This is my local non league team so i thought i would make a thread about them post results and imformation about them.
My cousin is a striker for them so i go and watch them a fairbit when Preston are playing away.

MANAGER: ANDY WHITTAKER
Talented striker who rejoined Bamber Bridge in December 2003. Also played in the Conference for both Barrow and Southport. Appeared in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley in season 1997-98 whilst at Haig Avenue. Had spells with Ashton United and Kendal Town. Made his Bamber Bridge debut at Great Harwood Town in the North West Counties League Second Division on the 20th October 1990. Scored 130 League and Cup goals for the Irongate club before the start of the 2004-05 season. Became Joint Manager with Phil Entwistle in November 2004. Took overall charge of team affairs at the beginning of the 2005-06 season.



ASSISTANT MANAGER: PHIL ENTWISTLE
In his second spell as number two at Irongate after serving with Tony Greenwood during the clubs successful period in the late 1990’s. Left for a short spell at Accrington Stanley and then with West Lancashire League side Fulwood Amateurs before rejoining Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2004-05 season. Appointed Joint Manager alongside Andy Whittaker in November 2004.



BARRY SHUTTLEWORTH
Experienced defender who started as a trainee at Bury in 1995 before moving on to Rotherham United two years later. Had spells with Blackpool and Scarborough before moving to Macclesfield Town in 2001. Was with Accrington Stanley between a couple of stints at Altrincham before joining Bamber Bridge in 2004. Made his debut at Irongate in the Premier Division against Hyde United on the 29th January 2005.



ROSS BAIN
Defender who came through the ranks at Irongate and made his Northern Premier League debut in the First Division at Matlock Town on the 10th September 2002.



JIMMY KING
Speedy wingman who came through the ranks at Bamber Bridge making his first team debut at Irongate on the 21st September 2002 against Kendal Town in the First Division. Was voted the players Player-of-the-Season in 2003-04.



GLEN STEEL
Glenn spent the first six years of his footballing life with Preston North End before joining Fulwood Amateurs in the West Lancashire League where he stayed for four seasons before joining Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2003-04 season. Made his debut for the club at Irongate on the 16th August 2003 against Kidsgrove Athletic in the First Division on the first day of term.



JAMES SHEPPARD
James signed for Bamber Bridge in November 2004 after three years with Kendal Town. He had joined the Parkside club in October 2001 from West Lancashire League outfit Kirkham and Wesham. Started his football at Blackpool as a trainee.



LEE CLITHEROE
Lee began his football education with Oldham Athletic and spent four and a half years at Boundary Park. Moved on to Lancaster City where he enjoyed two and a half successful seasons. There followed short stays with Southport, Chorley and Kendal Town before he signed for the Irongate club in February 2005.



CHRIS BENNETT
Started with Wigan Athletic in 2000 before joining Lancaster City for an eighteen month spell. It was while Chris was at Giant Axe that he met up with Brig manager Andy Whittaker. Had a short spell at Southport before gaining Conference experience with Northwich Victoria. Spent a season and a half with Kendal Town before joining Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2005-06 season.



ALEX PORTER
Alex is in his second spell at Irongate. Started with Crewe Alexandra where he spent 5 years before moving on to Blackpool. After a brief spell at Bloomfield Road Alex joined Conference side Morecambe where he spent three and a half seasons. Gained a dozen caps for England at under 18 level. First joined Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2002-03 season and finished as the clubs leading goalscorer. Moved on to Chorley in 2003-04 and spent some time at Fleetwood Town in 2004-05 before re-signing for the Irongate club at the start of the 2005-06 campaign.



NEIL SPENCER
Neil started as a youngster at Preston North End before linking up with Bamber Bridge in the early 1990’s. Now in his second spell at Irongate after rejoining Brig from Fleetwood Town at the start of the 2005-06 season. Scored 23 goals in 76 appearances in his first spell at Irongate before moving on to Clitheroe in the 1998-99 season. Played in both legs of the Semi-Final of the FA Vase against Western League side Taunton Town in the 2000-01 season whilst at Shawbridge.



