After a pre season that seemed to last forever The Bet Victor
Northern Premier League finnaly got under way on Saturday at the
delightful Autoworld Arena in Matlock.
Visitors Bamber Bridge, in all red started brightly, playing against
the wind, but clearly intent on keeping the ball on the pitch. In the
early exchanges, chances where at a premium with neither side able to
conjure up a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Ryan
White making his 2nd League debut for The Briggers saw a
floated cross from the right drift just wide of the post, and then
Garry Pett, also making his 2nd” Brig debut chased down a through
ball and met the advancing Matlock keeper. In the ensuing tangle,
Brig claimed a penalty. The referee however, was unmoved and waved
play on.
Matlock had a half chance on 25 minutes when a nicely worked corner
was played across the 18 yard line, but the shot was swept over the bar.
The hosts were not to be denied however and following another corner,
Lloyd Rigby in the Brig goal was forced in to a fine low save, the
rebound was initially blocked but wasn’t cleared and Marcus Marshall was
1st to react, drilling the ball low in to the net to give the Gladiators the lead.
Brig continued to look very tidy in possession but were also find it
very difficult to get behind a resolute Matlock defence. With no further
chances at either end, the players went in for their half time break
with the home side leading 1-0.
The 2nd half started with Brig on the attack, Garry Pett
reacted well to a half chance in the box but his shot was comfortably
claimed by the home keeper. This lead to 3 corners in quick succession
for the Lancashire visitors but the home defence handled each one with
consummate ease to clear their lines.
Lloyd
Rigby was called into action once again on 60 minutes making a flying
fingertip save from a wind assisted 25 yard free kick, pushing the
ball over the bar for a corner. The match ebbed and flowed, but
really became more of a midfield stalemate with defences on top. A
Joe Booth free kick from the left hand side of the penalty area,
managed to sneak through the defensive wall but the home keeper was
alert and again made a comfortable save.
The
hosts came closest to adding to their lead as the half wore on but
Rigby again was on hand to save a powerful low drive and keep Brig in
the game. Brig made two changes with Matt Dudley and Danny Forbes
replacing Scott Harries and Daniel Wisdom respectively, and the
changes seemed to give The Reds a lift, however it was Matlock with
the next chance and what looked an open goal somehow drifted passed
the post as Bamber Bridge were caught on the break.
A 3rd
change came for Brig when Chris Marlow (Goose) was introduced,
replacing Ryan White, as the visitors poured forward looking for the
equaliser. More corners came and went before an almighty scramble in
the 6 yard box, was eventually cleared. The ball just not falling
kindly for any of the boys in red. As the ball was launched upfield,
the referee blew the full time whistle to the delight of the home
fans in a 402 crowd.
So, A
first defeat of the season, but a performance that showed promise.
The game could have gone either way, but it was Matlock Town who took
the points in a match played in great spirit.
As a famous ex Football Manager once said, “Football Eh? Bloody Hell
!” Sir Alex was bang on the money with that quote. And we witnessed
another example of what he meant at Irongate this afternoon. In a game
that was a credit to both teams and a fantastic advert for The Northern
Premier League, Bamber Bridge came storming back from what looked like
an undeserved defeat in the final 3 minutes to grab the equaliser and
then the deserved winner…. And what a winner.
Blue Skies, Hot sun,
Tee shirts and shorts. A pitch that looking absolute mint and a fine
choice of Real Ales at the bar. What a day to be a football fan. Brig
came flying out of the traps and penned the visiting Ashton United
back in the opening exchanges. Chances came and went, Some great
goalkeeping, some tremendous defending and … Lets be honest, one or
two car park threatening shots, and the score was 0-0 half an hour
in.
