As I have written many times during the season. A point gained in any away fixture in The Northern Premier League is a good point. Brig returned from another long trip to the North East and came away with a 2-2 draw at Craik Park, home of Morpeth Town, or The Highwaymen as thy are nicknamed. On reflection however, Brig will probably feel they got themselves into a good enough position to return to Lancashire with all three points. Having led twice only to concede two set piece goals slightly took the polish off an otherwise really good performance. And in truth, on the balance of play, a draw was probably a fair result.

As Usual an early start from Irongate as we headed up the M6 towards, Carlisle, then East towards Newcastle before turning North again to the NPL outpost of Morpeth. I doubt there is a more idyllic setting for Football ground anywhere in the Country. Craik Park is some distance from the Town itself and is approached via a forest track. The stadium appears to be pretty much entirely enclosed by massive Pine trees.


A couple of obligatory pre match pints in the Clubhouse, where we are soon joined by the “Weekend away” gang of Pete, Helen, Rob, Sue, Ann, Tony, Howard and Heather. They had chosen to enjoy the weekend in an excellent looking B and B in the Town Centre of Morpeth, a town which they described a well worth a visit. Then it’s on to the pitch-side as the teams enter the Highwaymen’s Arena. Brig in White shirts, yellow shorts and white socks. There’s something about the colour mix for me. I think it looks great. It’s probably also fair at this point to mention the lack of fit players currently available to Milly. With about 10 players unavailable due to injury, Brig were only able to name two substitutes for this match.

A full match report will be provided by Seth Boardman, so this piece is really just a review of a Briggers day out in the North East, with a quick mention of the events on the pitch. Those events include Brig taking a 10^th minute lead when Jack Baxter struck a fine volley from just inside the box following a good move down the left. The ball taking a slight deflection and zipping into the bottom corner of the net.


Town looked to have equalised 10 minutes later but the Lino’s flag came to Brig’s rescue. Lewis Hey saw a great shot saved by the home keeper before the equaliser arrived. A long floated free kick from the close to the left touchline, A towering free header at the back post gave the Brig keeper no chance. The home side dominated possesion for the remainder of the half with Charlie Casper in goal making a terrific save just before the break to keep the scores level.


The second half began with the hosts still on top and another fine save from Charlie Casper was required before Brig stormed back restored their lead with a trademark strikers finish from returning Loanee Ewan Bange. A Doddy shot was saved but “Bangey” was on hand to tuck home the rebound from close range. Bange came close again before Brig succumbed to yet another set piece goal to bring us level again at 2-2. A corner flicked on at the near post is headed home from close range.


Full Time, The points shared, good game, great day out. Could we have won it? Certainly, but equally we could have lost it, so in the event a fair result. Just a shame that both goals conceded, where, from a fans perspective at least, preventable. But the performance was certainly worthy of another pint in in the Clubhouse. Always a friendly club to visit, and the locals were equally satisfied with the all square scoreline.



A Long journey home, but first a stop at a local shop and Pizza takeaway. Nice Saturday evening bonus for the proprietors of those establishments as Briggers do like to spend a bit of cash on food and drink prior to a 3 hour homeward journey. Pretty sure the shelves were almost emptied of bottles and cans of beer.