Saturday 23rd April
2022
Northern
Premier League
 Bamber Bridge -
1 Nantwich Town - 1 
By Alan Bateson
The
Northern Premier League 2021 / 22 Season came to a close this
afternoon, the first fully completed season in almost 3 years. For
Bamber Bridge, a 6th placed finish, missing out on a play
off position by just 2 points might, at first thoughts seem
disappointing, but lets put things into perspective.
Bamber Bridge, with one of the smallest
budgets in this ever
improving League started the season as a lot of peoples favourites to
be relegated. The Manager, Coaching staff and playing squad though
different and against all odds, took the the play off chase right to
the final game of the season. A remarkable achievement from Jamie
Milligan and everyone involved with the football club. The highest
position Bamber Bridge have finished in the last 25 years. The
standing ovation at the end of the today's match for a deflated
looking squad, told them all they need to know. We are extremely
proud of them all. In the days to come, when they reflect on the
season they will all come to realise that they have performed
magnificently over the last 9 months and finishing 6th in
the NPL is a great achievement.
Pre- match pitch
watering. The wind took the water as far as the car park!! (Photo from
BBFC Twitter feed)
So on to today and Nantwich Town came to
Irongate having only in
recent weeks secured their own survival in the NPL. A swirling and
gust wind was always going to make for difficult playing conditions.
And so it proved as both teams struggled in the early stages to
combat the wind.
The Dabbers had the first opportunity with
a headed chance from a
left wing corner just flashing wide of the post. Brig were trying to
keep the ball down and a good interchange between Dan Martin and Mark
Yeates saw Yeatsey, charge in to the penalty area, but was
dispossessed as he shaped to shoot. With neither side able to create
anything clear cut in the opening exchanges, we had to wait until the
25th Minute when Fin Sinclair-Smith got his head on a
whipped in right wing Mark Yeates cross. His powerful header,
crashing back off the cross bar. Five minutes later and Brig came so
close again as Jake Thompson won the ball just outside the area,
strode forward and tried to slot the ball in the bottom corner. The
Nantwich keeper spread himself well to make a fine save with his legs
to push the ball around the post for a corner.
Mascots awaiting the
arrival of the teams
A the other end The Cheshire visitors came
ever so close just before
half time as a free kick from 25 yards, flew over the wall but struck
the inside of the post before flashing across the 6 yard box and
being cleared to safety.
The second half started with Brig playing
with the wind at their
backs. However it was the visitors who started the half on top and
took the lead following a right wing corner. Joel Stair rising
highest to head the ball into the back of the net. Brig made their
first change as Rhys Turner was brought on to replace Jake Thompson.
The pressure from Bamber Bridge was beginning to build and an
inswinging corner was cleared from right under the crossbar by the
Dabbers keeper as he flicked the ball over the bar. From the corner
the ball fell to Dan Martin whose shot was comfortably held by the
keeper.
Photo taken from
Nantwich Town official Twitter feed
Jake Daniels came on to replace Dan Martin
for the final 15 minutes
as Brig began to force the visitors back. Joe Strawn then replaced
Isaac Sinclair as news came through that Matlock had doubled their
lead. Jake Daniels saw a shot from the left just clear the bar before
a Joe Strawn effort was deflected on to the post and out for a
corner. The third time Brig had struck the woodwork.
With the game heading into stoppage time
Bamber Bridge scored a
deserved equaliser. A wind assisted left sided corner from Mark
Yeates, deceived the keeper and dropped into the net at the far post.
With Brig pushing for the winner, James Aspinall was called upon to
make a fine save from a Nantwich break away. Diving low to save from
ex Brig Loanee Akiel Raffie.
That was the last action of the match as
the referee brought
proceedings to a close. An 8 game unbeaten run for Bamber Bridge to
end a fabulous season. The home side gathered in a huddle before
walking towards The Briggers behind the goal who gave the whole
squad a well deserved standing ovation.
Millie and Macca
looking disappointed. They can stand proud. Magnifiecent !! (Photo from
Official BBFC twitter feed)
The initial disappointment will soon pass.