DAVE CAMPBELL
Dave began his football with the Preston North End School of Excellence spending four years with the Deepdale club from 1992 to 1996. In 1996-97 he joined Euxton Villa spending 3 years with them before a 4 year stint with Preston and District League side CCA. Signed for Bamber Bridge in 2004-05 and impressed in the Lancashire League side before making his first team debut in the Premier Division at Irongate on the 12th of March 2005 against Bishop Auckland. Played in the Second-Leg of the Preisident’s Cup Final against Witton Albion on the 26th of April 2005.



ANDY REED
Strong central defender. Andy began his footballing education with the successful Morecambe Academy where he spent two seasons before moving to Burscough. Was at Victoria Park for four years before joining Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2005-06 season.



MICHAEL BINGHAM
Goalkeeper. Started with Blackburn Rovers were he spent 4 years. Has represented England at schoolboy level. Left Ewood Park to join Mansfield Town where he gained Football League experience in a two year stay. Played Southern League Football with Hednesford Town before moving on to Chorley. Signed for Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2005-06 season from Burscough.



MATTHEW MAHONEY
Matt spent the first six years of his football career Wigan Athletic before moving on to North West Counties League Second Division side Ashton Town at the start of the 2005-06 season. Joined the ranks at Irongate twelve months later.



ALLAN FLEMING
Allan started his football education with Preston North End where he spent 8 years. Later joined the successful West Lancashire League outfit Kirkham and Wesham winning two West Lancashire League Premier Division championship medals. Joined Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2005-06 season making his debut at Woodley Sports on the 6th September 2005 in the First Division.



DANIEL MAHONEY
Started his career with Wigan Athletic before moving on to Burscough in 2002-03. Had experience of Conference football with Morecambe where he had a two year spell before joining Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2005-06 season.



MIKE FLETCHER
Mike learned his football as a youngster at Wigan Athletic where he stayed for five years. Had a twelve month stint with Congleton Town before moving on to Fleetwood Town. Signed for the Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2005-06 season and made his debut on the 29th August 2005 at Irongate against Welsh side Colwyn Bay in the First Division.



MITCHELL NEWSHAM
Mitchell started his football career with Lancaster City and represented Lancashire at under 18 level. After a season and a half with the Giant Axe club he joined Bamber Bridge in the 2003-04 season playing mainly in the Lancashire League side. Made several substitute appearances for the first team in the 2004-05 season. Diminutive midfielder or striker who makes up for lack of height through his skill and tenacity. Fine prospect.



STEPHEN BROWN
Striker who started his football with the very successful youth set up at Burscough. Joined the ranks at Victoria Park in the 1999-00 season where he spent the next five years. Joined Conference North side Droylsden at the start of the 2004-05 season but moved on for a short spell with Prescot Cables. Joined North West Counties League side Skelmersdale United before returning to Burscough at the start of the 2005-06 season. Signed for Bamber Bridge in September 2005.



GREG BRICKELL
Greg started his football career in the West Lancashire League with Coppull United in 2002 before moving on to North West Counties League side Atherton Collieries for a short spell. Had further brief stays with Ramsbottom United and Stalybridge Celtic. Spent the 2003-04 season with Woodley Sports returning to Coppull United the following term. Signed for Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2005-06 season following a spell at Fleetwood Town but moved back to Woodley Sports. Returned to Irongate in late December 2005 and made his Bamber Bridge debut in the Boxing Day derby at Chorley.



JAMIE SQUIRES
In his second spell at Irongate. Jamie started his footballing career as a trainee with his hometown club Preston North End. Whilst at Deepdale he was loaned out to Mansfield Town and Dunfermline Athletic. He left North End to join the Scottish Premier Division side where he made 19 appearances. Carlisle United was his next port of call followed by a spell at Doncaster Rovers. In 2002-03 he played for Nuneaton Borough in the Football Conference before first signing for Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2003-04 campaign. Left for a short stay with Chorley midway through the 2004-05 season before returning to Irongate in November 2005.



RYAN SALMON
Striker, Ryan played for England Schoolboys whilst at college. Played local football before being picked up by Morecambe in the 2004-05 season. Joined Bamber Bridge in November 2005 scoring two goals on his debut against Spalding United at Irongate in the First Division on the 3rd December 2005.



ROBIN MYERS
Defender Robin Myers played for the England Independent Schools before going to university where he enjoyed three seasons playing for the Nottingham University side. On leaving university he joined Fleetwood Town at the start of the 2005-06 season before transferring to Bamber Bridge at the end of April 2006. Made his debut for the club at Irongate on the 1st April 2006 against Rossendale United in the Northern Premier League First Division.



