Yet again the defence has let them down in the last 5 minutes.

Bamber Bridge 5 vs Rossendale 0



A STUDENT making his debut helped Bamber Bridge to a comprehensive 5-0 win last night.
Paul Roberts is on the books at Weymouth but has been snapped up while he studies at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston.
The youngster made an immediate impression and taught Rossendale a lesson.
It was his fourth minute cross that let in Steven Brown for a simple tap-in to open the scoring.
If the home team were suffering an FA Trophy hangover they didn't show it and extended their lead after 24 minutes from the penalty spot.
Greg Brickell scored after Ryan Salmon had been tripped in the box.
Just before half-time Danny Mahoney made it 3-0 with an excellent volley from a Steven Brown cross - although he ended up getting booked for his celebrations.
Brig continued the onslaught in the second half and extended their lead on the hour mark in rather comical circumstances.
'Keeper Mark Farnley was trying to see the ball out but hadn't counted on a sliding tackle from Brickell, which left the striker with an open goal.
Brig then started playing exhibition football and made it five when Mahoney applied the finishing touch to a flowing move. Sub Alex Porter's low cross on the left was met at the back post by Mahoney.
Brig could have stretched their lead but the closest they came to a sixth goal was when Brickell hit the post.
It was Bamber Bridge's best result of the season and the crowd of 177 was an improvement on recent midweek attendances.
BAMBER BRIDGE: Newnes, Bain, King, Squires, K Brown, Roberts (Reynolds 75) , S Brown (Noon 80); Mahoney, Salmon (Porter 4, Brickell, Fletcher.

11 October 2006

Wooooooooooooooooooo, C'mon the Bridge. Well Done Salmon my son. Onwards and Upwards for the Bridge now

Hope so think our ryan has picked up an inury tho he was subbed on 48 mins

Was there any official word that he is injured?

Not heared anything as yet i will have to txt my aunty to find out.

Nice1

Bradford Park Avenue 1 Bamber Bridge 0

NPL 1st Division
16th October 2006

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge can count themselves desperately unlucky after going down to a goal scored with virtually the last kick of the game at Bradford Park Avenue. The South Ribble lads had defiantly held their own against a side brimming with confidence following Avenue’s 7-3 drubbing of Clitheroe at the Horsfall Stadium on Saturday. This was an absorbing encounter from start to finish with plenty of good football played and despite the defeat the visiting side included many a hero on the night.

After a welcome break from duty at the weekend Bamber Bridge were looking to pick up the threads after having won their last two games in the First Division recently. Third placed Bradford Park Avenue were eager to continue the form which had seen them win with that remarkable score-line against the east Lancashire side on Saturday.

There was just one change to the Brig starting line-up from the game against Rossendale United the week before. Alex Porter took over the strikers roll from the unavailable Greg Brickell with full-back Allan Fleming taking his place on the bench.

Bradford Park Avenue showed plenty of determination in the early stages and demonstrated just why they are tipped as favourites to return to the Premier Division this season. Veteran striker Simon Parke narrowly headed over a Richard Chattoe cross after 4 minutes as the Yorkshiremen quickly got into their stride.

At the other end a Steve Brown corner caused some consternation in the home penalty box before the danger was cleared.

However, Avenue looked the stronger in the early stages and Tom Greaves was very unfortunate in the 13th minute when he struck the base of the goalpost with a rasping drive from twenty yards out with Brig goalkeeper David Newnes well beaten.

Bamber Bridge responded and two minutes later Porter saw his well placed free-kick touched round the post by alert full-back Steve Robinson.

Speedy wingman Liam Flynn, who was to torment the visitors all night, was beginning to cause problems down Brigs right flank with some jinking runs and as the pressure continued to mount Parke fired just over the bar from distance.

On 20 minutes Kevin Brown saved the day for the Lancastrians when denying Parke with a goal-line clearance after the home striker put in a goal-bound effort at the back post.

