Work Conquers All

There is something rather symmetrical about our upcoming meeting with Bury at Adams Park this weekend. And who doesn`t like a bit of symmetry? It will be the fourth time in six meetings that we have hosted the Shakers in our second home fixture in August. It will also be the dozenth time we have welcomed them to Buckinghamshire.

Whilst some supporters have taken umbrage at manager Richie Barker's comments during the week when he said:'It's easy to get yourself up for Huddersfield or Sheffield Wednesday, but we do need to pick up points from teams like Wycombe." it would be fair to say that neither set of supporters are going to be getting too giddy ahead of this clash.

There is a quiet air of satisfaction amongst Wycombe supporters at the moment. An unbeaten start to the new campaign, including a first win of the season at Leyton Orient in midweek, has given many fans hope that unlike two years ago we can compete in League One and avoid a battle against relegation. As long as nobody mentions the elephant in the room (oops).

The town of Bury is believed to have existed since the Roman occupation and its` coat of arms bears the motto "Vincit Omnia Industria" which translates as "Work Conquers All." It is one that some might find rather fitting after seeing the Blues put in a tireless display at Brisbane Road that fully illustrated the merits of hard work and a team ethic.

Bury F.C. themselves were formed a year after North Town Wanderers but were elected to the Football League inside ten years and have won the F.A. Cup twice in 1900 and 1903. It wasn`t until ninety years later that they first clashed with the Chairboys. The Town has many famous alumni including comedienne Victoria Wood, Gary and Phil Neville and Cherie Blair.

There haven`t been too many players to have played for both clubs but those that have had that unique honour include Andy Robinson, Nicky Reid, Miguel De Souza, George Clegg, Bas Savage and Jon-Paul Pittman. Reid actually made his debut when the sides first met on the edge of the Chiltern Hills. It was March 1994 and goals from Simon Garner and Dave Carroll earned a 2-1 victory.

The Shakers won 1-0 on their next visit in the dog days of Alan Smith`s reign but it was post-millennium until they returned and were sent packing as Sean Devine bagged a hat-trick in a 3-0 win. Nine months later a Jamie Bates` brace earned a 2-1 victory. Bury took the points on their next two visits. They won 2-0 in March 2002 when the most memorable event was the malfunction of the brand new scoreboard.

Three years later they overturned an early Roger Johnson goal to win 2-1. That was the last time they returned up the M40/M6 with anything to show for their efforts as they have lost their last five games at Adams Park. We even scored their only goal for them in that time.

They were on the wrong end of a 4-0 thrashing in 2005 with Gormania in full affect with Johnson, Tommy Mooney and Tyson twice getting on the score sheet. They were then beaten 3-0 exactly a year later when striker Jermaine Easter bagged a hat-trick to announce his arrival. Fans favourite Sergio Torres scored the winner which sealed a 1-0 win at the start of the 2007/08 season.

In January 2009 goals from Matt Harrold and a sublime piece of skill from loanee Angelo Balanta sealed a 2-1 win. Defender Mike Williamson sliced the ball into his own net in injury-time and of course the season climaxed on the final day with the Wanderers finishing level on points and promoted by virtue of a superior goal difference of one.

Last season the Blues battled to a crucial 1-0 with Scott Rendell tucking home a second half winner. In the eleven previous meetings at Adams Park there has yet to be a draw with Wycombe winning eight and Bury just three. What odds on a 1-1 draw on Saturday? (7/1 with William Hill)

"All that`s left are memories"

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