It’s been a fabulous
season. We will be back stronger than ever next season and ready to
go again. What a fantastic football club this is. From the Players,
The Manager, Jamie Milligan, Captain Fantastic, Macaulay Wilson, the
coaching staff, the clubhouse staff, the volunteers, The sensational
video coverage this season from Tom and all the fans. Its been an
absolute pleasure. Thanks to everyone and I can’t wait to do it all
again in just a couple of months. #upthebrig
Full Time:
Bamber Bridge – 1 Nantwich Town – 1
Bamber Bridge: Aspinall, Skinner, Thomson,
Martin, Wilson (Capt.),
Pond, Thompson, Dawson (P), Sinclair, Yeates, Sinclair-Smith
Subs: Carney, Turner, Strawn, Churchman,
Daniels
Att: 634
|
Easter Monday 18th April
2022
Northern
Premier League
 Lancaster City
- 0 Bamber Bridge - 1
By Alan Bateson
A
1-0 away victory for Bamber Bridge at Lancashire rivals Lancaster
City on Easter Monday ensured that Brig go in to the last match of
the season, this weekend at home to Nantwich Town, with the play offs
still a distinct possibility. Matlock Town in 5th position
sit just 2 points above Brig and they have a difficult looking
fixture at home to Warrington Town this coming Saturday. While
Scarborough Athletic, 3 points ahead of Brig entertain Radcliffe.
Pre Match Drinks in The Three Mariners. Excellent pub.
Bamber Bridge arrived at The Giant Axe on
Easter Monday afternoon on
the back of an impressive run of 6 wins and a draw in the last 8
fixtures. Jamie Milligan opted for the same starting 11 that gained
all 3 points at home to Morpeth Town last Saturday, the only squad
change being the inclusion of Rhys Turner, back from injury replacing
Kevin Spinelli on the bench.
A minute’s applause and a fine tribute from Lancaster City for
George Melling who represented both clubs with distinction, preluded
this afternoons match played on a dry and bobbly pitch but in
pleasant sunshine. Bamber Bridge started well, Paul Dawson with an
early headed opportunity that was comfortably held by The Dolly Blues
keeper.
Main stand at The Giant Axe
A Mark Yeates corner on 15 minutes to the
back post was headed back
across goal and Isaac Sinclair connected well, only to see his shot
charged down. With the pitch looking quite difficult to play the
ball on the ground, both sides opted to hit the ball long and the mid
section of the first half became somewhat frantic and scrappy with
few, if any opportunities created by either side. James Aspinall
saved well from a drive from distance on the half hour, before
Lancaster came close to taking the lead when an inswinging free kick
from the left struck the inside of the post before being hooked
clear.
Jake Thompson, in a rich vein of form for
Brig won a right wing
corner following a good run, as the game swung from end to end. Aaron
Skinner then fired over a superb right wing cross from the right,
both Paul Dawson and Isaac Sinclair looked set to attack the ball but
great defending saw the ball flicked away from danger and out for a
corner.
With the game heading for the half time
break goalless, Brig took the
lead with a fine goal. A long pass down the left side was misjudged
by the City Defender, Fin Sinclair-Smith won possession and drove
forward in to the penalty area, before sweeping over a a terrific low
cross which was met by the advancing Isaac Sinclair at the far post
who buried the ball into the back of the net from 6 yards. The Brig
fans behind the goal exploded in celebration.
The second half began with Bamber Bridge on
the front foot. A Matt
Thomson shot from the edge of the box sailed over the bar, before a
Fin Sinclair-Smith shot was comfortably held by the home keeper.
James Aspinall, who has had a brilliant start to his time at Bamber
Bridge, then made a fine save from a shot from the edge of the
penalty area.
With the game opening up, a Bamber Bridge
free kick towards the back
post was headed back across goal by Fin but was cleared by the home
defence. A Mark Yeates free kick struck the ball just moments after
“Macca” had received a yellow card for a tussle on the left hand
side of the penalty area. The Lancaster free kick coming to nothing.
The Briggers
Joe Strawn came on to replace Jake Thompson
on 70 minutes. The Brig
winger having put in another great performance. Brig enjoyed a good
spell of pressure as the game entered the last 15 minutes, winning a
series of corners. Fin Sinclair found the back of the net, only to
then see the Linesman's flag raised for offside.