Brig were struggling to establish any sort of rhythm when going forward but defended stoutly in the face of determined opposition. They were well served at the back with steadfast performances by centre-backs Kevin Brown and Jamie Squires. Although little was seen of the visitors as an attacking force they did occasionally cause discomfort to the Avenue rearguard. This was exemplified on the half hour mark when a Porter corner created an almighty scramble in the home penalty box.

Some good work again by Parke came to nothing on 40 minutes as he forced his way through and Brig continued to frustrate all of the West Yorkshire sides well created endeavours.

Brig began to find their cohesion with some promising sorties just before the break with Steve Brown, Danny Mahoney and Paul Roberts being particularly impressive.

As at the start of the first half, Bradford opened the second strongly and an excellent run by Flynn created a golden opportunity for Parke but his first touch let him down and Newnes was able to snuff out the danger.

On 55 minutes Gary Shaw missed at the back post after Parke had knocked on a David Cooke corner from the right.

Avenue’s enterprising approach play continually broke down as Brig defended tenaciously but the home side came very close to scoring twice in as many minutes. On 65 minutes a Gary Shaw header was cleared off the line by the irrepressible Kevin Brown and then a cross from Neil Grayson was thundered over the Brig bar with Newnes rooted to the spot.

Newnes was called upon to make an excellent reflex save from a Neil Redfearn blockbuster on 69 minutes, whilst at the other end a Porter free-kick had to be dealt with by Avenue’s Polish goalkeeper Piotr Skiba.

Brig had a mighty let-off on 75 minutes when a Redfearn free-kick was headed onto his own crossbar by Kevin Brown although the Brig man must have known little about it. Then Newnes made the save of the night brilliantly diving to keep out a Redfearn goal-bound effort after a free-kick was tapped on to him by Lee Connor.

The visitors kept plugging away and went very close to snatching the points themselves twice within as many minutes. On 82 minutes Steve Brown saw his shot stopped by Skiba after substitute Karl Noon had carved out an opening and then Noon provided a guilt edged opportunity for Ryan Salmon who perhaps should done better than to fire straight at the exposed Skiba.

Newnes once again denied Simon Parke winning a one-on-one with the striker as he menacingly bore down on goal after 87 minutes.

Just when it looked as though Brig’s resistance would pay off with a deserved point, man-of-the-match Liam Flynn stepped in to break the Lancastrians hearts. Parke had forced his way through some determined defending and slid the ball into the path of the flying wingman who confidently drove home past the advancing Newnes in the dying seconds much to the delight of the relieved home support.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Bain (Noon 54mins), King, Squires, K Brown, Roberts, S Brown, Mahoney (Fleming 54mins), Salmon, Porter, Fletcher. Unused sub : Reynolds.

Unlucky the bridge, another game for the Mr Salmon

Stocksbridge Park Steels 2 Bamber Bridge 0

NPL 1st Division
21st October 2006

By Dave Rowland

Stocksbridge Park Steels proved just too good a side to handle for Bamber Bridge when the South Ribble side went down to a 0-2 defeat at Bracken Moor Lane on Saturday. Whilst not being overly outstanding, ‘Steels’ method of doing the simple things well was enough to see them overcome their Lancashire visitors who looked distinctly out of sorts on the day.

Bamber Bridge once again travelled to Yorkshire in the hope of a return to winning ways following their narrow 0-1 loss at Bradford Park Avenue on the previous Monday. Stocksbridge were hoping to continue a good run of form which had produced four wins in their previous four First Division outings. This included an incredible 9-1 away win at Bridlington Town on the 3rd of October and a fine 3-1 win at Shepshed Dynamo last Wednesday night.

Brig manager Andy Whittaker made three changes to the team which kicked off at Bradford during the week. Allan Fleming came in at right-back replacing the departing Ross Bain, whilst Karl Noon and Greg Brickell were brought in to lead the line replacing Ryan Salmon and Mike Fletcher who took their places on the substitutes bench.

