A great day for our Ryan getting a hatrick lets just hope that he continues his goal scoring and Brig keep winning

Well Done Ryan. Steve give him my congrats will ya

Alsager Town 5 Bamber Bridge 4

NPL 1st Division
14th November 2006

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge were unlucky to finish on the losing side in this nine-goal thriller on their first ever visit to South East Cheshire side Alsager Town after taking the lead on three occasions in the first-half. A combination of low-quality defending and some indiscipline was to be their undoing in what otherwise was a very entertaining encounter before a meagre attendance of just 64 souls at the Town Ground.

League newcomers Alsager Town were looking to maintain the sort of home form that had produced three points at their Town Ground on Saturday when the Cheshire side had comfortably beaten strugglers Wakefield by 3-1. Bamber Bridge were likewise eager to put some further points on the board after overcoming First Division high-flyers Eastwood Town in a 4-3 thriller at storm swept Irongate at the weekend. In their first ever meeting on the 5th September the sides had fought out a 2-2 draw at Bamber Bridge.

Brig manager Andy Whittaker made three changes to his starting line-up from the Eastwood Town game on the previous Saturday. Club captain Jamie Squires returned to the centre of the defence replacing Kevin Brown who picked up a knock in the Eastwood game and Karl Noon came in to lead the attack in place Neil Spencer who had injured himself scoring Brigs second goal in the same game. Goalkeeper Dave Newnes returned after injury taking the place of his stand-in Graham Bennett.

It was an almost impossible task in identifying individuals in the Alsager team due to the grey coloured numbering on the players black and White striped apparel.

The visitors got into their rhythm first and went ahead after only 7 minutes play when Tom Ince took a short corner to Steve Brown on the right. The Brig midfielders sweeping cross was touched home by the inrushing Karl Noon with the home defence in some disarray.

‘The Bullets’ reacted strongly and launched a wave of attacks and soon gained parity when their lofty central-defender Paul Ireland headed home from a well placed cross from out wide on the right by Paul Macari.

Their was little between the sides at this stage and as the obligatory rain began to descend both sides settled down to play some good open football. However, during a frenetic five minute spell three more goals were added to the score-sheet.

The South Ribble boys took the game to their opponents and it wasn’t long before they were rewarded for their creativity and re-established the lead on 29 minutes. Ryan Salmon was brought down by a clumsy Ireland challenge just inside the Town penalty box as the young striker was in full flow and Alex Porter showed his gratitude by sending ‘Bullets’ goalkeeper Adam Wilkes the wrong way from the resultant spot-kick.

The hosts equalised on 33 minutes when winger Anthony Marshall made a good run down the unguarded left flank and his accurate cross found the head of Lee Madin who deposited his effort in off the far post with the Brig defence in a complete tangle.

It was breathtaking stuff and within a minute the visitors got their noses back in front for the third time when Salmon placed a fine header beyond the reach of Wilkes following a tremendous centre by Steve Brown.

Brig had their tails up and on 36 minutes a fierce Porter free-kick from distance was saved at full stretch by the alert Wilkes.

If the pundits thought that they had seen it all in the first 45 minutes they couldn’t have been more wrong. Indeed, the drama was to continue unabated after the break. Before anyone had time to fully digest their half-time pie a further goal had been scored.

The second period opened with a flourish and an inventive Brown corner-kick found Salmon free on the edge of ‘The Bullets’ penalty box. The Brig striker’s accurate low drive was acrobatically tipped around the post by the agile home keeper.

Alsager recovered immediately and after clearing the resultant corner went straight down to the other end and equalised for the third time in the game. Lee Madin got clear of Brigs back line and drew David Newnes from his goal before confidently slotting home in style in the 48th minute for his second goal of the game.

Macari went close shooting just over Newnes crossbar as the homesters stepped up the pace. Their cause was dramatically aided after 60 minutes when Brig skipper Jamie Squires got his marching orders by referee Mr Granda after receiving his second yellow card of the game following a reckless challenge on Simon Eldershaw.

Alsager took full advantage as Brig fought desperately to reorganise their defensive formation and got their noses in front for the first time when Macari fired home through a ruck of players in the 65th minute.

Brig’s ten men were struggling to get back into the game but manfully plugged away and continued to look threatening on the break. However, they were completely undone on 85 minutes when ‘Bullets’ substitute Richard Mitchell put the score beyond the visitors reach. Mitchell had brought a fine diving save out of Newnes with his first touch of the game on 81 minutes but was not to be denied and with his next shot pushed the ball past the exposed Brig keeper four minutes later with the visiting defence at sixes and sevens.

