Bury FC: Phillips on fire as Shakers give hope

WHOEVER first coined the phrase "football's a funny old game" must surely have had matches like this in mind.

Anyone who witnessed this enthralling clash either on TV or at a packed Gigg Lane would have been amazed to think that there was even a chance of these teams leaving Division One by opposite doors.

It was Sunderland's night, clinching promotion with a stunning 5-2 triumph to the delight of their amazing fans who made up over half of the 8,669 crowd, Gigg's biggest of the season.

But the Shakers put in probably their most impressive display of the campaign yet still ended up on the end of a thumping defeat.

The final result was a travesty, but the blame can largely be laid at the door of one man - Kevin Phillips.

The classy Sunderland goal ace was in unstoppable form blasting four goals, including a 23 minute first half hat-trick, as the Bury defence went into Fred Karno mode just at the wrong time.

Rarely, if ever this season, have the Shakers carved out as many chances against the opposition and even Sunderland boss Peter Reid said that no team had troubled his side as much all year.

That, and the news that Neil Warnock will be continuing with a cavalier attacking approach in the final four games, must give heart that the drop can be avoided.

In an atmosphere reminiscent of the championship-clinching clash against Millwall two years ago it was the Shakers who threatened to break the deadlock in the early stages.

Dean West, Darren Bullock and Nick Daws all troubled 'keeper Thomas Sorensen inside the first four minutes but it was the visitors who drew first blood in controversial circumstances.

Nicky Summerbee picked up the ball ten yards outside the box and fired a powerful drive that Kiely could only parry. Phillips reacted first but when Chris Swailes lunged in to clear the Sunderland striker went to ground and referee Mr Stretton had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Phillips made no mistake, blasting his spot-kick into the centre of the goal as Kiely went to the left.

If the Wearsiders thought the Shakers would capitulate after that setback they were mistaken as they poured forward in search of a leveller.

Warnock's decision to revert to a flat back four gave the four man midfield of Chris Billy, Daws, Bullock and West plenty of opportunity to get up and support front men Derek Lilley and Laurent D'Jaffo.

And that hard-working twosome gave former Shaker Paul Butler and his colleagues plenty to think about.

In the 23rd minute Lilley's tenacity won him the ball on the edge of the box and he slipped it into the path of Bullock who rifled a superb 20-yarder into the top corner, giving Sorensen no chance.

Unfortunately for the home contingent it all went pear-shaped from there in an amazing ten minute spell.

Fifteen seconds after the restart Kiely and Swailes collided trying to cut out a right wing cross from Summerbee and the ball fell for Niall Quinn who won't have scored an easier goal in his career.

The misery continued in the 31st minute when the Shakers squandered three chances to clear the ball in the box before it ricocheted to Phillips who gave Kiely no chance from 10 yards.

Two minutes later it was four when Bullock missed his headed clearance and Phillips was left completely unmarked to "shin" Allan Johnston's corner kick past a despairing Kiely.

And it could have been worse for Bury as Kiely superbly pushed a Johnston effort over the bar and Quinn was inches wide of the post with a first time shot. After the break Daws and Bullock tightened up the midfield and the visitors found openings a lot harder to come by.

With Billy and West getting forward down the flanks it was the Sunderland goal that came under the most pressure and it paid off in the 65th minute when a neat back heel by Bullock gave Daws the opportunity to drill a superb effort past Sorensen from the edge of the box.

The goal heralded Bury's best spell of the game and, rattled by the insolence of Bury's response, the champions-elect get a distinct case of the wobbles.

A minute later Billy found himself clean through with only Sorensen to beat but could only drill his low effort against the legs of the Danish 'keeper then seconds later Peter Schmeichel's understudy was relieved to gather Swailes' overhead kick after it came off the post straight into his arms.

As the volume went up from the celebrating travelling fans in the dying seconds they were rewarded with the cherry on the icing as Phillips rounded off a memorable night for him by superbly curling in his fourth goal past Kiely from 20 yards.

Marvellous scenes ensued after the game as the irrepressible Wearsiders, led by boss Peter Reid, deservedly took a bow in front of their adoring multitude.

And in a show of sportsmanship that makes you proud to be associated with this great game, a sizeable number of Shakers fans stayed behind to applaud both Sunderland supporters and team alike - it was one of those nights!

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.