Lancaster still posed a threat though and
James Aspinall had to be
alert to gather a 25 yard free kick. The Lancaster supporters though
they had levelled the score on 85 minutes but much to the relief of
the visiting Briggers the referee had already blown for a foul on
Brig keeper, James Aspinall. At the other end, Isaac Sinclair forced
the home keeper in a fine save as his low shot was parried and then
cleared. Brig made a second change as the game entered stoppage time,
Rhys Turner replacing the ever impressive Fin Sinclair-Smith.
The referee added a further 5 minutes of
stoppage time before
bringing proceedings to an end with Brig picking up another 3 points
to take the season in to the final game this weekend at home to
Nantwich Town. A marvellous achievement in it’s own right.
The players taking the applause and applauding the visiting Brig fans
The players, Manager and coaching staff came over to applaud the
travelling Briggers who responded with a terrific ovation. One game
to play of what has been an outstanding season from Jamie Milligan
and Bamber Bridge.
Full Time:
Lancaster City - 0 Bamber Bridge – 1
Brig:
Aspinall, Skinner, Thomson, Pond, Wilson (Capt.), Martin,
Thompson, Dawson (P), Yeates, Sinclair-Smith
Subs:
Carney, Daniels, Churchman, Turner, Strawn.
|
Saturday 16th April
2022
Northern
Premier League
Bamber Bridge
- 3 Morpeth Town - 2 
By Alan Bateson
|
Bamber Bridge
guaranteed themselves a top 8 finish following a fine
3-2 Victory at home to Morpeth Town in a humdinger of a match at The
Sir Tom Finney Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With just two games
remaining of a remarkable season for Brig, The Lancashire side find
themselves just 3 points behind both Warrington Town and Scarborough
Athletic chasing the last available play off places.
Morpeth Town had
arrived at Irongate in 7th position in
the Northern Premier League, just 2 points behind 6th
placed Bamber Bridge. Prior to the match a minute’s applause rang
around the ground in honour of George Melling. A local non league
Footballer who represented Bamber Bridge amongst several other North
West non League Football Clubs. George sadly passed away recently
following a long battle against Motor Neurone Diesese at the
tragically young age of just 37.
Minutes
applause for George Melling
Bamber Bridge
started the match in fine style and in only the 3rd
minute, Jake Thompson struck the post with a fine 18 yard shot from
the edge of the box. Just moments later, Paul Dawson tried an
audacious chip that just cleared the crossbar.
Brig were really
pushing the visitors back in the early stages and
Fin Sinclair-Smith came close to giving the hosts the lead as he
connected with a right wing Jake Thompson cross, his controlled low
volley saved superbly by the visiting keeper as he dived left to push
the ball around the post for a corner.
Brig desrvedly
took the lead on 20 minutes following a corner from
the right. Mark Yeates whipped in the corner which was hooked clear
at the near post, the ball coming straight back to Yeates, this time
his inswinging cross found the head of Paul Dawson who’s powerful
downward header from 6 yards found the bottom corner of the net. Brig
were playing some really good football at this stage of the game and
a flowing move down the left ended after Mark Yeates cut inside but
saw his goal bound effort blocked and cleared.
With Bamber
Bridge doing almost all the pressing it was the North
Eastern Visitors who equalised on the half hour. James Aspinall had
made a fine save from a long range shot, the ball was partially
cleared but returned into the penalty area, a further shot wa again
saved by Aspinall but the follow up effort was slammed home to level
the scores.
But Just two
minutes later Brig regained the lead. Aaron Skinner was
picked out, wide on the right and his pin point cross found the head
of the advancing Paul Dawson, who from 6 yards, powered his header
back in the direction it had come, wrong footing the keeper and
restoring the Bamber Bridge lead and scoring his 2nd goal of the game.
The Irongate pitch
looking in superb shape
Fin
Sinclair-Smith came close to increasing the Brig lead on 40
minutes, as he burst free down the left, carried the ball for almost
40 yards before cutting inside and striking a daisy cutter that beat
the keeper but also the far post by inches.
James Aspinall
rose well to claim a dangerous Morpeth Corner before
Fin made it 3-1 to the home side with a fine individual goal just on
the stroke of half time. Beating the offside trap the Brig striker
raced in to the box, drawing the visiting keeper before curling a
superb effort in to the bottom corner of the net to give Brig a two
goal advantage at the break.
