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

Seems like Brig and my cousin were robbed of a goal

Oh dear, what a robbery! Commiserations to young Salmon. That should only fire him up for the next game

Yeah they are playing against Woodley Sports away tonight and that was the last team he scored against maybe he can kick start a goal run there

Maybe the manager requires a reminder about that fact. Wish him the best of luck from me, I am off to saltergate tonight.

Yeah will do he is getting the chances without putting them away.


Best of luck to Charlton tonight it's going to be a tough one against your sweep team lol

lol I know tell me about it. Luckily though the sweep dont count in the cup so im relieved, I just want them to start winning after tonight!

Woodley Sports 2 Bamber Bridge 1

NPL 1st Division
7th November 2006

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge suffered their 10th league defeat of the season at Lambeth Grove going down 1-2 late in the game to a workmanlike Woodley Sports on their dreadful artificial pitch. It was the South Ribble side’s fifth defeat out of their last six games in the First Division. However, they at least went some way to restoring some lost pride following a very poor performance at Belper Town on the previous Saturday.

Brig were looking to turn around a poor run of form which has seen the South Ribble side gain just three points from their last five outings in the First Division, whilst Woodley Sports were on a high following Saturdays magnificent 3-2 home win against Premier Division highfliers Whitby Town in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy.

Manager Andy Whittaker not surprisingly made four changes following the ill-fated trip to South Derbyshire at the weekend. George Melling came in for full-back James Archer who had been ruled out with a back injury. Midfielders Danny Mahoney and Steve Brown were overlooked with Paul Roberts and Tom Ince taking their places in the engine room. Neil Spencer was brought in to lead the line replacing Karl Noon who like Mahoney was named amongst the substitutes.

The game opened in lively fashion and not surprisingly the ball ping-ponged about the plastic surface like a ball baring in a pin-ball machine at an amusement arcade.

In the first minute, as Brig struggled to come to terms with the plastic monster beneath their feet, ‘Steelman’s’ winger Adam Morning fired a shot across the face of goal following an excellent cross by Gavin Salmon.

Brig responded with a couple of reasonable efforts from Greg Brickell, the second of which found the net in the 5th minute only to be ruled off-side.

However, the hosts got their noses in front after 14 minutes when the Bamber Bridge defence failed to deal adequately with a free-kick and Salmon poked the ball home through a crowded penalty area.

The Cheshire side nearly went further ahead after 20 minutes when Morning’s fine cross in from the left was completely missed at the back post by an over eager Luke Horrocks.

Brig deservedly got back on equal terms in the 27th minute. A fine build up down the left flank involving a neat interchange between Greg Brickell, Neil Spencer and Alex Porter opened up the Woodley rearguard. A home defender made a hash of clearing Porter’s cross and diminutive winger Tom Ince took full advantage firing home past the despairing dive of exposed Woodley goalkeeper Liam Higginbottom.

Porter continued to menace the Woodley defence peppering in some telling crosses which caused considerable consternation for the hosts as Brig began to call the shots. Indeed, it was becoming a fast free-flowing game with the visitors just having the edge with plenty of skill and creativity - qualities that had been in such short supply at Belper.

The visitors almost got their noses in front on 40 minutes when a delightful Ince through-ball put Spencer in on goal but after drawing Higginbottom from his line Brig’s veteran striker shot wide of goal.

At the other end Newnes was called upon to save his side diving low to cut out a reasonable effort from Salmon.

Brig went close twice in the dying moments of the first-half. First Roberts hit the crossbar with a thunderbolt from distance and then Brickell headed narrowly over from an Ince cross.

Not surprisingly the pace of the game was noticeably less frenetic after the break and Woodley began to impose their authority on proceedings. A Daniel Mario-Sergio cross was missed at the back post by Salmon with the goal at his mercy and Brig had to endure a succession of corners.

The Irongate men held firm and despite conceding most of the possession to their hosts they looked comfortable at the back. The only concern was the unmarked ‘Steelman’s’ wingman Adam Morning who was being allowed oceans of room in which to operate down Brig’s right flank.

The South Ribble side had a reasonable claim for a penalty in the 70th minute when substitute Ryan Salmon was unceremoniously bundled off the ball inside the box by two Woodley defenders, but referee Mr Hutchinson from Chester waved play on.

Former Woodley star Brickell set up Salmon again within minutes but the young striker just failed to get a touch on the ball. Porter warmed Higginbottom’s hands on 78 minutes with a fierce drive from distance as the visitors continued to give as much as they got.