Brig pulled a goal back two minutes later when Roberts knocked the ball into the path of Salmon who sent a screamer in on the half-volley giving Wilkes no chance for his fifth goal in the last two games. However, time had run out for the gallant Lancastrians and they trooped away disconsolate at the final whistle.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Fleming, Fletcher, Squires, Melling, Porter, Brown, Mahoney (Roberts 80mins), Noon, Salmon, Ince (Myers 62mins). Only tw o subs named.

Attendance: 64

Get in Ry, another goal. Hes starting to hit a bit of form now, if only the defence did so as well!

Yeah he has hit form atl ong last he has had rave reviews in the local paper this week which will give him even more confidence.

Brig manager has said that sorting out the defence is his main objective now which is good news i feelthe goalkeeper Newns is a bit iffy i prefer the other one but he never gets a look in.

Bamber Bridge 1 Buxton 3

NPL 1st Division
18th November 2006

By Dave Rowland

First Division leaders Buxton consolidated their position at the top of the table after completing the double over Bamber Bridge in this entertaining encounter at Irongate.

The Derbyshire side were on a high after claiming poll position in the First Division following a fine 4-1 success at Belper Town during the week. Brig on the other hand were hoping to get back on track after a disappointing 4-5 reverse at Alsager Town.

Manager Andy Whittaker was forced to make just one change to his line-up from the trip to Alsager bringing in Paul Roberts to replace the unavailable Steve Brown.

After a somewhat low-key start the game suddenly sprung to life when the league leaders were rocked on 6 minutes as the Lancastrians took the lead.

Brig striker Karl Noon had been brought down twenty yards from goal and the Irongate club’s leading marksman Alex Porter accurately dispatched the resultant free-kick past Scott Hartley in the Buxton goal for his 12th strike of the season.

Buxton responded quickly and Brig goalkeeper Dave Newnes did well to keep out a Paul Walker effort moments later.

At the other end Roberts just failed to get on the end of a Danny Mahoney cross as the game began to open up.

Buxton looked sharp going forward with midfielder Michael Towey particularly prominent. But the impressive visitors were not having things all their own way and Danny Mahoney showed some great skills spraying plenty of accurate passes about much to thediscomfort of the Buxton defence.

However, Buxton were just edging things with plenty of creative movement down either flank as the game became an absorbing contest before Brig's biggest home gate of the season.

The visitors endeavours were to be rewarded on 21 minutes when, from a free-kick taken a good twenty-five yards out, full-back Tommy Angus sent a fierce shot past a startled Newnes for the equaliser.

Now with their tails up, Buxton took the game to Bamber Bridge playing some fine football but the home defence held firm.

Karl Noon flashed a shot just wide of an upright on the half-hour mark as if to remind the First Division pacesetters of the potential danger, Brig having netted 8 goals in their previous two outings. Jamie Squires also went close a few minutes later, narrowly heading over a Porter cross from the left.

A loss of concentration saw the Brig defence completely unlocked on the stroke of half-time following some untidy marking as Buxton got their noses in front.

On 45 minutes Buxton winger Alvyn Riley weaved his way past Danny Mahoney and Jamie Squires down the left flank before finding Mark Reed with a fine cross from the bye-line. Reed headed home at the near post with the home defence in some disarray.

Bamber Bridge came out battling in the second period and began to push the ball around with growing confidence. However, just when it appeared that things might be turning their way, they lost one of their key players in bizarre circumstances. On 72 minutes Alex Porter was dismissed by referee Mr Stewart following an altercation with a spectator as he went to take a corner-kick.

A further set-back completely killed off any chances of a revival for Bamber Bridge four minutes later when central-defender George Melling floored Reed inside the penalty area. Reed dusted himself down before powering the spot-kick home, sending Newnes the wrong way.

To their credit the ten-men kept plugging manfully away but the task was just too much to ask of them and the Derbyshire side ran out comfortable winners.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Fleming (Myers 84mins), Fletcher, Squires, Melling, Roberts (Edmeads 54mins), Ince, Mahoney, Noon, Salmon (Campbell 87mins), Porter.

Attendance: 265

Oh Dear, although they are the league leaders!

tell your cousin good luck

hope he bags a few more goals

Hi, can anyone tell me anything about Nigel Greenwood's time at Bamber Bridge, and is it the same one who is currently at Fleetwood Town. When did he play for Bamber Bridge. He was with Halifax when they were relegated in 1993.

Im sure our Ste will be able to fill u in

Bamber Bridge 2 Prescot Cables 1

(After extra-time)

NPL League Cup, 2nd Round
28th November 2006

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge collected their second Premier Division scalp in this seasons League Challenge Cup competition when overcoming Prescot Cables by 2-1 in extra-time at Irongate after having disposed of Radcliffe Borough by an impressive 6-3 score-line in the First Round at the end of October. Brig came back from a goal behind in extra-time to move through to the Third Round with debutant Mark Edmeads grabbing the winner.

