Five Takeaways as Ravens are Shaken by Bury

Bury’s visit to face FC Isle of Man saw a crowd of just under 2,500 at the Bowl for what is believed to be the highest league attendance for a Ravens game since the promotion season two years ago.

The game finally took place on Sunday morning after issues with fog and a war of words between the clubs over alternative plans saw the game delayed from Saturday evening.

Sadly for the home side two Sam Burns goals were enough to ensure the league leaders took the three points back to Gigg Lane, with the game highlighting some of the difficulties the Ravens have in trying to get out of NWCFL Premier Division.

Different League 

Bury’s liquidation and comeback, despite the ongoing online civil war between some fans, is largely a feel good story, but they do find themselves in a league that the club doesn’t think it belongs in.

That could be accused of being big-headed of the Shakers, indeed fans calling NWCFL a ‘tin pot league’ hardly hides the contempt some have for this level, but football is after all a sport where you get what you deserve. However, while Bury’s travelling support may have enjoyed a weekend here, they clearly don’t want to be back for a league game and if their current form holds up, the Shakers will be going up coming the end of the season.

Contained

The Ravens made a good impression on the game, they certainly weren’t overawed by their visitors, but they never really looked like ever scoring. There were a few fleeting moments, such as Dean Pinnginton firing wide and Frank Jones’ dipping effort just clipping the bar, but it was a frustrating afternoon for the Doyle, Higgins and Pinnington front three which has been so clinical in recent weeks.

Given some of the beatings Bury have given out this season, the Ravens can’t be downtrodden about their results, but they have come away from two games, home and away, against a side up where they want to be without scoring.

Big Ben Bounced Back

Time for some positives, Ben Wilkinson gave away the penalty which led to the opening goal and was beaten to a ball through for the second.

Despite this, he kept the Ravens in it at times, showing his cool to charge down a similar ball to the one which led to the penalty and making some smart saves. He wouldn’t have been the first keeper to collapse after giving away a pen, but he showed maturity in how he reacted and will only get better because of this game.

The Conspiracy

No, not the NWCFL rumours spouted online, the home fans.

While the away fans made a lot of noise, the home fans turned up in big numbers to support the Ravens. While Bury will be a draw factor, the home fans made themselves heard and enjoyed themselves, hopefully this will keep them coming back and while it wasn’t the Ravens day, there have been some good performances recently and there will be again.

Next Season

There is plenty of football to play yet this season, the Ravens still have 13 games left to play, but they’ve seen the quality needed to be at the top of this league and what they will need to do to be up there, question for Paul Jones and his coaching team is how to get there?