Bamber Bridge returned to competitive action on Saturday afternoon, following the latest National lockdown. A 2-0 defeat at Wincham Park, home of Witton Albion, saw Brig exit The Buildbase FA Trophy at the first round stage.

This was by no means a poor performance from the Lancashire side, but, as has been the case in several Brig matches this season the home side took the chances they created, while Brig, neat and tidy in possession, failed to really trouble the home keeper.

In the opening moments of the game Witton Albion put Brig under immediate pressure, two crosses being cleared before a 3rd sailed out of play behind the goals. Bamber Bridge responded and quickly settled in to their neat and tidy passing game. The visitors where passing the ball well around the park but without really getting a siight of The Witton goal. Scott Burton had a goal bound effort blocked before Matt Thompson drilled a low shot just wide from the edge of the penalty area. The best chance of the half for Brig came on 20 minutes when a low left wing cross from Callum King-Harmes flashed across the 6 yard line. Matt Thompson stretched to get a toe on the ball but the home keeper dived forward to smother the ball and the chance was gone

With Brig looking the more likely of the two teams to open the scoring, it was the hosts that broke the deadlock on 24 minutes. A free kick from the half way line was launched towards the Bamber Bridge penalty area. Albion striker Will Jones got to the ball first and his flick header sailed into the back of the net with Brig keeper Danny Roccia getting a hand to the ball but unable to keep it out.


The home side took confidence from the goal, with Bamber Bridge looking to pass their way back in to the game. On 28 minutes, a flowing move down the right wing led to a corner. A low cross was drilled towards the 18 yard line, but picked up by the home defence who swiftly launched a counter attack, two passes later and the ball was drilled into the bottom corner of the Brig net by Isaac Baldwin. Bamber Bridge found themselves 2 goals behind in a half that they had so far largely dominated, possession wise.

The second goal clearly knocked the stuffing out of the Lancashire visitors as they struggled to regain any kind of control the only scare for the hosts in the remaining minutes of the half came by way of a scramble in the Witton goalmouth, the ball bounced around between two or three players before falling favourably for the home keeper to dive on and smother.


The second half stareted with Bamber Bridge making a change. The much welcomed return of Alistair Waddecar entered the fray, on as a replacement for Matt Dudley. Brig again started well again, but as in the first half, the home defence remained solid and repelled much of what Bamber Bridge had to offer. The little bit of luck that was needed just wasn’t there either, A cross from the right was dropped by the home keeper as he jumped to claim the ball, but as he landed he was fortunate to be able to scoop up the ball before any Brig forward was able to get a toe to it.

Danny Roccia was forced into a fine save at the other end before Ali Waddecar turned on the edge of the area and fired in a shot that the keeper saved comfortably. Rowan Roache and Jamal Crawford were introduced for Chris Marlow and Chris Churchman as Brig tried their best to force a way back into the match. A corner from the left was flicked on at the near post, by Macaulay Wilson but flashed just wide of the far post. Another fine passing move ended with the keeper once again diving to smother a cross cum shot from the right hand corner of the penalty area by Matt Thompson. The home side by this stage seemed content with their two gaol advantage and Brig chances were at a premium as the experienced Witton Albion back line kept Brig at arms length.

As we approached 90 minutes it became clear it wasn’t to be Brigs day. As sweeping move down the left, saw the ball moved across the edge of the penalty area before Callum Spooner fired in a low shot, The ball took a deflection off a home defender leaving the keeper stranded, only for the ball to cannon away off the outside of the post.
Three minutes of added time passed before the referee brought proceedings to a close and Bamber Bridge’s participation in this season FA Trophy was over. Witton Albion will entertain Nantwich Town this Tuesday evening in Round 2.

For Bamber Bridge? Well, we aren't sure, no decision has yet been made on the resumption of The Northern Premier League. We are scheduled to be at home to to Hyde United this coming Saturday 19th December. We shall just have to wait and see.