Both sides took a welcome break from league action with Brig hoping to put the 1-3 defeat at home to league leaders Buxton on the 18th November well behind them. The Irongate club were also looking forward to a return to the fray after their last two games had fallen foul of the recent bout of wet weather. The Merseyside club were hoping to continue on a winning streak after having beaten Ashton United 1-0 in the Premier Division on Saturday at Valerie Park.

Brig manager Andy Whittaker made five changes to his line-up from the Buxton game. The entire central defence were unavailable with Jamie Squires suspended and George Melling and Kevin Brown out through injury. Striker Ryan Salmon was also suspended and Greg Brickell was released during the week. Back from injury were defenders James Archer and Robin Myers. Midfielder Steve Brown returned after being unavailable recently due to work commitments. Making his first full debut was Mark Edmeads who has been outstanding recently for the Lancashire League side. Veteran striker Neil Spencer was selected to lead the line.

Bamber Bridge came out of the blocks with a vengeance and almost scored twice in the opening few minutes. A finely executed through ball by Danny Mahoney put Spencer in on goal after just 3 minutes but the strikers effort was blocked at point-blank range by Cables goalkeeper Ryan McMahon. Then ten minutes later following a neat interchange between Karl Noon and Spencer, Steve Brown fired just wide of McMahon’s left hand post.

The visitors were finding it hard to settle as Bamber Bridge went about their business with some purpose. Indeed, Brig looked more comfortable on the ball as they dominated much of the midfield, being well served by Alex Porter, Steve Brown and Mark Edmeads. It was made apparent from the word go that the South Ribble boys were not going to be overawed by their loftier opponents.

Very little was seen of the Merseysiders as an attacking unit and on the half-hour mark they were lucky not to have conceded when former Cables man Noon skimmed the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the penalty box.

Prescot continued to look disjointed and Spencer almost sneaked a goal after 38 minutes when he turned and shot just wide with McMahon well beaten. Spencer should really have put Brig in front just prior to the break when McMahon saved with his legs when the Brig man fluffed his lines from six yards out.

Whilst not posing any genuine threat in the first 45 minutes, the visitors came out fighting in the second period and nearly scored twice in as many minutes. Gary Jensen found Eammon Price in space virtually straight from the kick-off, but the wingman failed to capitalise and on 47 minutes Jensen got on the end of a smart Lee Smith pass, but Brig goalkeeper David Newnes was quickly off his line to snuff out the danger.

Despite this early threat Bamber Bridge soon regained the upper hand and Noon was unlucky to see his shot cleared off the line by a defender after a sparkling run down the left.

The Brig youngsters battled on with Spencer and Porter going close with reasonable efforts before Cables responded and Newnes was called upon to thwart Price when bravely diving at the wingman’s feet to smother the danger on 85 minutes.

Just before the end of normal time Cables were reduced to ten men when central defender Karl Bell left the field with a back injury. Unfortunately for the visitors they had used all their substitutes.

Despite this Cables got their noses in front five minutes into extra-time when Mahoney felled Price in the penalty area. Substitute Dean Thurston confidently fired the resultant spot-kick past Newnes.

Within two minutes Brig equalised when Steve Brown sent in a screamer from fully 25 yards out after a Porter corner had been knocked back to him. Then on 102 minutes the game was won when Brown found Ince out wide on the right and his cross was met by Edmeads who showed great composure when slotting home from ten yards past the stranded McMahon much to the delight of the home following.

The ten men battled on gallantly and almost equalised in the second period of extra-time when Price headed narrowly over after a pin-point cross from Smith.

Brig should have had a third goal just before the end when substitute David Campbell missed in front of an open goal after a Noon cross from the right had found him completely in the clear.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Mahoney, Archer (Roberts 111mins), Myers (Ince 81mins), Fleming, Fletcher, S Brown, Edmeads, Spencer (Campbell 100mins), Noon, Porter.

Attendance: 108

Gwarn the Bridge, Nice1 Ste

Yeah good result but our Ryan was suspended

Bamber Bridge 2 Kidsgrove Athletic 1

NPL 1st Division
2nd December 2006

By Dave Rowland

Desperate for points to bolster their sagging fortunes in the First Division, Bamber Bridge won their seventh league game of the season, overcoming their Staffordshire hosts 2-1 in this finely contested encounter at the Irongate Ground. Two second-half strikes by Karl Noon were enough to settle matters for the Lancastrians after Kidsgrove Athletic had taken the lead in the first-half.

After eliminating Premier Division opponents in the League Challenge Cup during the week both sides were hoping to convert their successful cup form into attaining points in the league. Fourth-from-bottom Kidsgrove Athletic, who have nine games in hand on their Lancashire hosts, were looking to keep in touch with the mid-table pack after having won just one of their last six games in the First Division. Brig were hoping to avenge the single goal defeat suffered at Hollinswood Close earlier in the season.