Ali Waddecar had seen one effort cleared off the line by the
outstretched boot of the Ashton United Centre half when he and the rest
of us behind the goal were convinced it was heading for the bottom
corner. Magnificent defending to be fair. The talk on the terraces, was
“We really need to take one of these chances”, and so, as it often does,
the inevitable happens. Our Mancunian Visitors launch an attack and
with their 1st real goalbound effort, they take the lead. “Oh
flippin heck” we all announced !! Seconds later and it could have been
worse. Lloyd Rigby in goal for Brig made a superb save to keep the score
at 0-1.
So, the half time
discussion, “how the bloomin heck are we losing this”. Have we no
cutting edge or have we been very unlucky. Well, I’d say we’d
come up against a keeper on top form and a determined defence. Could
we put that right in the 2nd half? Of Course we could.
As the 2nd half progressed, nothing seemed to have
changed. Still Brig were playing well, Still we were creating chances,
and still they weren’t finding the back of the net, as the Ashton keeper
just seemed to be having “one of those games”
But Football is just
not predictable, that’s why we love it. And just when we think we
are never going to break them down, we do just that. Danny Forbes
finding just a yard of space in the box and planting the ball into
the bottom corner to level the scores. “Get in”, great finish,
now we’ve got em……
No we haven’t…
Several more Brig chances later Ashton Launch attack number two..
(I’m being a bit harsh here, they’d had at least three attacks!),
and low and behold, they’re back in front.
Well that’s it, we’ve blown it, thrown it away. “Oh Ye have little
faith”. With The King of Brig, “Goose”, or Chris to his parents, already
on for the injured Danny Forbes, who’s goalscoring photo that I’d
posted on Twitter turned out to be Matt Lawlor !!!…Brig Manager Joe
Collins sent on Gary Pett for Scott Harries to join him….And it worked.
Just moments after a Goose downward header was magnificently saved at
the foot of the post by the keeper, another Brig corner was pulled back
to Adam Sumner, he whipped in a cross from the left, Goose flicked it on
and Gary Pett headed down into the corner of net….. 2-2, No more than
we deserve. Right lads, shut up shop, we’ll take a point……Oh Ye have
even less faith”
Into the last minute
and…. I cant remember how, but the ball lands at the feet of Goose,
just outside the penalty area to the right of the goals. Chris looks
up, thinks. “Hmmm the keeper is off his line here”…….Looks
down at the ball and curls a worldy over the oustretched stoppers
hand and in to the roof of the net !!!
Pandemoniam ensued, on the pitch and amonsgt our small group behind
the goal….”We’ve only gone and won it” The ref saw fit to make us hang
on for a further 5 minutes before blowing his whistle to let us
celebrate a terrific win in a pulsating match that really was great
entertainment.
Back in the clubhouse and Pete Nowell was keen to remind us of the
score. Although If I’m not mistaken He seems to be suggesting we lost
3-2 !!!!!
As the Scotsman said
“Football Eh? Bloody Hell”
Monday 26th August 2019
Warrington Town – 3 Bamber Bridge – 1
I’d like to think, I offer a fair and balanced view on the Bamber
Bridge matches that I watch. (And that’s pretty much all of them). With
that, there has to be, at times some criticism. And that criticism of
today’s performance at Warrington FC comes due to our apparent inability
to deal with corners, or crosses into the box in general. This
afternoon, the home side scored twice with headers direct from corners,
and also had a headed goal chalked off direct from a free kick.
Cantilever Park
It
does seem to be a recurring theme and one that I’m sure the
Manager, Coaches and players are aware of and working to rectify. Now
the second criticism I have today is the “lack of edge” we
sometimes display. Warrington badgered and harangued the referee,
particularly in the first half to the point where he might as well
have been wearing a yellow shirt. I don’t particularly admire this,
but sometimes you must fight fire with fire. It seems that sometimes
we are just “too nice”.
That said, we have a squad of talented players and some of the
football we played today was excellent. We bossed possession for large
parts of the game and moved the ball around really well. It has to be
said though, that in terms of real chances, Warrington kept us at arms
length, particular late on in the 2nd half when we had pulled
one back and where having a real go at them. They defended by throwing
bodies in front of the ball and blocking efforts at full stretch. They
had their lead and they weren’t going to let it slip.
