Michael Cole’s first goal of the season proved enough to fire Fulham past a spirited Bury side at Craven Cottage this afternoon.
Cole latched onto an intelligent through ball from midfielder Justin Skinner to fire a fabulous first-time angled shot past Simon Farnworth in the Shakers’ goal. It was a rare moment of quality in a dreary contest that saw Fulham’s front line suffocated by the experienced pairing of Kenny Clements and Mark Higgins at the heart of the visitors’ defence. The home side struggled to break down the Bury backline, which was protected by the industrious Phil Parkinson, and their liveliest usual outlet – winger Clive Walker – was substituted following 56 off-colour minutes.
Cole did much more than just poach the only goal of the game, showing some deft touches as he dropped deep to see more of the ball, whilst Gary Barnett sent in a succession of hopeful crosses from the right flank but Higgins and Clements were equal to pretty much everything Fulham threw at them after the concession of an early goal.
An exasperated Fulham boss Ray Lewington admitted afterwards: “It’s good to have come off the field playing as badly as we did and get something. We never put three passes together in the whole ninety minutes”. Lewington is still seeking an experienced midfielder to knit together his side’s attacks – and on this afternoon’s evidence, you can certainly understand why.
FULHAM: Stannard; Langley, Elkins, Eckhardt, Thomas, Skinner, Barnett, Wilson, Walker (Marshall 56), Cole, Sayer. Subs (not used): Davies.
GOAL: Cole (8).
BURY: Farnworth; Bishop, Hughes, Higgins, Hill, Clements, Lee, Hoyland, Parkinson, McIlroy, Brotherston (Entwistle 67), Robinson.
ATTENDANCE: 3,754.