Bamber Bridge boss Andy Whittaker welcomed the return of suspended pair, skipper Jamie Squires and Ryan Salmon to the fold although, leading marksman Alex Porter was absent owing to a three match ban imposed for his dismissal in the recent game against league leaders Buxton. Tom Ince took Porter’s place on the left wing.

Both sides showed a great deal of passion and endeavour in the opening period and Bamber Bridge were unlucky not to have gone ahead on 15 minutes when Mike Fletcher’s header struck the crossbar.

The visitors took the lead on 20 minutes when Stephen Jones fed Michael Lennon down the left of midfield. Lennon launched forward, brushing aside two tackles before pushing his shot neatly past Brig goalkeeper David Newnes.

The goal inspired Kidsgrove who began to threaten the home defence with some penetrating football but the woodwork again came to their aid on 35 minutes when Brig striker Ryan Salmon saw his well placed effort defeat goalkeeper Matthew Conkie but come back off the goalpost.

Despite this scare the Staffordshire boys were calling all the shots and Bamber Bridge were having to defend desperately and were glad to see out the rest of the first-half without conceding any further goals. Grove’s strong physical, but fair approach play troubled the Brig youngsters and the visitors were well served by pacy wingman Mark Carrington and the skilful hard working Jones.

The second-period was a complete contrast to the first 45 minutes as the South Ribble side came out with all guns blazing. Indeed, it took them only three minutes to equalise.

Brig centre-back Allen Fleming headed a Conkie clearance straight back into the danger zone following a crisp attack by the home side and Noon was first to react smacking his shot on the half-volley past the stranded Conkie after 48 minutes.

The goal gave Bamber Bridge just the lift they needed and it was now the turn of the visitors to do some desperate defending. Gone was the slick fluency displayed by Kidsgrove in the first period as Bamber Bridge got down to business playing with renewed determination. It was little surprise therefore, when the home team got their noses in front on 66 minutes.

A mix-up in the Kidsgrove defence saw Aiden Matranga almost head into his own net with the ball being only partially cleared. Noon was lurking inside the box to take advantage and he headed home from close range with the Kidsgrove defence all over the place for his second of the afternoon.

Bamber Bridge were now well in control and nearly increased their lead on three occasions late on with two fine efforts by Salmon and a well struck free-kick by Steve Brown which was palmed over by the agile Conkie.

Fletcher then saw his fine effort fly narrowly wide after 79 minutes as the Staffordshire side wilted.

After looking in trouble at half-time Bamber Bridge deservedly collected all three points after a battling second-half display.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Myers, Archer, Squires, Fleming, Fletcher, S Brown, Mahoney, Noon, Salmon, Ince. Unused Subs : Roberts, Edmeads, Spencer.

Attendance: 159

Yes, another win for the boys, well done noony, Ste, any chance of putting the league table up?

Yeah i will go and find it

http://www.unibondleague.com/tables.php

Here is the table for you guys to have a look at

Cheers Ste mate, shame all the teams around the bridge have got so many games in hand!!

Yeah it's a tough league that one were any team can beat each other.

Bamber Bridge's new chairman reckons the sky's the limit for the UniBond League Division One club. Terry Gammans has taken over from Nigel Webster as chairman at Irongate and has already got big plans.

Mr Gammans, 54, who hails originally from London, said: "There is a really fantastic atmosphere here at the club and we want to take that even further. "I am very confident that we can move up the league from our current position in the middle of the table."

Terry, who is the managing director of a financial advice firm, has been in talks with manager Andy Whittaker (pictured) to come up with a three-year plan to push the club forward.

He said: "Our three-year aim is to firstly finish higher in the league this season and then make a push for promotion. "I'm confident that next term we will gain automatic promotion and then in the third year of the plan consolidate our place in the Premier Division."

With Andy Whittaker at the helm, Terry says the club has a bright future, he said: "Andy is a tough but fair manager, he brings a lot of experience to the club and I back him 100 per cent. "It is a tough game at this level. We have a young side, but I will be making sure that Andy has the tools to strengthen the side. "We will be aiming to bring in one or two more experienced players, who we think will complement the talented youngsters we already have here."

As well as improving things on the pitch, Gammans hopes to boost the atmosphere off it, he said: "We want to become the hub of the local community. "We have some fantastic facilities here and feel that some people are missing out. "It's a great place to come to for the whole family on a Saturday afternoon. "There aren't many places where you can come to see great football with plenty of goals and be sure that it is a safe environment for your children, but this is one of those places. "We want to encourage families to come along and see what the club is all about. "It's an exciting time for the club and I feel honoured to be part of it."