Bamber Bridge followed up Saturdays Victory against FCUM with an equally impressive display at Nethermoor Park, home of Guiseley AFC on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon. The Briggers coming away with all 3 points thanks to a Nathan Pond goal midway through the second half.
Right from the kick off Brig looked to be full of running and playing with the confidence of Saturdays victory. Bamber Bridge carved out the first opportunity of the game when a free-kick midway into the Guiseley Half found the head of Nathan Pond at the far post, Pondy headed the ball back across goal where Paul Dawson met it with an acrobatic volley, the ball whistling just over the bar.

The home side also looked up for the challenge and Felix Goddard in the Brig goal had to be alert as he climbed well to claim a free kick from the right side of the penalty area. The next chance for the visitors came from Fin Sinclair-Smith, who received the ball wide on the left of the box, his first time goal-bound shot was deflected by the foot of a defender and fell kindly for the home keeper.


Paul Dawson then tried his luck from a a free kick 22 yards from goal after he had been fouled on the edge of the penalty area, The Brig striker struck a curling low shot around the wall but the keeper was well placed and made a comfortable save. By this stage, mid way through the half, the Lancashire side were enjoying a good spell of pressure and pushing the hosts back. Guiseley always offered a threat however and Brig had to thank Captain, Macaulay Wilson for a terrific interception as he stopped a breakaway with a superbly timed tackle.

Another Free kick for Bamber Bridge 25 yards out saw Fin try his luck, his fierce effort missing the target by just inches. Brig were really zipping the ball around the excellent looking pitch, a move down the right wing ended when the keeper dived well to claim a low driven cross from Fin.


The half ended with the sides all square at 0-0. An entertaining 45 minutes with Brig having played the better football.

No changes as the second half got under way and Brig continued where they had left off. Pondy flicked on a dangerous ball into the 6 yard box that was hooked clear, before Matt Thomson sailed a deep cross over from the right touchline that dropped out of play just beyond the far post. Fin then won the ball off a defender on the right of goal, he whipped over a cross to Paul Dawson who saw his shot blocked, the ball falling to Dave Perkins who fired over the bar.

Brig were getting well on top but had a lucky escape minutes later when a long ball forward had Felix Goddard racing from his goal to clear, The Brig keeper completely missed his kick but fortunately the ball had enough pace to roll out of play before the Guiseley striker could reach it. From the resulting goal kick and with an hour gone, Brig took the lead, Sheldon Green taking possession just inside the Guiseley half and threading a superb pass down the channel for Fin Sinclair-Smith, Fin raced on to the ball leaving the defender in his tracks and steered across a superbly timed low ball in the path of Pondy who gleefully slammed the ball into the back of the net from 4 yards out to give Bamber Bridge a deserved lead.


5 minutes later Brig made two changes with Fin and Noah Alabi making way for Isaac Sinclair and debutant Marley Blair, the later having signed just last night, Marley had been playing his football in Iceland and previosly been at the Academeys of both Liverpool and Burnley

As the 2nd half edged towards the last 15 minutes the home side began to build up a head of steam as they went in search of the equaliser, a shot following a corner flashed over the bar. With time ticking on slowly, Brig were being pushed back but defending resolutely. Chris Churchman making a great interception to clear from a right wing cross as the home striker shaped to shoot. Felix then climbed well to punch away from a corner as the hosts piled on the pressure.

Two dangerous looking free-kicks were defended by Brig as the referee indicated 7 additional minutes. A series of corners were cleared by Brig before a free kick was blocked brilliantly by the Brig defensive wall. 98 minutes had elapsed before the referee brought proceedings to close much to the delight of the Brig fans, players and staff alike.


The players came over to take the applause of the visiting fans who responded with a roar of approval to acknowledge a terrific performance and 3 very well earned points.

Bamber Bridge take a break from League action next weekend when the FA Cup comes along. Brig having a home tie in the first qualifying round against Northern League Wickham FC.

Substitutes: Daly, Hoyle, Riding, Blair, Sinclair.

