KNOWSLEY BOYS U15 1, BURY BOYS U15 2: Bury took on the might of the Merseysiders who had just reached the quarter final of the National Trophy and turned in an outstanding performance to progress to Round Two of the Alder Owen Trophy

The boys' achievement cannot be overstated for although the result came as a surprise to many it was thoroughly deserved.

Possibly Knowsley underestimated the Bury team and by the time they realised that the Bury boys were "up for it" they could not change gear and their finishing, following many chances bordered on the desperate.

With skipper Ross Buckley (St Monicas) out with injury things did not appear promising but the boys began the game in a determined manner and despite much pressure it always looked dangerous on the break where leading marksman Alan Edwards (Prestwich) troubled the Knowsley defence on several occasions with his pace.

After going close twice he finally slotted the ball home after 15 minutes following another 20 yard run.

Unfortunately within a minute Knowsley were level when the defence failed to clear properly and the loose ball was fired in from close range. Against top opposition the Bury lads might have capitulated but their togetherness and energy triumphed and into the second half they were holding their own more comfortably and still looking dangerous on the break.

On one such break Matthew Gaskell (Elton) played an excellent ball in from the right to Edwards who was fouled in the act of shooting. The resultant penalty was powered home by Edwards with 16 minutes remaining.

There were one or two alarms with Andy Sagar (Elton) firing over his own bar from close range, which did not detract from a fine performance from both him and his central defender partner Keiran Davies (Parrenthorn).

Far from being a siege in the last few minutes Bury were still creating chances and the boys can be proud of their performance which hopefully will be repeated in the next round away to mid-Cheshire.