The game had started brightly for Brig, in sweltering heat, chances
were created in the early stages with Goose putting over a couple of
superb crosses, the first met by Ali that was well saved, the 2nd
met by Danny Forbes whose header beat the keeper, but also the post.
But, as what seems to have been our achilles heel for some time, When we
don’t take the chances, the opposition do. A corner from the right,
swung in, a yellow shirt rises and we’re one down.
Now
again, in fairness, I’m a long way from the action. I like to watch
from the end we are attacking, so it would be unfair of me to offer
an opinion on how or if the goal could have been prevented.
Warrington were visibly lifted and their “get it forward quick”
approach had Brig back pedalling several times despite still playing the
neater football and still creating attempts at goal. Ali Waddecar, who
really must struggle to walk after matches due to the amount of running
and effort he puts in, was just getting no luck whatsoever in front of
goal, having seen the keeper save his earlier header, he then saw a
volley beat the keeper only to be blocked by the despairing lunge of the
Warrington Centre half, as it headed goalbound.
Ali
then had another shot saved before a Joe Booth daisy cutter was
palmed away by the home keeper. An immediate Warrington attack then
led to their 2nd goal, Lloyd Rigby rushed from his goal to
clear the long forward ball, his mistimed clearance landed straight
at the feet of the Home striker, who calmly stroked it into net to
double the advantage.
Brig
where rattled and almost immediately conceded a penalty. As both
Lloyd and a Brig defender clattered into the Yellow shirted forward.
The referee who by this stage of proceedings only seemed to be able
to point one way, pointed straight to the spot. Lloyd made amends
with a fine double save and the ball was cleared.
Danny
then came close with his headed opportunity before Another Warrington
free kick was headed home, fortunately the lino was flagging for
offside and the effort didn’t count much to the dismay of the home
side. With that the half ended 2-0
The
second half was a lot better from Brigs point of view, despite
conceding the 3rd, again what looked from the other end
like a free header direct from a corner, The fight was there to be
seen. No one could ever suggest lack of effort as the boys in Red
surged forward at every opportunity. Pushing the hosts back.
Warrington, having already attained a 3 goal cushion were content to
let Brig pass the ball around but at the same time when Brig did
threaten, they defended superbly and again threw bodies in the way of
the ball.
Brig pulled a goal back when Kieran Charnock reacted 1st
to a loose ball at the far post following a Brig free, kick, he side
stepped the keeper before lashing it home from close range, Ali, Ryan
White, Danny and Matt Dudley all saw efforts saved or blocked as Brig
continued to press.
Any thoughts of a comeback where dashed on 80 minutes when the
referee deemed a hard but fair challenge by Callum Spooner to be
reckless and showed him a straight red. We were stood with Warrington
supporters. They were as surprised at us. It was however, in keeping
with this referee’s performance all afternoon. Maybe he considered his
own decision because just 2 minutes later he balanced the teams again,
showing a 2nd yellow to Barnes, of Warrington, and off he trudged.
With injury time approaching, it looked like 3-2 but Matt Dudley’s
close range header from Ali’s cross whistled passed the post, he’ll know
he should have scored. With that chance gone, the final whistle sounded
and Brig tasted defeat for the 2nd time this season on their
travels. Warrington are a good strong side and will as usual, no doubt
trouble the play off places. For Brig, It’s another tough away day at
South Shields on Saturday.
We’ll
give them a game, we can give anyone in this league a game. But we
simply have to deal with set pieces and crosses into our box better
than of late.
What the team won’t lack is support from the travelling fans. We know
we are up against it in this League, but we also know we have the
players and staff to guide us to safety and respectability in what is a
superb Division.
Saturday 30th August 2019
South Shields – 4 Bamber Bridge – 1
A disastrous 8 minute spell towards the end of the 1st
half, following a solid opening half hour, crushed any hopes of Bamber
Bridge returning from Mariners Park with anything to show from the 300
mile return journey.