After a quiet start the game suddenly sprung to life with a couple of half-chances going begging at either end. A promising run by Stefan Zoll was brought to an abrupt end when Brig central-defender Jamie Squires adroitly snuffed out the danger with a fine tackle after 10 minutes. Five minutes later a superbly struck Alex Porter cross was spilled by ‘Steels’ goalkeeper Steve Hodgson but no one was on hand to take advantage and the ball was cleared.

Porter and Jimmy King began to look menacing down the left flank for the visitors as Brig strove to make their mark but on 25 minutes the Lancastrians were rocked back on their heals when conceding a goal created with consummate simplicity.

Michael Goddard got the best of Jamie Squires out on the left side of the penalty box and the midfielder calmly placed the ball at the feet of ‘Steels’ leading marksman Zoll who effortlessly tucked his shot home from six yards.

There had been little between the sides up until this point, although the home side had always looked the more threatening when moving forward whilst Brig had lacked the guile to effectively penetrate a determined home defence. Despite this, the game remained a fairly even contest but with little goalmouth incident to excite the spectators.

Just before the interval disaster struck for Brig when they conceded a second goal and you knew then that the game was up for the visitors. A corner whipped in from the right by Dave Cockerill on 43 minutes was headed into his own net by the unfortunate Jamie Squires giving goalkeeper Newnes little chance to save.

In the last action of the first half Porter fired narrowly over Hodgson’s crossbar following good approach play by Danny Mahoney and Greg Brickell.

Bamber Bridge were first out of the blocks in the second period and almost pulled a goal back on 47 minutes when a Porter chip found Mahoney in space but the midfielder had to stretch to reach the ball and knocked his effort tantalisingly just past the post with Hodgson beaten.

Stocksbridge continued to work hard and began to take control. Zoll failed to take advantage of a slip by Squires in the 55th minute shooting high and wide when well placed.

In one of the visitors increasingly rare raids Paul Roberts fired just over from a Steven Brown corner but Brig's play had become fragmented and the Yorkshiremen were calling all the shots.

The Brig defence came under growing pressure and had three near escapes when first a Cockerill corner-kick was powerfully headed over by Darren Schofield on 63 minutes, then, after Goddard had powered his way through, he saw his precision pass driven across the face of goal by Cockerill after 70 minutes, before Zoll shot into the side netting after robbing Kevin Brown inside the penalty box five minutes later.

Newnes brought off a stunning save on 81 minutes to deny Ryan Ludlam who sent in a sizzling drive.

At the other end Alex Porter was desperately unlucky with a free-kick which came down off the underside of the crossbar and somehow Hodgson was able to scramble the ball away from his line as substitute Salmon threatened.

Brig came more into the game late on as Stocksbridge took their foot off the pedal and Salmon came close twice, firstly firing across the face of goal following a knock-on by Brickell and then when just failing to reach a long-ball sent in by Squires.

But at the end of play Stocksbridge deservedly trudged off with the three points after a comfortable display which sees them challenging near the top of the First Division table.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Fleming, King (Salmon 64mins), Squires, K Brown, Roberts (Fletcher 64mins), S Brown (Archer 75mins), Mahoney, Noon, Brickell, Porter.


Attendance: 166

Bamber have gotta start grinding out results!

Yeah they have really hit a slump at the moment i was speaking with my cousin last night and he tells me they have let their captain Ross Bain go he was their best defender

Not a good way to sort the defence out

Here is a pic of me and my cousin Ryan Salmon

Nice1 Ste, hope u said elo from me

Bamber Bridge 3 Clitheroe 1

NPL 1st Division
24th October 2006

By Dave Rowland

The South Ribble side were good value for their 3-1 win in this excellent Lancashire derby. The game had just about everything; passion, power, skill and enough incident to fully entertain the best attendance seen at Irongate this season. Clitheroe’s early power and determination was met head on by a Brig side bristling with ability and resolve. It made for a great game of football which was tarnished slightly when Clitheroe’s James Dean was sent-off after an unseemly brawl had erupted in the 75th minute.

