Goals from Peter Valentine, Colin Greenall and Liam Robinson gave Burnley a comfortable victory over a below-par Fulham side at Gigg Lane this afternoon.
Hopes were high that Fulham could match the Shakers after a spirited draw at Stoke City earlier in the week, but the home side took the lead from their very first corner in the fourth minute. Valentine climbed highest to head home a cross from former Fulham midfielder Ronnie Mauge as Mike Walsh’s men punished some poor marking by the dozy Fulham defence.
The Whites did equalise within five minutes as Glen Thomas lashed home a lovely left-footed strike after Bury goalkeeper Gary Kelly could also push out Peter Scott’s cross. But the defender’s first goal of the season was all Fulham took home from Lancashire despite dominating possession and creating plenty of further chances. Kelly saved well from Gary Brazil and Andrew Cole, but Fulham’s set piece vulnerabilities were their undoing once again on the half hour mark.
This time it was centre back Colin Greenall who stole a march on his marker to home home from another Mauge corner to restore Bury’s lead. Any hopes of a comeback were dashed after an hour when the dangerous Liam Robinson scored a superb solo goal, driving past Jim Stannard from distance after dribbling beyond three Fulham defenders. Cole missed a good chance to reduce Fulham’s arrears late on – but the truth was that Alan Dicks’ side were second best in both boxes on a frustrating afternoon.
BURY: Kelly; Valentine, Greenall, Knill, Stanislaus, Wilson (Parkinson 71), Mauge, Flitcroft, Kearney, Robinson, Stevens (Hulme 79).
BOOKED: Mauge.
GOALS: Valentine (4), Greenall (30), Robinson (60).
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Newson, Onwere, Scott, M. Kelly (Georgiou 70), Brazil, Cole. Subs (not used): Morgan.
GOAL: G. Thomas (9).
ATTENDANCE: 2,248.