Four quick fire goals for South Shields rendered the 2nd half little more than a damage limitation exercise. Brig did recover some pride with a 2nd
half display that showed fight and spirit, no further goals were
conceded and Ali Waddecar’s spot kick at least reduced the arrears to a 3
goal deficit.
Brig
had arrived at the impressive Mariners Park well aware of the likely
onslaught from a side with aspirations of climbing out of the Bet
Victor Premier league at the top end. With a crowd in excess of 1,200
behind them and a squad boasting several full time time
professionals, it was always going to be a tall order for the
Lancashire visitors.
As expected, it was the home side who made most of the early running,
as they passed the ball around the immaculate surface and looked to get
through a well organised and resolute Brig defence. Chances were at a
premium, but Brig did manage several breakaways leading to half chances,
notably A Ryan White snap shot that was deflected over the bar for a
corner and then another Ryan White effort when he cut in from the left
and curled a low shot towards the far post. However the keeper was alert
and made a comfortable save.
Mariners Park, home of South Shields- taken from the coach
South
Shields were having the bulk of possession without creating much in
the way of clear cut chances, infract it was Brig who came closest in
the first half hour when Kieran Charnock stretched out a leg to reach
a Joe Booth Freekick. His connection was too good and the ball sailed
over the bar.
But, the wheels were to well and truly come off, from the 30th
minute when the hosts took the lead with a huge slice of luck, Shields
striker Gary Brown tried his luck from outside the area, his shot took a
massive deflection, completely wrong footing Lloyd Rigby in the Brig
goal and finding the back of the net. The goal completely rocked Bamber
Bridge, who simply never recovered their composure conceding a 2nd
goal just 2 minutes later, this a low drive following a run from the
left wing. Worse was to come, Just 3 minutes later and it was 3-0 and
game over. A cross from the left not dealt with and the Shields No.8
gleefully poked the ball home from close range. With Brig not having
ventured into the home sides half since the 1st goal, the final nail in the coffin came in the 38th
minute when the North Easterners were awarded a very harsh spot kick
for an alleged foul in the box. This was dispatched in to the roof of
the net as the stunned Brig supporters watched in disbelief at the
absolute collapse that was occurring in front of their eyes.
Lloyd
Rigby made two fine saves to limit the damage to four before the
referee saved Brigs blushes, by blowing the half time whistle.
The second half was always going to be a matter of Brig trying to
recover some pride while hoping that the home side took their foot off
the pedal. With Danny Forbes coming on to replace Phil Doughty and
Callum Spooner on for Ryan White Brig tried to use the strong wind, now
at their backs to regain their composure. Chris Marlow struck a fine 30
yard wind assisted shot that just cleared the bar before on the hour
Brig were awarded a penalty for a what looked another somewhat harsh
decision for a foul in the box. Ali Waddecar stepped up to smash home
his 1st goal of the campaign.
With the home side content with their 4-1 advantage and Brig
desperate not to concede any more, the half drifted to its inevitable
conclusion. Lloyd Rigby again made a couple of fine saves and at the
other end Daniel Wisdom (twice) saw efforts flash wide of the post for
the visitors while an Ali Waddecar header was comfortably saved by the
home keeper. The game ended moments after the home side had struck the
bar. The damage limitation exercise of the 2nd half being the
one positive Brig could take from a game that was never really in doubt
from the moment South Shields took the lead.
Despite the result, we enjoyed the Fabulous South Shields hospitality
Bamber
Bridge can consider that three of the toughest away fixtures are now
behind them, having already visited League Leaders Matlock Town along
with promotion favourites Warrington Town and South Shields. A home
game this Tuesday against Atherton Collieries gives Brig an early
opportunity to get more points on the board before an FA Cup
encounter next Saturday away at Trafford.
Matlock Town – 1 Bamber Bridge – 0 
South Shields – 4 Bamber Bridge – 1 
