantly rotated squad, which may have contributed to their inability to hold the lead and convert dominance into victory. Players like Touray marked his first goal, while youth involvement from McCullion signalled a developmental focus amid the Shakers’ lower-league travails.
Curzon’s experience in the National League North shone through, particularly in set-pieces and counter-attacks led by Spencer, Weston, and Darby. Saunders’ multiple saves underscored Bury’s resilience, but lapses at critical junctures proved costly.
The defeat caps Bury’s run in the Frank Hannah Cup—also known as the Manchester Premier Cup—for another season, prompting reflection on squad depth and finishing prowess.
Match Impact and Broader Context
This result eliminates Bury from the competition, shifting focus back to league matters for the Shakers. Curzon Ashton advance, buoyed by Darby’s late heroics and Spencer’s assist.
Standout performers included Touray for his goal, Evans for chances created, and Saunders for his saves, though Weston’s tap-in and Darby’s header defined the outcome. The game exemplified football’s fine margins, with Bury rueing missed opportunities like Evans’ crossbar strike and Stepans’ efforts.