Bamber Bridge were not only eager to return to winning ways following two recent defeats in Yorkshire, but they were also keen to avenge the FA Trophy defeat suffered at Shawbridge just over three weeks ago. On the other hand, Clitheroe must have been feeling good about themselves after making further progress in the FA Trophy on Saturday at the expense of Warrington Town.

Brig manager Andy Whittaker reshuffled his pack from the one that started the game at Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday, but with only one change, that of Mike Fletcher who was brought in at full-back with Jimmy King moving into midfield to replace Steve Brown who started on the bench.

Clitheroe playing in an unaccustomed orange strip set off like their lives depended on the result and threw themselves at the Brig defence with a fury. Indeed, they went very close twice within the opening five minutes.

First, a sweeping cross by Dave Dempsey was volleyed by the inrushing James Dean but the effort was well covered by an alert David Newnes in the Brig goal. Then in the 5th minute Dean shot over following a fine cross-field ball by Kris Mathews.

Brig responded in the grand manner and following a fine through-ball by Paul Roberts, Alex Porter saw his snap-shot turned over for a corner by ‘Blues’ goalkeeper Raymond Francis.

Porter refused to be denied for long and gave the home side the lead on 11 minutes. Greg Brickell found himself in space out on the left and delivered an excellent cross which completely opened up the visiting defence. Porter was on hand and strode majestically forward to dispatch an unstoppable power-drive past the exposed Francis from close in.

Rather than subdue the visitors, the goal seemed to galvanise them into further action and Craig Sargeson fired just over Newnes goal on 15 minutes following a flurry of pressure. Then shortly afterwards a Simon Garner free-kick was headed narrowly past the post by Mathews with the Brig keeper beaten.

The pace of the game was breathtaking and Brig's Danny Mahoney fired just wide from distance before Francis made a brilliant reaction save when palming a Roberts effort around the post on 21 minutes.

Clitheroe’s early menace now began to dissipate but they were unlucky on 40 minutes when a Dempsey shot clipped the heel of a home defender and flashed just the wrong side of Newnes left hand post.

As half-time approached Brickell just failed to control a defence-splitting through-ball from distance by Mahoney, his first touch letting him down.

The second period was to prove just as frenetic as the first and Clitheroe powered into the attack from the off. A Sargeson effort was well saved by Newnes who was forced to dive low near his left hand post to snuff out the danger.

However, Brig stood firm and increased their lead on 51 minutes when a Porter corner-kick was headed home by the unmarked Brickell from close in.

Brig now had their tails up and Francis was called upon to display his skills. First he fisted away a finely placed free-kick by Porter and then tipped a Brickell shot around the post after an excellent interchange of play between Roberts and Mahoney.

However, he could do little to prevent the home team from extending their lead on 60 minutes after the best move of the game totally destroyed the visiting rearguard.

Porter set Noon away down the right and the young striker whipped in a superb cross which found Brickell on the left of the Clitheroe penalty area. Brickell expertly turned his marker and cracked home beyond the despairing dive of Francis for his second goal of the game.

Bamber Bridge now began to dictate proceedings but the visitors remained a threat with some well plotted sorties, one of which almost produced a goal when Darrell Avery sent in a raking shot that just cleared the crossbar on 65 minutes.

They eventually got the goal that their determination and creativity deserved on 73 minutes when Ian Johnson’s cross was deflected into the path of Paul Lamb and the tall ‘Blues’ player thundered home giving Newnes little chance.

The fun wasn’t over just yet and after an unseemly brawl on 75 minutes, Clitheroe’s Dean was sent to the dressing room by referee Mr Pollock and two players, one from each side, were cautioned.

The final minutes of this absorbing derby was played out at the same electrifying pace and with an equal amount of endeavour that had been displayed at the start. Although there was no more goals recorded, the crowd went home happy having witnessed a full blooded Lancashire ‘Hot-Pot’ in the best tradition.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Fleming, Fletcher, Squires, K Brown, Roberts (S Brown 62mins), Porter, Mahoney, Noon (Reynolds 72mins), Brickell (Salmon 62mins), King.