NEIL REYNOLDS
Midfielder Neil is in his second spell at Irongate. On leaving school Neil joined North West Counties League side Darwen in 1993 before joining Football League side Plymouth Argyle in the 1994-95 season. Retuned north in 1995 and spent three and a half years back at Darwen before joining Bamber Bridge in 1998. Moved on to Kendal Town for a short spell in 1999-00 before joining Clitheroe where he spent five successful years. Whilst at Shawbridge Neil played in both legs of the Semi-Final of the FA Vase in 2000-01 against Western League side Taunton Town. He was a key member of the Clitheroe side that lifted the North West Counties League First Division title in the 2003-04 season and scored the winning goal in the closing minutes of the game at Nantwich Town to earn his side promotion to the Northern Premier League for the first time in their history. Captained Clitheroe in his last two years with the club. Popular with the fans at all the clubs where he has served. Never gives anything less than one-hundred per cent to the cause. Rejoined Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2006-07 season. Made 45 league and cup appearances at Irongate in his first spell with the club. Made his Bamber Bridge debut at Gainsborough Trinity in the Premier Division on the 21st February 1998.



DAVID STEVENSON
Goalkeeper, Dave arrived at Irongate at the commencement of the 2006-07 season from North West Counties League Second Division side Blackpool Mechanics.



KARL NOON
Karl began his footballing education with Tranmere Rovers where he spent two years from the 1999-00 season to 2000-01. On leaving Prenton Park he moved to Liverpool spending 4 seasons with the Anfield club. Was with Prescot Cables in the 2005-06 season before joining Bamber Bridge at the start of 2006-07.



TOM INCE
Young wingman who joined Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2005-06 season after spending two seasons at Burnley. Has represented Lancashire County FA at schoolboy level. Made his Bamber Bridge debut on the 11th October 2005 at Irongate against Clitheroe in the First Division.



DAVID NEWNES
Goalkeeper, David Newnes began his football career with a short spell at Bury in the 2001-02 season before moving on to Burscough joining the celebrated youth set-up at Victoria Park. Spent the next three-and-a-half years with the ‘Linnets‘ before joining the Irongate ranks at the start of the 2006-07 season.



GRAHAM BENNETT
Goalkeeper Graham started his football career at Wigan Athletic in 1990 joining Brig for the first time twelve months later before a two year stint at Chorley. Moved on to Ashton United for a season before three two-year stints at Cheadle Town, Flixton and Hyde United. Left non-league football to follow a career in the Fire Service and won international honours representing both the England and the Great Briton Fire Service teams. Rejoined Bamber Bridge in the 2002-03 season. Had a short stay back at Chorley in 2004-05 before once again joining the Irongate club at the start of the 2005-06 season.



DAVID WOODRUFF
Dave started his football with Squires Gate before moving on to West Lancashire League side Springfields where he stayed for four and a half years before joining Kendal Town halfway through the 2003-04 season. After two and a half seasons at Parkside Dave joined Bamber Bridge at the start of the 2006-07 campaign.



JAMES ARCHER
Defender, James started out with Wigan Athletic before moving to Preston North End where he spent two years from 2004-05 doing a football scholarship. On leaving Deepdale James had a very short spell with Barrow before joining the ranks at Irongate at the end of September 2006.



KEVIN BROWN
Central defender, Kevin started his football career at Blackpool where he spent three years. On leaving Bloomfield Road he joined Lancaster City at the start of 2005-06 but moved on to Barrow towards the end of that season. Joined Bamber Bridge on a loan agreement in September 2006 making his debut at Irongate on the 5th September against Alsager Town in the First Division.


Courtesy of Bamber Bridge fc

Good stuff mate, is your cousin anygood?

Yeah he is Ryan Salmon he has managed to score 2 so far in the 4 games he has played he broke his nose in a friendly against Blackburn Rovers so he was out at the beginning of the season to have it put back in place

Wow shame too hear that, who crocked him? Todd?