The space given to the constantly unmarked and ever menacing Morning was to cost the visitors dear in the 87th minute. The ‘Steelman’s’ speedy winger once again had all the time and room to exploit the unmanned left flank and his telling cross was gleefully rammed home by former Chorley man Danny Queeley to seal all three points for the Cheshire outfit.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Melling, Fleming, Squires, K Brown, Fletcher, Ince (Noon 78mins), Roberts (Mahoney 57mins), Spencer (Salmon 67mins), Brickell, Porter.


Attendance: 85

Brig were robbed again and need to sort their form out and quick before a relegation dog fight starts to take hold.

Weeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyy Mr Salmon on the scoresheet against the mighty woodley again, get in!! Unlucky with the result though!

Bamber Bridge 4 Eastwood Town 3

NPL 1st Division
11th November 2006

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge’s young striker Ryan Salmon helped himself to a hat-trick in this seven goal thriller as the South Ribble side took all three points in the monsoon-like conditions. The ferocity of the weather did little to diminish the entertainment value of what turned out to be pulsating game of football.

Eastwood Town arrived at Irongate hoping to consolidate their position amongst the leading pack in the First Division, whilst their hosts were determined to halt a poor run of form. Indeed, the South Ribble side had lost five of their previous six games in the league. They last tasted victory in the First Division on the 24th of October when overcoming their Lancashire neighbours Clitheroe by 3-1 at home.

The Brig line-up showed a number of changes to that which started the game at Woodley Sports in midweek. Graham Bennett took over the goalkeeping responsibilities due to Dave Newnes having fallen foul of Woodley’s plastic pitch with an ankle injury. Steve Brown and Danny Mahoney were restored to midfield and Ryan Salmon was preferred to Greg Brickell in attack with Brickell taking his place on the bench.

The home team shrugged off the atrocious conditions and struck as early as the first minute when Salmon capitalised on some good work down the right by Steven Brown and Tom Ince to shoot home from close range.

This set-back seemed to galvanise the visitors who equalised on 9 minutes with a wind assisted free-kick from Badgers full-back Chris Shaw who’s punt into the box was missed by everyone and bizarrely bounced into the net past a bemused Bennett.

There was a determination about the way Brig were going about their business as they took the game to the Nottinghamshire side with a passion.

Despite the tempest that raged around them, both sides showed plenty of skill and endeavour and Bamber Bridge got their noses back in front after 22 minutes. Ince opened up the Badgers defence with a fine run down the right and his cross was slotted home from close in by Neil Spencer who then had to leave the field injured being replaced by Brickell.

Ten minutes later Town grabbed their second equaliser when Deon Miekle neatly threaded the ball through to Adam Kerley who finished with style, firing beyond the reach of Brig goalkeeper Graham Bennett.

With ever deteriorating conditions this had become a game for brave hearts and to their credit both sides stuck to their tasks playing some excellent football to entertain the crowd.

Determined play by the Lancashire side brought its reward just prior to the break when they once again went into the lead. A Steven Brown free-kick found Paul Roberts on the edge of the Badgers penalty box and the midfielder touched the ball on for Salmon to drive home though a crowd of defenders.

With the wind now at their backs after the break Bamber Bridge began to call the shots and increased their lead on 60 minutes when Salmon claimed his hat-trick. A Danny Mahoney free-kick was knocked on by Steven Brown and Salmon bravely dived in to send his well directed and powerful header past the exposed Town goalkeeper Ian Deakin.

Despite this Eastwood remained focused and showed just why they are doing so well this term with some fine creative play.

Shaw struck home a fine volley from distance on 81 minutes but the effort was ruled out for off-side and the player was cautioned for his protestations.

However, Badgers were not to be denied and pulled a goal back two minutes later. A clever flick-on by Kerley put in substitute Lindon Miekle on 83 minutes and he finished in style rifling a superb shot past Bennett.

Lindon Miekle was desperately unlucky in the dying moments of the game when his drive beat Bennett but got stuck in the mud right on the goal-line and Brig full-back Allan Fleming was able to hack the ball away to safety.

In a grand-stand finish Badgers centre-back Gary Breach was dismissed by referee Mr O’Neil, getting a straight red card following a robust challenge on a Brig forward. He had also been booked earlier on in the game.

Despite the Badgers impressive efforts to get something from the game, Bamber Bridge comfortably hung on for a well deserved victory.

Bamber Bridge: Bennett, Fleming, Fletcher, Melling (Roberts 35mins), K Brown (Noon 45mins), S Brown, Ince, Mahoney, Spencer (Brickell 22mins), Salmon, Porter.


Attendance: 143