Attendance: 231

I see Salmon came on as a sub only, How did he play ste, do u know?

Bamber Bridge 1 Ossett Albion 3

NPL 1st Division
28th October 2006

By Dave Rowland

The West Yorkshire side had this ‘Roses’ battle wrapped up inside the first 20 minutes against a lethargic looking Bamber Bridge at the Irongate Ground on Saturday. This was a very poor display by the home side who looked vulnerable at the back all afternoon and failed to combat an Albion side who were little more than workmanlike.

Bamber Bridge were keen to repeat the sort of performance which had produced such a fine win over Clitheroe during the week, whilst Ossett Albion for their part, welcomed the chance of a return to league action following a recent three game run of cup football.

Brig manager Andy Whittaker kept faith with the side that had done so well against Clitheroe, the only change being the return of Robin Myers who took Ryan Salmon's place on the bench.

The home side started the brighter but following a couple of early chances they fell behind on 10 minutes after Albion’s first serious attack of the game.

Visiting captain Michael Senior set Daniel Facey away down the right flank and the tall striker’s pin-point cross was met by David Bordman who touched home from just inside the six yard box.

Bamber Bridge were knocked back on their heels and despite Danny Mahoney hitting the crossbar with a fierce free-kick as they strove for a quick reply, they conceded two further goals within the next twelve minutes.

The home defence failed to clear a corner in the 20th minute and Facey took full advantage, turning and shooting through a packed penalty area with the Brig defence in a tangle.

Within two minutes the game was over as a serious contest when Daniel Toronczak forced his way past Brig central defender Kevin Brown and fired beyond the advancing David Newnes in the Bamber Bridge goal.

Ten minutes later Bamber Bridge pulled a goal back when Alex Porter unleashed a rasping 25 yard drive which smacked into the net past a startled Michael Clark in the Albion goal.

The anticipated Bamber Bridge revival after the break just didn’t materialise. Indeed the visitors should have added to their score when both Toronczak and Andrew Seed missed gilt edged chances in the 58th and 62nd minutes respectively.

Brig’s engine room spluttered and struggled to get things going, but gone was the confident swagger so evident in the Clitheroe game. Albion constantly found space down the flanks with both their midfielders Ryan White and Andrew Seed doing most of the damage with some menacingly creative forays.

Bamber Bridge came close on 70 minutes when Kevin Brown just failed to reach a Steven Brown corner-kick, but the Lancastrians looked completely out of sorts as Albion saw out the remainder of the game quite comfortably.

The midweek spark was strangely absent from the home team’s play and they will have to pick themselves up quickly when they face Premier Division outfit Radcliffe Borough in the First Round of the League Challenge Cup on Tuesday night.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Fleming, Fletcher, Squires, K Brown, Roberts (Reynolds 45mins), Porter, Mahoney, Noon, Brickell, King (S Brown 45mins). unused sub : Myers.


Attendance: 151

Bamber Bridge 6 Radcliffe Borough 3

NPL Cup
31st October

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge moved through to the Second Round of the League Challenge Cup competition when overcoming Premier Division side Radcliffe Borough by 6-3 in extra-time in this exciting Irongate encounter after fighting back from 1-3 down in the second half.

Brig took a welcome break from league matters and were hopeful of a return to winning ways following the disappointing defeat at home to Ossett Albion in the First Division on the previous Saturday. Radcliffe Borough were also thankful for the diversion, having struggled somewhat in the Premier Division this term. Indeed, they had secured a meagre two points in their last four outings in the league.

Manager Andy Whittaker made four changes to his line-up from the Ossett Albion game at the weekend. New signing from Altrincham, George Melling made his debut replacing central defender Jamie Squires who was unavailable due to work commitments. Midfielders Neil Reynolds and Steve Brown were preferred to Paul Roberts and Jimmy King whilst Ryan Salmon took over from Karl Noon in leading the attack.