Att: 627

Bamber Bridge’s pursuit of that elusive first win of the season continues after a 2-0 reverse at the hands of newly promoted Warrington Rylands at the Rylands Recreation Club on Tuesday evening. Two second half goals saw the hosts record their first victory of the season in a game best described as nervy, lacklustre and lacking in quality.


Bamber Bridge made their first ever visit to Rylands for a competitive fixture on a warm late August evening. The game started in Frantic fashion with the ball seemingly pinging from end to end. No real pattern emerged as neither side managed to get any particular grip on the game. Chances were at a premium, the nearest Brig came in the opening 30 minutes was a Rhys Turner shot from the edge of the box as Fin Sinclair-Smith chested the ball into his path. The shot disappearing over the bar.

A low Fin cross then flashed across the 6 yard line, but there was no one on hand to supply the finishing touch. Rylands picked up 3 first half yellow cards as their robust style of play certainly unsettled the visitors who simply never got into any kind of rythmn.  The home side had the bulk of possesion in an entirely drab first half without really testing Felix in the Brig goal. At the other end, The home keeper was similarly unemployed. The nearest Brig came to breaking the deadlock followed a fine sweeping move down the right wing, Harvey Hughes whipped a low cross over to Rhys Turner who turned and fired in a good effort that cleared the bar by inches. That was by some distance the best moment of the match for Bamber Bridge.


A dangerous free-kick on the edge of the Brig penalty area for the home side came to nothing as the half fizzled out to leave the scoreline goalless at the break.

The home side had the first opportunity of the 2^nd period, a forward pass leading to the ball being hooked clear from close to the goaline after the striker looked to have beaten Felix Goddard in goal. Brig responded and Noah Alabi found himself with a clear run on goal, but the home keeper raced forward to spread himself well and block the shot. Aaron Skinner then fired a tame shot well wide, before the Rylands keeper made his first save of the night, collecting a Volleyed effort from Isaac Sinclair comfortably.


With the game drifting to what looked an inevitable goalless draw, the hosts took the lead on 71 minutes. Felix Goddard, saved the initial effort but Brig failed to clear the danger and the ball was returned and thumped home to put the hosts in front. Two bookings for the visitors saw Noah Alabi and Aaron Skinner pick up yellow cards as frustrations began to show. Brig made two changes, Sheldon Green and Will Riding replacing Isaac Sinclair and Noah Alabi. Sheldon was only inches away from connecting with a Fin right Wing cross at the far post just moments after his introduction but the ball flashed past him and out for a goal kick.

With the match coming to a close, the home side doubled their lead to give the scoreline a somewhat flattering appearance. Corner from the right dropped to the Rylands striker who struck a low shot, the ball seem to squeeze through the grasp of Felix in the Brig goal to put the result beyond doubt and pretty much sum up a disappointing evening.


The full time whistle ended a frustrating night for Bamber Bridge, a game where the visitors never got into their stride didn’t trouble the home keeper nearly enough. A poor game all in all and Brig now must await the arrival of FCUM this coming Saturday where they will hope to get that elusive first 3 points. Players and staff alike will be well aware that an improvemtn on last nights showing will be required.

Bamber Bridge were beaten 4-2 on The opening day of the 2022/23 Season in Sweltering heat at The Marston Rd Stadium, home of Stafford Rangers. A 44^th minute red card for Captain Paul Dawson with the scores at 1-1 made the 2^nd half task increasingly difficult for the Lancashire visitors.

With pitch side temperatures approaching 33 degrees at 3pm, Brig had 5 players making their League debuts. Felix Goddard on loan from Blackburn Rovers, Harvey Hughes on loan from Blackpool, David Perkins, Tom Hoyle on loan from Fleetwood and Luke Daly. The match started at a surprising pace, Brig looking to sweep the ball across the bone hard and parched surface whilst Rangers opted for the more direct “up and at em” approach.