I cant remember he did tell me aswell

I wouldnt be surprised

lol

Sat 19 Aug Harrogate Railway Athletic Away 1-1 Sheppard
Tue 22 Aug Cammell Laird
Home 1-1 Brickell
Sat 26 Aug Gresley Rovers Home 4-1 Woodruff 2 Brickell 2
Mon 28 Aug BH Skelmersdale United Away 2-3 Ince 2
Sat 2 Sept Spennymoor Town (FA Cup prelim) Away 1-3 Morgan og
Tue 5 Sept Alsager Town Home 2-2 Ince, Salmon
Sat 9 Sept Woodley Sports Home 4-3 Noon, Salmon, Porter 2
Wed 13 Sept Kidsgrove Athletic Away 0-1
Sat 16 Sept Colwyn Bay Home
Tue 19 Sept Bradford Park Avenue Home
Sat 23 Sept Buxton Away
Tue 26 Sept Cammell Laird Away
Sat 30 Sept Brigg Town (or FA Cup 2nd Qual Round) Home
Tue 3 Oct Colwyn Bay Away
Sat 7 Oct Clitheroe (FA Trophy Prelim) Away
Tue 10 Oct Rossendale United Home
Sat 14 Oct Warrington Town (or FA Cup 3rd Qual Round) Home
Mon 16 Oct Bradford Park Ave Away
Sat 21 Oct Warrington T or Wakefield (FA Trophy 1st Qual)
Tue 24 Oct Clitheroe Home
Sat 28 Oct Ossett Albion (or FA Cup 4th Qual Round) Home
Tue 31 Oct Radcliffe Borough (Uni Challenge Cup 1st Rnd) Home
Sat 4 Nov Belper Town (or FA Trophy 2nd Qual) Away
Tue 7 Nov Woodley Sports Away
Sat 11 Nov Eastwood Town (or FA Cup 1st Round) Home
Tue 14 Nov Alsager Town Away
Sat 18 Nov Buxton Home
Sat 25 Nov Shepshed Dynamo (or FA Trophy 3rd Qual) Away
Sat 2 Dec Kidsgrove Athletic (or FA Cup 2nd Round) Home
Sat 9 Dec Clitheroe Away
Sat 16 Dec Harrogate Railway Athletic (or FA Trophy 1st Round) Home
Sat 23 Dec Warrington Town Away
Tue 26 Dec BH Chorley Home
Sat 30 Dec Goole Away
Mon 1 Jan BH Skelmersdale United Home
Sat 13 Jan Gresley Rovers Away
Sat 20 Jan Rossendale United Away
Sat 27 Jan Stocksbridge Park Steels Home
Sat 3 Feb Brigg Town Away
Sat 17 Feb Wakefield Away
Sat 24 Feb
Sat 3 Mar Bridlington Town Home
Sat 10 Mar Ossett Albion Away
Sat 17 Mar Bridlington Town Away
Sat 24 Mar Shepshed Dynamo Home
Sat 31 Mar Eastwood Town Away
Fri 6 Apr BH Goole Town Home
Mon 9 Apr BH Chorley Away
Sat 14 Apr Wakefield Home
Sat 21 Apr Stocksbridge Park Steels Away
Sat 28 Apr Belper Town Home

Good Luck to Bamber and Mr Salmon, I shall be watching out for their scores

Cheers Darren Im going to watch them tomorrow against Colwyn Bay so i may post a little match report.

Yea that would be good!

Go on Bamber Bridge FC!!!

1 Buxton 7 5 2 0 9 4 5 17
2 Clitheroe 7 5 0 2 16 6 10 15
3 Bradford Park Avenue 6 5 0 1 10 3 7 15
4 Cammell Laird 6 4 2 0 16 5 11 14
5 Eastwood Town 6 4 1 1 11 3 8 13
6 Alsager Town 6 4 1 1 11 4 7 13
7 Colwyn Bay 6 3 2 1 8 9 -1 11
8 Ossett Albion 6 3 1 2 11 9 2 10
9 Kidsgrove Athletic 6 3 1 2 7 5 2 10
10 Harrogate Railway Athletic 7 3 1 3 10 9 1 10
11 Goole AFC 7 3 1 3 8 11 -3 10
12 Bamber Bridge 7 2 3 2 14 12 2 9
13 Woodley Sports 6 2 2 2 16 12 4 8
14 Brigg Town 6 2 2 2 7 6 1 8
15 Belper Town 6 2 2 2 7 7 0 8
16 Stocksbridge Park Steels 7 2 2 3 5 7 -2 8
17 Rossendale United 6 2 2 2 7 10 -3 8
18 Skelmersdale United 6 2 1 3 13 15 -2 7
19 Shepshed Dynamo 6 2 0 4 6 11 -5 6
20 Gresley Rovers 6 1 1 4 6 11 -5 4
21 Bridlington Town 6 1 1 4 3 11 -8 4
22 Warrington Town 6 1 0 5 8 16 -8 3
23 Chorley 5 0 0 5 1 10 -9 0
24 Wakefield FC 7 0 0 7 1 15 -14 0