The second half
started with Bamber Bridge well on top in the early
stages. An Isaac Sinclair penalty shout was waved away by the referee
before Brig again came close just minutes later when Fin Sinclair
Smith struck a superb outside of the foot pass in to the path of Jake
Thompson wide on the right, the Brig winger knocked a great ball
across the box, Great defending saw the ball being swept away from
the toe of Isaac Sinclair just as he shaped to shoot.
Moments later
and Brig almost scored what could have been the goal
of the season. A diagonal ball ball from left to right found Paul
Dawson who’s sublime controlled volleyed pass played the ball in
the into the feet of the advancing Jake Thompson, who struck a superb
20 yard shot that cleared the bar by just inches.
Second later and
with Brig pressing hard for a fourth, Isaac Sinclair
chested the ball down before firing in a low shot that was well saved
by the Morpeth keeper. But with the Lancashire side well on top at
this stage of the game, it was the North Eastern visitors who struck
next, ensuring a nervy finish the the match. A long ball in to the
Brig penalty area from the right and the referee adjudged that the
challenge In the box merited a penalty kick, It Looked harsh form
the other end of the pitch but the penalty was duly dispatched and a
game in which Brig had looked comfortable was suddenly anything but.
The visitors
looked buoyed by the goal and pressed Brig back. James
Aspinall twice making important interceptions to claim crosses in to
the box. Jake Thompson who’d had a fine game came close to
restoring the two goal advantage but his shot sailed just wide of the
post with the keeper at full stretch.
Bamber Bridge
made 3 changes as the match entered the final stages,
Jake Thompson replaced by Joe Strawn, before both Mark Yeates and
Isaac Sinclair were replaced by Craig Carney and Jake Daniels. With
Brig looking to hold on to the lead, a nerve jangling last 5 minutes
ensued with the visitors looking to pump balls in to the Brig penalty
area. James Aspinall again showing dominant goalkeeping by rising
high to collect the ball. The second of these, saw a red card shown
to the Morpeth striker as he clattered in to the Brig keeper after he
had the ball safely in his hands.
The Beer Festival
bar, also looking in great shape
The referee
added an additional 5 minutes before blowing the full
time whistle with Bamber Bridge claiming all 3 points in what had
been a superb Northern Premier League encounter.
A terrific
advert for The NPL and a deserved 3 points for the
homeside on the overall balance of play. Every credit to our visitors
though for taking it right to the wire.
For Bamber
Bridge, It’s now an Easter Monday trip up the A6 to face
local rivals Lancaster City. Two games to go and still all to play
for. What a season. Massive credit to Manger Jamie Milligan and all
the backroom staff, players and indeed supporters. Whatever happens
from here on in, It’s been an absolutely fantastic season for
Bamber Bridge. Roll on Easter Monday.
Full Time:
Bamber Bridge – 3 Morpeth Town – 2
Bamber Bridge:
Aspinall, Skinner, Martin, Thomson, Wilson (Capt.),
Pond, Thompson, Dawson (P), Sinclair, Yeates, Sinclair-Smith
Subs: Carney,
Strawn, Spinelli, Churchman
Att: 399
|
Saturday 9th April
2022
Northern
Premier League
Hyde United - 0 Bamber Bridge - 4
By Alan Bateson
| Bamber
Bridge made the relatively short journey to Ewan Fields, home of Hyde
Utd on Saturday afternoon and came away with all 3 points with a
convincing 4- 0 away victory. Brig produced probably their best away
performance of the season to end the day
in 6th position in The
Northern
Premier League,
just 3 points behind both Warrington Town and Scarborough
Athletic who currently occupy the final two play off places with just 3
games to go. |
Pre match drinks
|
Brig
started with debutant keeper James Aspinall in goal following PNE
recalling Matt Hudson back to Deepdale. The new keeper having a fine
game between the sticks.
On
a bitterly cold but bright April day, Hyde Utd were the first to
threaten, on 5 minutes with debut keeper James Aspinall making a
great save following a right wing corner,. But it was Brig who opened
the scoring on 7 minutes. Following a neat passing move, Isaac
Sinclair played a delightful ball through to Jake Thompson who slid
the ball superbly passed the advancing keeper to give Brig the lead.