The home side made their intentions known early on when Greg Brickell shot just wide on 5 minutes following a Steve Brown through-ball.

However, the visitors soon got into their stride and began to set the pace with some neat football. Brig were forced onto the back foot but defended stoutly as the pressure steadily mounted.

The game was turned on its head on 19 minutes when Steve Brown broke up a promising ‘Boro’ build-up after winning the ball on the half-way line. He then launched forward on a menacing run which took him into the heart of the visiting defence before threading a neat ball in to Brickell who turned and shot giving visiting goalkeeper Any Johnson no chance to save.

The goal seemed to take the zip out of the Premier Division side and Brig began to take the intuitive. Mike Fletcher opened up the visitors back line with a searching through-ball on 35 minutes but Salmon failed to take advantage of the opportunity.

Five minutes later Chris Downey brought Brig goalkeeper David Newnes into action with a crisp shot from the right as ‘Boro’ responded.

Just before the interval Brickell went close twice as Bamber Bridge looked to increase their lead.

The home side started the second-half disastrously when Fletcher brought down Downey inside the penalty box on 51 minutes and the tall ‘Boro’ striker dusted himself down before confidently dispatching the resultant spot-kick.

This gift lifted the visitors and they began to take their hosts to the cleaners before Downey claimed his second goal after running through a static Brig defence and firing past Newnes.

Bamber Bridge pulled themselves together and following a couple of half chances almost equalised on 65 minutes when a Steve Brown free-kick was tipped over the crossbar by Johnson.

However, Radcliffe increased their lead on 71 minutes when Ryan Fisher forced his way through the Brig defence to set up Downey who claimed his hat-trick firing across Newnes and into the far corner of the net.

Brig fought back gallantly and pulled a goal back on 76 minutes when Brickell put substitute Noon in on goal with a deft flick and the diminutive striker neatly planted his shot past the advancing Johnson.

With Brig now in full flow the equaliser was not long in coming. Brown found himself in space out wide on the right on 85 minutes and his pin-point cross found Porter who sent in a delightful header beyond Johnson’s reach.

After 10 minutes of extra-time Brig reclaimed the lead when a Brickell shot from a Brown cross was palmed away by Johnson, the loose ball falling to the lurking Porter who blasted home from close range.

‘Boro’ were then reduced to nine men when central defender Ian Kearney was sent-off for a second bookable offence. Hat-trick hero Downey had retired injured some time earlier and had not been replaced due to there being no substitute available on the visitors bench.

Brig took full advantage to run in a couple of more goals, the first on 110 minutes when Porter got his hat-trick volleying home a Noon cross. Three minutes later the rolls were reversed when Noon scored his second blasting home a Porter cross delivered from deep on the right.

To there credit the nine men fought on bravely and never gave up the fight.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Fleming, Fletcher (Archer 59mins), K Brown, Melling, Reynolds (Roberts 72mins), S Brown, Mahoney, Salmon (Noon 76mins), Brickell, Porter.


Attendance: 109

What a great game there, c'mon the bridge

Belper Town 1 Bamber Bridge 0

NPL 1st Division
4th November 2006

By Dave Rowland

It was a case of horses for courses at Christchurch Meadow as Bamber Bridge added to their dismal record at the Derbyshire venue with this 0-1 defeat against a workmanlike if unspectacular Belper Town side. A second-half goal by ‘Nailers’ former Gresley Rovers striker Steve Gomm was enough to inflict the ninth league defeat of the season on the punch-less South Ribble outfit. Brig were particularly out of sorts and gave a first-half display that is reminiscent of a team in relegation mode. Despite this, they were ultimately robbed of a point when an incredibly bad decision went against them late in the game.

Bamber Bridge were hoping that the fine midweek League Cup victory over Premier Division outfit Radcliffe Borough would inspire them to their first ever win at Belper Town. To date the South Ribble side have failed to gain a single point at the Derbyshire side‘s Christchurch Meadow ground. Brig are also keen to establish a modicum of consistency in the league after a recent run of patchy form which has left the club halfway down the First Division table. The ‘Nailers’ were desperate to arrest a recent dip in form which had seen them suffer disastrous defeats against fellow strugglers Goole and Warrington Town in their last two games in the league.