Playing in their new all yellow away strip it was Bamber Bridge who opened the scoring in the 7^th minute. A long ball played down the left channel was superbly controlled by Finn Sinclair-Smith before he stepped to his right and smashed a low volley in to the bottom corner of the net. The Rangers keeper making a valiant full stretch effort to save the shot, getting a hand to the ball but he couldn’t keep it out.

Brig looked confident and another smart passing move on 12 minutes found Aaron Skinner wide on the right, The Brig midfielder drove in to the box and fired across a fierce shot that Belford in The Rangers goal did well to parry away before the ball was hooked clear. That save proved critical as just 2 minutes later Stafford Rangers grabbed the equaliser. A fine one touch passing move down the left wing saw the ball switched across the pitch for Joe Kenton to drill home at the back post.


The players took a drinks break midway through the first half and the Brig fans behind the goal had a decent chat with the Home keeper Cameron Belford who was recognised as having played for Radcliffe last season.

Back underway in the sweltering heat and it was the hosts who now had momentum following their equaliser. The home side looked to throw the ball in to the box at every opportunity, clearly playing to their strengths, and with the aid of an exocet type long throw in from the right, that reached the far post on a couple of occasions, the Brig back line certainly had their hands full in heading clear, and looking to slow the pattern of play down.

Bamber Bridge were now playing on the break and Fin was unlucky with half time approaching as a fine goal-bound volley from a right wing cross was blocked and cleared. The game changed however in the 44th minute. A Brig goal-kick was cleared up-field and as Paul Dawson rose to challenge fro the ball close to the dugouts on the touchline, he was adjudged to have elbowed his opponent. The home players reacted immediately and The referee had no hesitation at all in brandishing a red card that was fully justified.

What the Brig captain was thinking about, is anybodys guess, but it was a ridiculous thing to do and as Captain of the team he let the club down badly.


The half time whistle arrived seconds after the free kick leaving Brig with a very difficult second half to come, in such trying conditions with only 10 men.

As expected the home side came out of the traps flying at the start of the second half and pinned the visitors back with a series of corners. Brig had made a half time change with Rhys Turner replacing Luke Daly. The Brig forward went on to have a terrific 45 minutes, but it was the home side who took the lead from the penalty spot, Nathan Pond penalised for hauling down Tonks, after the Rangers forward he wrestled possession from the Brig centre half. Tonks, dusted himself down and calmly slotted the spot kick in to the bottom corner leaving Brig with a mountain to climb.


Rhys Turner almost brought Brig level on the hour following a swift passing move, receiving the ball with his back to goal, the Brig striker swivelled and fired in a powerful shot from the edge of the box that flashed inches wide of the post with the keeper beaten. Brig were really putting in a shift and Finn Sinclair-Smith made two lung bursting runs down the right wing, but was crowded out on both occasions.

Following the 2^nd half drinks break, Brig made their 2^nd change as Noah Alabi came on for his league debut in place of Isaac Sinclair. Before the 6^th debutant had time make is mark, the hosts effectively made the game safe. A pacey break down the right saw the ball smashed home from the edge of the area to give Rangers a 3-1 advantage.

Brig, showing commendable spirit fought back, Noah Alabi with great skill and footwork as he jinked in to the area from the left and cut the ball back across the 6 yard line, the ball being hooked clear as the Visiting forwards looked to pounce. Finn then whipped over a great cross from the right, just too high for Pondy who had been pushed up front but collected by Noah at the far post, he controlled the ball well before getting in a goal-bound shot that was blocked close to the goaline.

Brig made their final change on 83 minutes, Churchy replacing David Perkins, But with throwing everyone forward there was always the chance of being caught out at the back and that happened on 85 minutes. Another slick passing move from the hosts ended with Alex Kiwomya smashing home from close range to give Rangers an unassailable 4-1 lead. Probably against the balance of play in the second half but always likely with Brig having a player less in the sweltering heat.