Clearly lifted by the early goal, The Lancashire side started to fizz
the ball around the pitch. Mark Yeates ended a flowing move down the
right side when his shot from a low square pass flashed over the bar.
Brig
were well on top and twice The Tigers defenders were forced to head
clear off the line from inswinging corners. Fin Sinclair-Smith had a
driving run in to the box on 20 minutes but his low shot was
comfortably held by the home keeper. But the 2nd
goal was coming and on 25 minutes Isaac Sinclair doubled the Bamber
Bridge advantage, Another sweeping move, this time down the left side
saw a cross to the far post, the ball was partially cleared but
landed at the feet of Isaac who drilled a first time low shot from 18
yards in to the bottom corner of the net.
With
Brig dominant, another chance came as Jake Thompson sent over a
delicious low cross from the right that ran right across the goal,
Mark Yeates met the ball at the far post but good defending saw his
shot deflected away.
Hyde
still looked dangerous and on the half hour James Aspinall again was
forced in to a fine save, diving left to push the ball around the
post for a corner. Dan Martin picked up a booking as Brig looked to
contain The Tigers and preserve their first half advantage. Aspinall
making another fine save from ex Brigger Callum Spooner in the last
minute of the half.
|
|
The
2nd half started with the home side pressing their
Lancashire visitors back, Aspinall making a comfortable save from a
shot from the right. Brig had made a change with Matt Thomson
replacing Luke Higham. James Aspinall then made the save of the
match, diving full length to tip the ball around the post as the
hosts threatened to get back into the game. Brig responded and a lung
busting run in to the box from Fin, ended with a fine tackle as he
shaped to shoot. Fin again seconds later got on the end of a fine
through ball and fired in a shot which was well parried by the home
keeper.
Bamber
Bridge made a 2nd change with Craig Carney coming
on for Dan Martin as Brig started to dominate possession again. Jake
Thompson created space on the right and picked out Paul Dawson with a
terrific pass, the Brig striker was so unlucky as his bending shot
curled just inches wide of the post. Isaac Sinclair then had a
dribbling run into the box, his shot deflected straight to the keeper
before a Paul Dawson 25 yard dipping effort landed on the roof of the
net.
|
ields
|
Jake
Daniels came on as the final Brig change for Mark Yeates and
Bamber Bridge continued to pepper the Hyde United defence. A Paul
Dawson Free kick was struck over the bar before more great wing play
from Jake Thompson won a corner on the right. The corner was headed
out to Isaac Sinclair who lashed a a 20 yard shot just over the bar.
Fin Sinclair burst into the area on the right and his shot across
gaol was well saved by the keeper.
The
3rd goal was surely coming, and it duly arrived on 85
minutes. Jake Daniels broke away down the right and struck a fine
shot, the keeper parried the ball and it was hooked away for a corner
by a Hyde defender. The corner was played short and as Craig Carney
received the ball at the corner of the penalty area, he took a touch
before blasting the ball across the keeper in to the bottom corner.
With
the result now beyond doubt, Brig made it 4 as the game
approached stoppage time, Fin Sinclair doing the spade work with ball
sitting up nicely for Jake Daniels to rifle home his first Bamber
Bridge goal from 15 yards.
|
Players take the applause a
| The
full time whistle came moments later with the Brig players
heading over to their supporters behind the goal to receive a much
deserved ovation. A tremendous performance that leaves everything
still to play for in the final 3 games of the season. Next up is a
real tough fixture at home to Morpeth Town who sit just one place and
two points behind Bamber Bridge.
|
fter a
superb 4-0 victory
Full
Time: Hyde United – 0 Bamber Bridge – 4
Bamber
Bridge: Aspinall, Sinner, Higham, Martin, Wilson (Capt), Pond,
Thompson, Dawson (P), Sinclair, Yeates, Sinclair- Smith
Subs:
Carney, Spinelli, Thomson, Daniels, Strawn
 
|
Ewan Fi
|
Trevor
Sinclair wanted his photo taken with Me, John and Zoe. Seemd only fair
to grant him his wish