A Bamber Bridge away day in Nottinghamshire and a trip to The Windsor Foodservice Stadium, home of Worksop Town was on the menu on Saturday afternoon, with Brig coming away with all three points in a pulsating end to end match and a 4-2 victory.


The upturn in form continued as Bamber Bridge made it three away victories on the spin with 14 goals scored. This victory was arguably the most impressive against the play off chasing Tigers who prior to today's match had only suffered two home defeats all season.


A new ground for me today and an impressive one at that. The stadium is in pristine condition and boasts a smart and friendly clubhouse aptly named The Tigers Den. The locals took their defeat in good grace and were quick to praise the performance of their Lancashire visitors.

Bamber Bridge, playing in the unusual but strangely smart combination of white shirts, yellow shorts and yellow socks made a bright start and Harry Scarborough saw a shot blocked in the opening minutes before Adam Dodd fired inches wide at the far post following a Brig short corner routine. The hosts were also looking to get forward as the opening exchanges swung from end to end.


The game was held up for four minutes as Captain Macaulay Wilson required treatment for a cut after being caught in the face with a swinging arm. The Tigers player picking up a yellow card for the incident. Just two minutes after the restart Brig took the lead when a superb 25 yard piledriver from Callum Leigh flew passed the diving keeper in to the back of the net. The lead did not last long however, as almost immediately the home side levelled the score following a cross from the right wing.


The match settled down somewhat after that hectic two minute spell but the visitors had an opportunity to retake the lead as Mark Cullen swivelled in the penalty area to create space for a shot that the home keeper caught high above his head. At the other end a chipped effort was lofted over Brig keeper James Pradic but Michael Potts came to the rescue with a goal-line clearance.


The Tigers were enjoying the bulk of possession but Brig were looking good on the break, a driving run from Danny Edwards saw him tripped just outside the box to give Brig a free kick 25 yards out and centre of goal. Callum Leigh stepped up and drilled a low shot passed the defensive wall but the keeper was well positioned and saved comfortably. As the half entered stoppage time James Pradic made a fine reaction save from a close range point blank header.


The second half began as the first ended with both sides looking to attack. Michael Potts appealed for a penalty as a clumsy tackle brought him crashing to the ground as he raced into the area from the right. In truth it would have been harsh. But just just 5 minutes in to the second period Brig retook the lead. Mark Cullen controlled the ball superbly on his chest before releasing a fine pass to Jack Baxter wide on the left, Jack whipped a low cross along the 6 yard line where Danny Edwards met it it to slide a shot towards goal that took a deflection, wrong footing the keeper before nestling in the back of the net.

But just as in the first half, the lead didn’t last too long as Worksop Town levelled the score at 2-2 following a lofted ball into the box that was drilled home from close range. Brig Manager Jamie Milligan opted to make his first change as new loan signing from Chorley, Amadou Doumbouya was introduced in place of Mark Cullen. The change paid dividends for Brig as just as just two minutes later The Lancastrians took the lead for the third time. Another fine sweeping move from right to left, across the pitch found Danny Edwards wide on the left, his low cross picked out the advancing Adam Dodd who rifled the ball into the roof of the net from 10 yards.


Doumbouya then tried his luck from the right, skipping passed a challenge before curling a shot the just cleared the angle of post and crossbar. Brig were playing with confidence and flair as they swept the ball around the 3g surface and on 75 minutes made the game safe with a fourth goal. A Jack Baxter shot had been deflected and looped high into the air. Harry Scarborough was on it like a flash beating the out-rushing keeper to the ball and striking it on the half volley into the back of the net.


That goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home side as Brig controlled the match from here on in. Two late changes from Millie saw Jeff Adubofour replace Danny Edwards before Harry Scarborough made way for Danny Forbes. Brig comfortably saw out the remaining minutes plus the four minutes of stoppage time to claim a well deserved 4-2 victory. The home side had also played their full part in a thoroughly entertaining encounter and were quick to acknowledge that the better side on the day had taken the points.

The victory leaves Bamber Bridge in 12^th position in the NPL table with 38 points for 29 games. Following four away games on the bounce, Brig have the rare luxury of a home game to look forward to next weekend (weather permitting) as we welcome Ilkeston Town to The SFC Stadium.