There was a number of changes to the team that had done so well during the week against Radcliffe Borough in the League Challenge Cup. James Archer came in at left-back with Mike Fletcher moving over to replace Neil Reynolds in midfield. Club captain Jamie Squires returned to the centre of the defence replacing newcomer George Melling who was named as a substitute and Karl Noon was preferred to Ryan Salmon in leading the front line, young Salmon taking his place on the bench.

The home team looked the busier in the opening stages of the game with Brig appearing somewhat hesitant. ‘Nailers’ captain Danny Hudson made a promising run at the Brig defence after 6 minutes but his shot fizzed narrowly over Dave Newnes goal. A Martin Drury cross found Kelvin Mushambi in space five minutes later but the strikers over-elaborate scissors kick flew across the face of goal and past the far upright.

The visitors tentatively began to work their way into the game and an Alex Porter cross was bundled narrowly over the crossbar by Noon with Brig’s first meaningful attack on 20 minutes. Shortly afterwards Noon nearly got the opener when taking advantage of some woeful defending but shot harmlessly past the post with Town goalkeeper Andy Carney exposed.

The home team began to apply some real pressure and ‘Nailers’ newcomer Gomm brought a fine diving save out of Newnes following a Drury free-kick out on the left. Newnes again came to the rescue on the half-hour mark tipping a Hudson drive at full stretch around the post for a corner. A Drury free-kick from 20 yards went just wide two minutes later but the Brig defence held firm as the pressure mounted.

Despite a less then inspirational showing in the opening 45 minutes Brig managed to finish the first half with a flurry. Noon put in an excellent cross on 39 minutes which Fletcher fired wildly over and then after another fine delivery from Noon, Greg Brickell failed to control the ball when well placed and the danger was cleared. Just before the interval Brickell scurried down the left of goal and his shot from a narrow angle was charged down by Town keeper Carney.

There was a distinct improvement to Brigs play in the second period after an inept first-half performance and Porter got the ball rolling with a powerful drive from distance on 47 minutes which Carney did well to hold.

At the other end a Luke Chambers long throw-in was lofted over the bar by the livewire Mushambi after 50 minutes but Brig responded well and Brickell hooked the ball just over after a fine through-ball by Porter had found him in space.

Despite this the game still lacked direction, incident, passion and most of all a goal. When a goal did finally arrive it was completely out of the blue.

A cross by ‘Nailers’ full-back Chambers on 61 minutes was collected by Gomm just inside the Brig penalty box and the big striker deftly curled his shot out of Newnes reach and into the corner of the net.

The goal brought the game to life and Brig began to put some sustained pressure on the home goal for the first time in the match. Indeed, they were controversially denied a seemingly legitimate goal on 70 minutes.

Kevin Brown took advantage of a slip by Town central defender Ashley Foyle and sent Ryan Salmon in on goal and although goalkeeper Carney got to the ball first he let it slip. Salmon gleefully smacked home the loose ball but to everybody’s astonishment the linesman raised his flag for offside. Salmon had clearly run onto the ball from an onside position and through the static ‘Nailers’ defence. The decision was a travesty!

Brig shrugged off the setback and plugged away manfully but their inaccurate passing let them down time and again. Sadly there was little cohesion to their play and the constant use of the long ball was neither accurate or effective.

On 85 minutes the hosts almost increased their lead when excellent work by man-of-the-match Mushambi set Andy Rushbury away down the left. The wingman sent in a pin-point cross but substitute Alex Steadman headed over when he should have done better.

Brig simply ran out of time and ideas after a performance they will surely want to forget.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Fleming, Archer, Squires, K Brown, Fletcher, S Brown (Salmon 65mins), Mahoney (Roberts 65mins), Noon, Brickell (Melling 69mins), Porter.


Attendance: 146