Taylor’s got the ‘derby buzz

Chris Taylor

ATHLETIC forward Chris Taylor is “buzzing” ahead of his first ever showdown with Bury — and hopes supporters of both teams turn out in their droves.

The Shakers make the short trip to Boundary Park for the first time since September, 2001, when the hosts ran out 4-0 winners.

On the mark were Lee Duxbury — now the club’s reserve team coach — Matthew Tipton, who leads the line for Portadown, Carlo Corazzin, who retired in 2006 after a spell with Vancouver Whitecaps, and Mark Allott, now at Chesterfield.

Derbies carry extra significance for local lad Taylor, who sees the npower League One clash as an opportunity to move on from the 3-3 draw at Carlisle last time out, in which Paul Dickov’s side surrendered a three-goal lead.

Taylor said: “I have never played against Bury before so it will be a new experience for me.

“I am buzzing to get back on to the pitch and attempt to get three points which can hopefully push us back up the league table, and I know the rest of the lads feel the same way.

“The way this division is panning out one win can lift you towards the play-off positions.

“Derbies are the games you live for. They are special one-off occasions in which you are desperate to do well so the fans have something to shout about.

“It should be a great atmosphere at Boundary Park. I fully expect Bury to bring at least 1,000 supporters and I hope plenty of our fans come along as well.”

Taylor, who for the second successive away match operated out wide as part of a 4-5-1 formation at Carlisle, is not dwelling on the dramatic events which unfolded at Brunton Park but urged people to acknowledge Athletic’s impressive first-half display.

He added: “We accept the criticism that comes with losing a big lead, but it is also important to remember that for the first 44 minutes we played our best football of the season.

“I think we could have been four or five goals to the good by half-time, but they got their goal and then we tried to sit back.

“A bad team does not go 3-0 up at Carlisle, but a good team does not throw away a commanding lead, so we are probably somewhere in the middle.

“It was our mentality after the break that let us down. The system worked — I am comfortable in the 4-5-1 set-up, but I am fine with any formation. I just enjoy playing.”