BEFORE the season kicked off against Tranmere, Bury striker Jon Newby was a worried man writes Steve Canavan of the Bolton Evening News

His pre-season performances had not been upto his usual high standard and, even more worryingly, he hadn't hit the back of the net once.

Newby himself was beginning to fret a little but he need not have worried.

It took just three minutes at Prenton Park to blow away his fears. Newby's early goal - the fastest anywhere in England - set Bury on the way to victory and broke his goal drought.

"It's good to finally get on the scoresheet at last," admitted the striker, signed from Liverpool on a three year deal last season.

"I didn't get that many towards the end of the season and during the pre-season I did not have my shooting boots on, so the pressure is off slightly now.

"The players are buzzing now. A lot of people had us as favourites to go down.

Wrong

"I think we have been quoted as 100/1 for promotion so we have proved a lot of people wrong already. Our first three games are particularly hard so to get three points out of the first is brilliant.

"Tranmere are a very good team when attacking as they have loads of pace. You won't find a better team than them this season, and I thought we dealt with them very well."

Newby, pictured left, is now chomping at the bit to get on the pitch again and can't wait for Saturday's Gigg Lane clash against Queens Park Rangers.

"We will go into that game with a lot of confidence," revealed Newby. "I felt we were very threatening when we went forward on Saturday and we were safe at the back.

"There is no reason why we can't do the same again on Saturday. It's the first home game of the season, the fans will be pleased to see us back at Gigg Lane so we are really looking forward to it."

Newby will again be partnered up front by reborn Indian international Baichung Bhutia.

The pair combined well during the pre-season matches and looked in superb form at Tranmere, forming an understanding which bodes well for the long season ahead.