The origins of Bamber Bridge Football Club can be traced back to the late 1800's. However, the present club was reformed in 1952 as a junior team in the Preston and District League. Progress was made into the Senior Division but success was extremely limited.

1974 was a very significant year in the history of the club when amalgamation came about with neighbouring club, Walton-Le-Dale. A rejuvenated Bamber Bridge started on the road to becoming a prominent member of the non-league scene, their first major trophy collected was in 1979 when they won the Preston and District League Guildhall Cup, a trophy they were to win on three more occasions. Further success followed, winning the Preston and District League Title on four occasions and the pinnacle was winning the Lancashire Amateur Shield in 1982.

Throughout this period, the committee had dreamt and worked towards establishing a football ground of their own and in 1983 a piece of derelict land was purchased with the help of South Ribble and Sports Council's. It took four years of dedicated work and considerable expense to change this overgrown land into a football pitch, which was named Irongate after the local area. It was indeed a proud moment to see the team play on the club's own ground after having played on park pitches for so long. The first game at Irongate was played in August 1987 and since then continual developments and improvements have taken place to enable the club to enter the non-league pyramid system.

In 1990 the club joined the North West Counties League and in three successful seasons progressed through two Divisions. In 1992 they reached the Semi-Final of the FA Vase, only one step away from the famous Wembley Stadium. During this period floodlights were installed and further ground improvements were made allowing promotion into the Northern Premier League First Division in 1993.






After having finished in a respectable mid-table position in their first season at the higher level the 1994-95 season was to bring further success, winning promotion to the Premier Division as First Division Runners-Up as well as winning the Northern Premier League Challenge Cup and the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy.

Against all the odds in 1995-96, their first season in the Premier Division, the club won the title beating off late challenges from Hyde United and Boston United, the final outcome depending on the results on the last day of the season - a history making season for the club.

The club then gained worldwide fame when they entertained the Czech Republic International team in a friendly game prior to their opening game against Germany in the European International Championship Finals in 1996.

Having lost their manager and a number of key players from the championship winning side, the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons saw the club struggling in the bottom half of the Premier Division table. 1998-99 saw the return of their championship-winning manager, which saw a much improved performance with a creditable fourth place finish in the League.

The highlight of the clubs 1999-00 season was their excellent run in the FA Cup, reaching the Second Round Proper for the first time before bowing out by a narrow 0-1 margin at Football League Second Division side Cambridge United, the result decided on a disputed penalty. The following season proved to be a disappointment with a mid-table finish in the League.

The 2001-02 campaign opened with a double blow when the loss of the clubs main sponsor was followed by the loss of a financially rewarding agreement with Bolton Wanderers. Sadly, with no time in which to replace these losses the club was faced with having to make financial cuts in order to survive. As a direct result of this, relegation followed, with three different managers and fifty-two players making continuity almost impossible, despite many battling performances. A last minute reprieve via the play-offs failed to materialise and the club experienced relegation for the first time in its history. Restructuring of the National League System at the start of the 2004-05 season saw the club regain Premier Division status after two years in the lower section.

Time spent in the higher grade lasted only twelve months and the club once again experienced the bitter pill of relegation. The 2004-05 season however, was not a complete disaster and, despite the loss of Premier Division status, the League President’s Cup was lifted with a 3-2 aggregate win over Witton Albion

Bamber Bridge 0 Colwyn Bay 1

Northern Premier League 1st Division
16th September 2006

By Dave Rowland

Colwyn Bay deservedly grabbed all three points after a fine performance of flowing football and playing with the elegance and flair reminiscent of their manager, former England international, Peter Davenport. Bamber Bridge disappointed and frustrated their home support with a performance and result, which, whilst not lacking in either skill or guile, was the mirror-image of the game in mid-week at Kidsgrove Athletic, when their inability to take chances ultimately let them down.

