Match Preview

When Saturday 2 February 2002, 3.00pm kick-off
Who and Where BURY (Away, Gigg Lane, League Division Two)
Ticket Info

This game is pay on the day only for travelling Reading fans.

Adults: £14 on the day.
Concessions: £7 on the day.

Travel,
Food and Beer.

The following information is from The Shakers website:

Car parking is available on the streets around the ground, although Gigg Lane itself is closed before the match. Coaches are directed to a parking space by the local police. There are a number of car parks (pay and display) in the town centre.

Directions
From the M66:
Exit the M66 at Junction 3 and turn left (right if heading southbound) onto Pilsworth Road. Go over roundabout by Asda and Megabowl and Cinema complex and continue for about a mile on this road. You go up a hill and then down to a set of lights. Turn right at these lights onto Manchester Road.(Anybody coming from M62 follow directions to Gigg Lane from here) Go past Est Est Est restaurant and Richard Court Rover on your right. Pass Birthdays on your left and go straight through the next set of lights and then over the pedestrian crossing further up. Gigg Lane is now signposted. Continue until you pass playing fields on your left and Starkies Wood on your right. Gigg Lane is then the immediate right turn. On matchdays no cars are allowed to drive up Gigg Lane.
From the M62:
Exit M62 (now M60) at junction 17. At the roundabout follow the signs for Whitefield A56, and Radcliffe A665. After 0.2 miles go over the double set of lights, just after Macdonalds. Carry straight on for 0.8 miles until you reach the Bulls Head pub on your left. Here the road divides. Bear right as this road then becomes Manchester Road. Continue straight along this road passing the Bluebell pub on your left. Now follow directions from the point marked on the directions above (from M66).

Rail Travel
From Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station Bury is reached by the Metrolink Tram Network. Take care not to board the Altrincham or Salford Quays service, or it is vital to change at Piccadilly Gardens. A direct, frequent tram service runs from Piccadilly to Bury Interchange, which is only a mile's, flat, ten minute walk from Gigg Lane.

Miscellaneous
Home crowds at Gigg Lane are poor, so don't expect too much hassle off the Bury fans, while violence is rare.. Bring your own atmosphere, as Gigg Lane can be like a morgue for most of the match. Catering is poor; pricey and bad service. The Manchester Road End is a new all-seater stand behind one goal. For the big clubs with large followings, the new Cemetery End will be allocated too.

Team news

Reading - from: Roberts, Murty, Williams, Mackie, Shorey, Igoe, Hughes, Parkinson, Jones, Salako, Rougier, Cureton, Forster, Henderson, Ashdown, Gamble.

Bury - from: Kenny, Unsworth, Collins, Swailes, Hill, Clegg, Forrest, Borley, Reid, Newby, Seddon, Preece, Lawson, Evans, Connell, Nelson.

Form Guide

Reading's run of form is almost fictional with seven straight wins without a goal conceeded. The current run is a new club record - will it continue against Bury who have such a good history in games against the Royals?

View Latest Second Division Table And Form Table

Previous Meetings 

Bury have traditionally been a team we've struggled against. They're guaranteed to take some points off us when Reading are favourites for the win. Last season that definately wasn't the case with Reading taking a full six points off the side, but earlier this season Bury took a point from Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
Reading wins: 14
Draws: 11
Bury wins: 23
Figures include League, FA Cup and League Cup only.

2001/2002 Season:
Igoe grabbed Reading's only goal earlier this season as Bury took a point from the fixture.
29 September 2001: Reading 1 Bury 1

2000/2001 Season:
Igoe, Cureton and Butler (twice) grabbed the goals that defeated Bury by four goals to one at the Madejski Stadium last season.
14 April 2001: Reading 4 Bury 1
24 October 2000:
Bury 0 Reading 2

1999/2000 Season:
29 April 2000: Bury 1 Reading 1
20 October 1999: Reading 2 Bury 0

Click on the result for match reports.

Match Odds

Odds offered at on-line book maker William Hill:

Predictions The great run to come to an end - with a draw, which won't be bad at all.
What do you think? Enter your Prediction now!
Opposition Site The Shakers
Excellent unofficial Bury website - however, seems to be closed!
Follow the link above for links to further Bury FC information.

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Pre-Match Opinions
At some stage our wonderful run will come to an end. Expectations are such that anything other than a comfortable win, say 2-0, will be a disappointment. The standards set by Pardew's men have been high of late and it is important that they strive to maintain them. A low crowd, poor pitch and probably blustery conditions will not inspire good football. What will be needed will be the grit and determination to work as a unit. It is the work rate that has been so impressive of late. Our record away from the Mad Stad. is better than when we are at home. Good wins for Brighton and Stoke in the week mean that we need to keep marching on and three points from this fixture should be ours if we play like we have been. Don't forget though what happens when your manager has just been given a certain award!
-- Ken C
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