December 2024

The last match before Christmas took Bamber Bridge to the relativity local venue of The Project Solar Stadium, better known as Ewan Fields and home to Hyde United. Always a tough venue and often a high scoring encounter. On this occasion, we didn’t see too many goals but the 553 supporters in attendance were well entertained on a bitterly cold and windy December day with an exciting end to end encounter with both goalkeepers performing superbly.

In fact it was so windy, Brigger John Lickley was flabbergasted to watch the onions on his half time Hot Dog blow off and sail away into the darkening sky!

Do it for Martin !!

Bamber Bridge had welcomed back striker Harry Scarborough into the match-day squad, who following his two very successful loan spells at Irongate from Chorley, is now playing his football in The USA, however a 4 week window has enable Scarbs to rejoin us for a month.

Both teams looked bright in the opening stages with contrasting styles on view. Brig looking to play their quick passing football, with The Tigers opting for the more direct approach. The first opportunity of the game fell to Mark Cullen who picked up a neat pass into the edge of the area, stepped to his left and curled a shot just wide of the far post.

Ewan Fields

Hyde were next to show their attacking intent when ex Brigger Ewan Bange found himself on the end of a left wing cross but his header cleared the bar. The game already had the makings of an end to end contest as Brig came close again, a snap shot from Liam Brockbank following pinball around the edge of the box was fired towards goal, the home keeper diving left to make a good save.

The best move of the match came on 25 minutes. A superb interchange of one touch passing from Brig sent Pottsy clear into the box. The keeper was quickly off his line to close down the Brig Captain and make a teriffic save. But as often can be the case in Football, a chance not taken at one end is gobbled up at the other and literally seconds later Hyde took the lead. A quick break down the left, the ball zipped across the box and finished from close range.

Brig roared back and with their next attack the Lancashire visitors drew level, a fine ball out to the left found Lima Brockbank, the Brig left back took a touch before whipping over an inviting cross that was caught by the wind and sailed over the head of the home keeper to drop in to the back of the net at the far post.

A Bamber Bridge free kick from 25 yards out on the right of the penalty area beat the wall but warmed the hands of the home keeper as he parried the ball and dived forward to gather it. At the other end a fine save from Brig’s Blackpool loanee keeper Harvey Bardsley kept the scores level going into the half time break.

The second half began much as the first had ended with both teams intent on attack. Jack Baxter tested the home keeper again as he was picked out on the edge of the box with a good run and pass from Pottsy, the shot taking two attempts from the keeper to keep it out. Seconds later and Jack Baxter was again denied by the home stopper, this time saving with his legs to deny Brig. The keeper then enhanced his already impressive display tipping a 25 yard piledriver over the bar.

On the hour Harry Scarborough was introduced with Mark Cullen making way. Scarbs almost made an immediate impact as his low drive following a great through ball from Jarma Mohamed from the left side of the area was once again saved by The Tigers keeper.

It wasn’t all Brig however as United were also creating opportunities. A superb blocking tackle from Macca cleared the danger before a terrific goal-line clearance was required as a right wing corner was whipped in.

Harry Scarborough then delivered a deep cross from the right, Pottsy met it with downward header at the far post, the keeper was wrong-footed but was relived to see the ball creep inches wide of his left hand post. Billy Bould who had also recently come on as second half substitute then met a long throw in with a side foot volley, again the ball running agonisingly wide of the post.

Hyde United struck the outside of the post with a 20 yard free kick and another effort flashed just wide as the hosts started to step up the pace in the closing stages. Brig held firm with the young keeper commanding his area well, and indeed it was the visitors who created the last chance of an absorbing match as Pottsy tried his luck with a 25 yard swerving shot, the keeper diving left to push the ball away.

So, Full time, a 1-1 draw and on reflection a fair result. Brig might consider they had the chances to win it, but I dare say Hyde Utd will feel the same way. A hugely enjoyable game, a good away point for Bamber Bridge and a Hot Dog minus the onions for John !!

Next up is the mouth watering prospect of the visit to The SFC Stadium of Lancaster City on Boxing Day in what should be a Christmas Cracker of a Lancashire Derby