Manager Andy Whittaker made one change to his starting line-up from the game at Hollinswood Grove last Wednesday, bringing in Greg Brickell for Karl Noon, the former Prescot Cables man taking his place on the bench.

The opening period saw both sides playing some good open football and the visitors were first to show when Kenny Burgess flashed a shot across the face of goal.

At the other end Ross Bain and Danny Mahoney had shots cleared off the line after the Bay defence found trouble in dealing with an Alex Porter corner after 25 minutes.

With the game starting to tip slightly in favour of the home team, a Robin Myers finely-weighted through ball found Brickell in space. The Brig striker brought out the best in ‘Seagulls’ goalkeeper Ryan Brookfield who brilliantly palmed the shot out, but the ball fell to Alex Porter who wastefully fired over.

Tom Ince, who had worked tirelessly in mid-field, was caught out badly on 34 minutes when his mistake led to the Welsh side getting their noses in front with a goal which ultimately proved to be the winner. Ironically, it was a real opportunist goal reminiscent of Brig manager Andy Whittaker in his heyday.

Darren Wright charged down Ton Ince’s attempted clearance inside the left-hand corner of the penalty box and then fired the loose ball home past exposed Brig goalkeeper Dave Newnes.

The goal lifted the visitors who began to knock the ball around with style but you couldn’t help feeling for the Lancastrians who had played really well up to this point.

The game remained evenly balanced up to the break with neither side able to take the dominant roll on proceedings.

Bamber Bridge came out fighting in the second period but lacked any sort of penetration despite some very creative approach play. Brig captain Neil Reynolds set up Ryan Salmon on 65 minutes but Brookfield was quickly off his line to deny the young Brig striker.

Neat interplay by full-back Jamie Archer and substitute Karl Noon down the right flank opened up the Welsh defences but Salmon pulled his effort narrowly wide around the 70 minute mark. Salmon then headed over a ballooned Porter cross a few minutes later when it appeared he might score and Bain headed wide from the same provider as Brig went in a search of an elusive equaliser.

At the other end Newnes snuffed out a chance by Burgess, bravely diving at the wingman‘s feet, following a fine cross from the left by Martin Crowder.

The Welshmen continued to play a neat passing one-touch game which was troublesome to the home side but Bamber Bridge kept plugging away in search of the equaliser which nearly arrived in the 86th minute. Brig’s play had become somewhat frenetic as the minutes ticked away and Brookfield was rather fortunate to scramble the ball off his goal-line when a ping-pong session developed in front of him inside a crowded goalmouth.

Inevitably, Brig’s desperate drive forward created space at the back which the visitors almost took advantage of in the dying moments of the game.

A sweeping Colwyn Bay move caught the home defences dangerously stretched in the 89th minute and substitute Mike Burke just failed to reach a searching Crowder cross from the left. Newnes was then called upon to make a fine stop from point blank range when Burgess volleyed from the edge of the six-yard box.

For the second time within four days Bamber Bridge left the pitch goalless after putting in an enormous amount of work but with little or no reward to show for their efforts.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Myers (Fletcher 73mins), Archer, Bain, K Brown, Reynolds, Ince (S Brown 58mins), Mahoney, Salmon, Brickell (Noon 50mins), Porter.


Attendance: 141

I didnt think Colwyn were that good to be honest after they scored the goal they were content to keep whacking it up field at every chance before their goal they were playing some neat stuff and if Brig could have been more clinical infront of goal Brig could have won by a few

How much was it too get in? Also was there any atmosphere? Did you get a pie?

It was £6 to get in didnt get a pie but i had a few sherberts while i was there there is a bit of atmosphear but there was only 141 there

Bamber Bridge 1 Bradford Park Avenue 1

NPL 1st Division
19th September 2006

By Dave Rowland

Bradford Park Avenue will feel mightily relieved to have returned back over the Pennines with a share of the spoils following a 1-1 draw at Irongate last night after Bamber Bridge had turned them over in a one sided second-half. The sides had gone in at the interval with a penalty goal each in an evenly contested first-half.

