Joe Duckworth had a debut to remember for Bury as he scored a hat-trick in a resounding 4-0 home win against Wythenshawe Town at Gigg Lane.

Duckworth was one of two new faces for the Shakers with Harry Wright between the sticks also making his bow. Gaz Peet returned to the starting line-up following his suspension and there was a surprise inclusion for Anton Smith on the bench. The dual-registration player had only made one substitute appearance for Bury so far this season.

The Shakers got off to a dream start taking the lead inside of five minutes. Benito Lowe fed the ball to Connor Comber, his cross seemed to be easily claimed by keeper Greg Hall but the veteran stopper spilled the effort right to the feet of debutant Duckworth who tapped home to open the scoring.

Duckworth could have scored a second soon after but he couldn’t quite make a full connection with a header from a Lowe cross.

Bury were by far the more positive side in the opening period with a Comber long-range effort just off target and many surging runs from the likes of Andy Scarisbrick, Gaz Peet, and Jordan Butterworth nearly making connections with the three-pronged attack of Comber, Lowe, and Duckworth. In contrast, the closest the visitors came was a double save by Wright who snuffed out the chance before the Wythenshawe forwards could shoot.

Bury went in at half-time with the lead but with just one goal scored it was a narrow advantage. This quickly changed in the second half, Butterworth winning the ball in the visitors' half slipped the ball to Duckworth who scored his and Bury’s second of the day.

The Shakers pressed on with Scarisbrick and Billy Reeves both testing Hall, a Butterworth cross that just evaded Benito Lowe, and a cross to Comber that was deflected away for a corner. Eventually, the pressure told and Bury had a third. Andy Scarisbrick combined well with Duckworth and Lowe as the three passed their way through a packed defence before Scarisbrick finished off the move he started with a fine finish into the far corner.

There was nearly a fourth soon after when Thomas Moore was fouled in the box from a corner and the referee pointed to the spot. The initial kick by Lowe was saved by keeper Hall but the linesman ruled he had encroached. Lowe again attempted the spot kick only to see Hall save it again!

The home faithful didn’t have to wait long for the next goal, however. A Comber free kick hit the wall, improvising quickly Comber played the rebound out wide to the open Duckworth. His attempted cross-cum-shot was lofted over the head of Greg Hall and into the back of the Wythenshawe net.

Duckworth could even have scored a fourth goal. Played in by Andy Briggs his goalbound shot was blocked by Emmanuel Omorogbe with what appeared to be his hand but appeals for yet another penalty were waved away.

Even in the later stages of the match Bury never stopped searching for the next goal. Their best chance came as Briggs headed a lofted ball towards fellow substitute Lewis Gilboy. Hall made a great save to keep the score at 4-0. Had it not been for the away goalkeeper the final score might have been much higher.