April 2024

The last League match of an up and down type season and The Briggers were off to Basford United in Nottinghamshire. The Last league away game is now also Jazzy Shirt Day, with all the Bamber Bridge supporters decked out in a fine array of appalling shirts !! or in Adam’s case a full Suit. Crickey it was cold though considering it’s the end of April.

Briggers trying to look warm !!

The less said about the actual match, the better I suppose, seeing as we ended the season with a 4-0 thumping against a side who only last weekend secured their safety in The North Premier League with a 10^th minute of injury time equaliser away at Champions Radcliffe.

I guess the last three matches have epitomized the season For Brig. Coming back from two goals down last weekend to beat Whitby Town and end a seven game losing streak, and followed up with a superb 2-1 Victory against League Runners up Macclesfield on Tuesday evening. Brig again coming from behind to take the points. Then today's match. Coming in to the game at Basford Brig were looking to end the League Campaign on a high with three straight victories. However with one eye clearly on next Tuesdays nights Lancashire Trophy Final against Colne. The game fell flat as a pancake and once Brig went behind, there was no coming back.

The Lancashire Lads had started the game very brightly and in the opening 10 minutes looked likely to continue the winning run, but the early intensity soon dropped off and Basford Took the lead on 20 minutes when an unchallenged run from the half way line allowed the United No.9 to race towards goal before playing it to the path of The No.11, who slotted home through the legs of The Brig keeper.

Bamber Bridge never recovered from the set back back and in truth never really looked likely to do. The rest of the half was played out at testimonial pace with the hosts going in a the break with a one goal advantage.

In to the second half, and any thoughts of a Brig fightback were extinguished 7 minutes later when the Basford No.11 grabbed his second of the game. Following a Brig corner the ball was played out quickly and launched up field. A cross from the right was met at the back post and headed home with Ellis Litherland-Riding in the Brig goal getting a good hand to it but unable to keep it out.

On the hour Brig made a triple substitution with Ali Waddecar, Billy Bould and Harry Scarborough, replacing Michael Potts, Danny Forbes and Danny Edwards, but 2-0 became 3-0 on 75 minutes and in fairness it was a cracker. A 30 yard screamer from the right side of the pitch whistled in to the top corner of the net. On eighty minutes The Nottinghamshire side made it four but the game had been done long before the third and fourth goals arrived.

Adam Proudly showing off the Jazzy Shirt Winners Trophy

In truth, the day was more about the fans having a colourful day out and the disappointed of the defeat was soon on the back burner with the judging of the most atrocious outfit. The result was similar to the football really, No contest. Adam had it stitched up from the moment he got on the coach in his flashy suit. The coach journey home was upbeat with thoughts turning to Tuesday evening in Leyland. A Brig victory in the Cup final would certainly put a completely different light on the season. A mid Table finish and a trophy in the cabinet would send everyone off on their summer holidays in good spirits.

Full Time: Basford Utd – 4 Bamber Bridge – 0

Brig: Litherland-Riding, Edwards, Churchman, Adubofour, Grand, Forbes, Doumbouya, Potts, Cullen, Leigh, Mularkey-Mathews.

Subs: Scarborough, Bould, Waddecar, Marlow

Brig man of the Match / Day: Adam Lickley.

Attendance: 427