Despite back-to-back relegations in the past couple of seasons, the West Yorkshire side are one of the favourites for promotion from the First Division this term and have started the season well.

Both sides were looking to bounce back following home defeats on Saturday - Bamber Bridge going down 0-1 at Irongate to Welshmen Colwyn Bay and Avenue losing a top-of-the-table clash at their Horsfall Stadium by 1-3 against an improving Eastwood Town.

Andy Whittaker made just the one change to his starting line-up from Saturday’s game against Colwyn Bay, preferring Steven Brown to Tom Ince in mid-field, Ince taking his place on the substitutes bench. Defender Allan Fleming returned after a period out with back problems and started on the bench.

An evenly balanced start, which saw each side probing for an opening, suddenly sprung to life on 5 minutes when a good combination of passes between Alex Porter and Greg Brickell penetrated the visitors back line. Ryan Salmon, who was the recipient of his two colleague’s good work saw his effort blocked. Salmon was again involved a couple of minutes later heading a superb Robin Myers cross just past the post with Avenue goalkeeper Piotr Skiba beaten.

At the other end a fine in-swinging cross by Liam Flynn just eluded both Lee Morris and Neil Ross who were within inches of connecting inside the six-yard box.

The visitors got their noses in front on 23 minutes from the penalty spot after Ross Bain was, somewhat harshly, adjudged to have upended David Cooke just inside the area. There was also a suspicion that the Bradford player may have been off-side. Be as it may, Neil Ross converted the spot kick, sending Brig goalkeeper David Newnes the wrong way.

Porter and Steve Brown constantly probed either flank as the home team went in search of the equaliser. Brickell set Brown up with a neat through pass on 35 minutes but the mid-fielder just failed to reach the ball before Skiba snuffed out the danger.

Bamber Bridge got their reward on the stroke of half-time when Skiba clumsily brought down Brickell whilst making a hash of dealing with an awkwardly bouncing ball. Porter unleashed a ferocious spot kick that went in off the underside of Skiba’s outstretched body.

The second period was to prove infinitely one sided and Brig showed their intentions as early as the 48th minute when Brickell shot into the side netting from an acute angle after determinedly working his way through a cluster of Bradford defenders.

Brig were now forcing the pace and the visitors were having to do some desperate defending, being confined to occasional breakaways. One such arrived on 55 minutes when their most prominent striker Neil Ross turned and shot from distance but Newnes was equal to the challenge.

Shortly afterwards a sweeping Brig move, arguably the best of the game, saw Danny Mahoney’s precision pass from distance put Brickell away down the left. His well hit cross was met by Porter who slammed his effort on goal only for Skiba to react smartly and save on the line.

Brig’s growing confidence and tenacity disturbed the visitors who became rattled and as a result made some unforced errors as they doggedly hung on. Porter in particular was Bradford’s tormenter-in-chief raiding swiftly and effectively down the left flank peppering in crosses at every opportunity. However, he fluffed his lines on 72 minutes blasting past an exposed goal at the far post after Brickell and Salmon had completely sliced open the Yorkshiremen’s rearguard.

Tall visiting central defender Lee Connor who had marshalled Brickell well in the first-half was now finding the Bamber Bridge front runner quite a handful.

Another expertly placed long range pass by Mahoney put Steve Brown through on goal shortly after but Skiba palmed over the mid-fielders rising shot.

Bamber Bridge were determined to get the breakthrough that their efforts justifiably deserved and went close twice more in the last ten minutes.

Reynolds found Brickell in space on 80 minutes but the strikers first touch let him down. Then Porter headed over a Brickell cross when he perhaps should have done better.

The visitors had the last say as the seconds ticked away and after Ross had shot hopelessly wide in a rare Bradford sortie, substitute Tom Greaves headed tantalisingly wide of Newnes right-hand goalpost following a Cooke free kick from out on the right.

This had been a good Bamber Bridge performance which deserved a better reward than the one point gained. Once again, as at Kidsgrove Athletic last week and more recently at home to Colwyn Bay on Saturday, the Irongate youngsters had displayed ample skill and shown plenty of effort with little reward for their endeavours. If they continue to play as well in future games it will only be a matter of time before the points start rolling in.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Myers, Archer (Fleming 49mins), Bain, K Brown, Reynolds, S Brown, Mahoney, Salmon, Brickell, Porter (Ince 83mins). unused sub : Noon.