Bamber Bridge grabbed a deserved second goal and claimed the final goal of the game in the 90^th minute as Rhys Turner headed home following a great shot from Noah Alabi on the left, the keeper parrying the ball into the air but Turner was on hand to nod it home.

Three minutes of added time later the referee brought the game to an end. A valiant 2^nd half display from the 10 Brig lads with subs Rhys Turner and Noah Alabi both looking very sharp. The first half dismissal of Paul Dawson may or may not have contributed for the loss but it certainly didn’t help.

Brig must move on swiftly as this coming Tuesday evening we host newly promoted Marske United at The Sir Tom Finney Stadium, they will arrive full of confidence having won their opening fixture 3-1.

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Bamber Bridge made the relatively short journey to Shawbridge on Tuesday evening , home of Clitheroe FC for the penultimate pre season fixture of the new season. Clitheroe for some reason not wearing their usual Royal Blue, but looking resplendant in a Brazil like kit of Yellow shirts and light blue shorts and white socks.

Fortunately no points were at stake as Brig suffered a thumping defeat against their Ribble Valley opponents. Right from the kick off Clitheroe set the tone for the evening as they came out of the traps flying. Infract Brig were quite lucky not to be reduced to 10 men in the first minute as keeper Danny Roccia raced from his goal and completely flattened the Clitheroe striker bearing down on goal. The resultant free kick being cleared.

Brig had a chance to take the lead on 10 minutes but Nathan Pond, playing as a striker just couldn’t reach a low right wing cross at the back post as he stretched to make contact, the ball being hooked away to safety. The home side continued to dominate possession not giving Brig any time to settle.

The opening goal arrived on 20 minutes. A Brig attack broke down on the edge of the Clitheroe box and a rapid break saw the home side race to the other end, a square pass and the ball was swept home from close range. 5 minutes later and it was 2-0, this time a cross from the right was steered home.

Bamber Bridge were struggling to have any impact on the game and were simply being outplayed as the first half drew to a close. A 3^rd almost arrived as a home player raced 50 yards down the pitch evading 2 tackles before before getting in a shot that Danny Roccia was equal to. However, the 3^rd goal arrived on 44 minutes, ironically coming moments after Brig had come close to pulling a goal back. An Isaac Sinclair daisy cutter from the edge of the box had the Clitheroe Keeper at full stretch to tip it around the post for a corner. That corner was cleared, Clitheroe broke away, burst through the Brig backline and the ball lashed into the back of the net.

Half time and a 3-0 lead to the Ribble Valley outfit that was fully deserved.

The 2^nd half started with both side having made a couple of changes with Trialists a plenty coming on to the pitch. 5 minutes into the half and Brig were awarded a penalty. Trialist (E), was brought down and Paul Dawson stepped up to slam the ball home. Game on ? No, not really, despite a 5 minute spell of pressure from Brig, The hosts regained their 3 goal advantage on their next sortie into the Brig half. A long ball played over the top, Brig seemed to stop claiming offside, The Clitheroe forward lashed the ball home from 15 yards into the roof of the net.

It should have been 5 minutes later as a free header looped on to the roof of the net. A Brig opportunity saw a a great diving header from a right wing cross well saved by the home keeper. Danny Roccia then made a terrific save as a Clitheroe striker ran free into the box, Danny diving right to stop the ball on the goaline. Another fine save by Danny just a minute later kept Clitheroe to 4 as they poured all over the Brig defence.

More substitutions saw the game fizzle out in the closing stages. The home side clearly happy with their nights work. Brig looking pretty shell shocked to be fair. A Brig shot from distance was deflected over the bar for a corner, but once again, from that corner Clitheroe broke away rapidly and made it 5-1, Danny Roccia unlucky with his attempted save, the ball just creeping over the line.

That was the last of the action as the referee ended the “contest” with Clitheroe romping home to a convincing 5-1 victory. OK, this was just a friendly, but Bamber Bridge really were never at the races tonight. Nothing lost though and we move on to the final Pre Season fixture with a home game against a young Blackpool side at Irongate on Saturday.