Attendance: 140

Buxton 4 Bamber Bridge 1

NPL 1st Division
23rd September 2006



Bamber Bridge’s shortcomings were ruthlessly exposed by a Buxton side, who, after being outplayed and going a goal down in the early stages of the game, comfortably maintained their unbeaten record in the First Division. Despite playing their part, in what was, a very entertaining contest, the South Ribble side lost 1-4 after once again failing to convert the many chances that came their way.

Brig travelled to the Silverlands in the hope of gaining some reward after picking up just a single point from their last three league outings despite having played well enough to have achieved more, whilst newly promoted Buxton were looking to maintain their position in the top three of the First Division table.

Due to injuries manager Andy Whittaker was forced to make two changes from the line-up at home to Bradford Park Avenue during the week. Allan Fleming replaced James Archer at left-back and Karl Noon was selected to lead the attack in the absence of Ryan Salmon.

The game kicked off in the beautiful Derbyshire sunshine with a couple of half chances at either end.

The visitors were first to show after only two minutes when Noon went close from an Alex Porter cross, the ball just running away from the former Prescot Cables man at the vital moment. The homesters responded quickly and their tall right-back Darren Brookes headed over from a Tommy Agus free-kick from the left.

Bamber Bridge swiftly got into their stride playing with purpose and enterprise and took the game to the home side who struggled to wrest control from the pacy Brig front runners. Danny Mahoney, who went on to have a superb game for the visitors, and livewire Steve Brown, continually sent Porter and Greg Brickell on menacing runs through the heart of the Buxton rearguard.

It was no surprise therefore, when the home defence finally succumbed to the pressure on 20 minutes.

A Porter corner-kick was only partially cleared and fell invitingly to Steve Brown who was lurking on the right hand edge of the Buxton penalty area. The Brig midfielder fired in a low shot which fizzed into the far corner of the rigging with ‘Bucks’ goalkeeper Scott Hartley rooted to the spot.

Five minutes later it could have been two when Ross Bain saw his header just clear the crossbar from another Porter delivery deep on the left.

The home team were shaken but soon roused themselves into action and came close twice within as many minutes on the half-hour mark.

After robbing Fleming just inside the right hand apex of the penalty box, Jordan Hall fired goal-wards only for Brig goalkeeper Dave Newnes to scramble the effort around the post. Then Newnes was on hand to keep out a powerful header from Mark Smith after the wingman had connected with an inch perfect cross by Hall.

Buxton were not to be denied for long however, and got on equal terms in the 32nd minute when a Michael Towey pass was tucked away from close range by Mark Reed who’s effort beat Newnes at the near post.

A superb long through-ball by Mahoney put in Noon after 35 minutes but the Brig striker fired over the crossbar.

The home team got their noses in front after 39 minutes when Smith whipped in a centre and Darren Brookes took advantage of some woeful marking to plant his header beyond Newnes.

The visitors came close twice as the half-time whistle approached when Bain found Brickell in space who in turn fed Porter but his shot was blocked. Porter then shot just wide of the far post after Neil Reynolds had done the spadework.

Two more Bamber Bridge chances went begging straight after break, the first after a fine through-ball by Robin Myers had split the home defence. Greg Brickell latched onto it but his low snap shot was easily dealt with by Hartley. Then the Brig striker headed over a Brown corner from close in.

A Brown power-drive was palmed over by Hartley as the Lancastrians went in search of parity.

The visitors were then guilty of two more glaring misses. Brickell shot over from a Brown through-ball when he really should have done better and Porter shot over with the goal at his mercy following a delightful through-ball by Mahoney.

Buxton showed the visitors just how it should be done in the 73rd minute when they went further ahead.

Myers brought down Hall on the edge of the penalty box and Shaun Doxey fired the free-kick into the roof of the net before Newnes could react.

This set-back deflated the visitors and Buxton rubbed further salt in their wounds with another strike on 87 minutes.

Doxey’s cleverly angled pass across the box was flashed home with confidence by a jubilant Reed for his second of the game.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Myers, Fleming, Bain, K Brown, Reynolds, S Brown, Mahoney, Noon (Spencer 65mins), Brickell, Porter (Ince 77mins). unused sub : Fletcher.


Attendance: 456