Bamber Bridge suffered their first defeat in six outings when they were beaten 2-0 at Nethermoor, home of Guiseley AFC on Saturday afternoon. A goal in each half was enough for The Yorkshire side to complete the double over Brig in a match that was somewhat lacking in goalmouth action. Brig looking largely ineffective in front of goal and didn’t test the home keeper until the 91^st minute.


The Lancashire side were forced in to several changes to the starting eleven with Goalkeeper James Pradic unwell and centre back pairing of Macaulay Wilson and Lamine Toure both suspended for the fixture. Aiden Hunt, on a dual registration loan from Euxton Villa took the goalkeepers gloves for the day with Sky Sinclair, Joe Strawn and Mark Cullen all involved from the start.


The early pressure in the game came from the hosts as The Lions pinned Brig back forcing a series of early corners. Aiden Hunt saved well at his near post from a low shot following a move down the right. But it was no surprise when Guiseley took the lead in the 12^th minute. Full back Reece Kendal firing home a superb shot into the top corner from 25 yards giving the Brig keeper no chance. And moments later the same player almost made it two, this time firing just wide of the post again from some distance out.


Brig responded and started to get more into the game. Danny Forbes played a lovely lofted pass through the centre of the pitch, Danny Edwards ran on to the ball but the alert home keeper raced from his goal and just managed to scoop the ball of the toe of the Brig forward. And just a minute later it was Edwards again picking up a fine ball down the right channel and whipping over an excellent low cross which deserved to be finished off but the reaction in front of goal wasn’t quick enough and the ball was cleared.


At the other end it was Aiden West again, making another fine save as the home side looked very lively in the attacking third of the pitch. Bamber Bridge were not helping their own cause with some wayward and sloppy passing. The home side were piling up the corner count and looking the more likely to add to the scoreline. A Brig free kick 30 yards from goal with half time approaching gave the visitors some hope and it was well worked, played low into Danny Edwards who again did well to square the ball into the danger area were Mark Cullen saw his close range shot blocked.


Brig started the second half looking a little brighter and an early corner was headed over by Danny Forbes, before Mark Cullen ran on to a fine through ball on right side of the penalty area before flashing a shot across goal and wide of the far post. Another slick move saw Harry Scarborough sent away down the right, Scarbs whipped in a superb low cross, but a fantastic last ditch tackle prevented the onrushing Danny Edwards getting in a shot from 6 yards which would have been a certain goal.

Guiseley themselves were an ever present attacking threat and another shot from distance hit the top of the bar and went over. Brig came back and were looking far more likely in the second half, Chris Churchman seeing a powerful drive from the right of the area just clear the angle of post and crossbar. But for all the improvement in an attacking sense the home keeper still hadn’t had to make any kind of save with game heading into the final stages.


Mille had made three changes during the second half with Billy Bould, Jeff Adubofour and Mackenzie O’Neil coming into the action. Despite all three subs making some impact the points were won for the Lions in the 89th minute. A corner floated across was dropped by Brig keeper Aiden Hunt and the ball was forced home from close range to double the lead. It was unfortunate for the on loan Brig keeper who’d had a good game and didn’t deserve that.

The referee signalled four added minutes and in the second of those Brig managed to test the keeper for the first time as a Billy Bould shot from the left of the 6 yard box was well parried by by home keeper diving to his left. That was as close as Brig were to come in a game that frankly won’t live too long in the memory.


The Irongate side has a chance to get back to winning ways this Tuesday evening as we visit The Giant Axe to face Lancaster City in The Lancashire Challenge Trophy. Then comes two difficult home fixtures when firstly Marine, then League leaders Radcliffe will be the visitors to The SFC Stadium over the next two weekends.

A Hard earned point from a long New Years Day trip to West Cumbria was the reward for Bamber Bridge, coming from two goals behind, to take 2-2 draw in a hugely entertaining match at Borough Park, home of Workington AFC, and in my view the finest old style classic football stadium to be found anywhere. A ground that just oozes character from every inch of the old stadium.



In All yellow Brig started well on a pitch that looked in good in very good condition despite the almost constant rain over the last few weeks. Mackenzie O’Neil fired in an early shot which the keeper saved comfortably as The Lancashire visitors looked to impose their slick passing game on the Cumbrians. Moments later and a Billy Bould effort following a fine pass from Jack Baxter sailed just over the crossbar. The Reds of Workington responded and James Pradic in the Brig goal was alert to make a save from low drive from just inside the penalty area.

The game was swinging from end to End, Brig looked to pass their way through the Reds backline whilst Workington took the more direct approach. Both sides enjoyed plenty of possession. Adam Dodd releasing Danny Edwards with fine ball down the right channel, leading to a corner kick and followed soon after by a jinking run from Harry Scarborough as he skipped past two tackles before finding the feet of Chris Churchman who moved the ball on to Adam Dodd who then sent over a dangerous cross that was well dealt with by the home sides defence.


Brig where winning several corners as they looked to get round the back of the Reds defence. And on 25 minutes from one such Brig corner the ball fell to Skipper, Macaulay Wilson who struck a powerful volley from 15 yards through a crowded goalmouth, the home keeper did well to react sharply and punched it clear, leading to a rapid breakaway, from which the hosts took the lead. From the keepers clearance, the Reds raced away down the right channel and from the edge of the box a low shot was fired in which flew in to the bottom corner of the net.

The Cumbrians were lifted by the goal and began to take control, a shot flashing over the bar before a superb 25 yard swerving shot from the left cannoned back into play off the face of the far post. Brig continued with their passing football and with the half drawing to a close Harry Scarborough saw a good low shot from just inside the area well saved by The Reds keeper. Brig ended the half on the attack as a Mackenzie O’Neil cross from a great Churchy pass was headed out for a corner. That was cleared and the referee signalled half time.


A second half change from Brig Manager Mille, saw Danny Forbes on to replace Billy Bould. But it was the home side who started the half the stronger and James Pradic had to dive full length to his left to make a fine save from a powerful close range effort. The Reds weren’t to be denied however and on 53 minutes they doubled their lead. A free kick awarded in a central position some 25 yards from goal ,was whipped over the wall with some aplomb, and swerved passed the despairing dive of James Pradic to find the back of the net.


Undeterred, Bamber Bridge continued to probe and a fine flowing move down the left wing eventually found its way to Mackenzie O’Neil 10 yards from goal, he delayed his shot just enough for the keeper to set himself and dive low and make a good save. But a minute later Brig were back in the contest, Ewan Bange pounced on a loose back pass but had his ankle clipped from behind as he prepared to shoot, The Brig striker stumbled but retained his balance and tried to side step the keeper but the trip had slowed his momentum. The referee however had spotted the infringement and pointed to the spot. Ewan stepped up and calmly stroked the ball in the back of the net sending the keeper the wrong way.

Brig were on the up and poured forward. Millie opted for a second change with Joe Strawn replacing Mackenzie O’Neil. And within 5 minutes of the change Brig were level. Ewan Bange (or it might have been Harry Scarborough), raced down the right and cut across the defender in to the penalty area before striking a low shot towards the far post, the ball beating the keeper but bouncing back off the inside of the post, Danny Forbes was on it like a flash, smashing the ball home from 4 yards to level the score.

The Lancashire Lads sensed victory with Danny Forbes seeing a good header from a left side corner deflected just wide and then Harry Scarborough racing clear down the right before firing in a low shot that was comfortably saved by the home keeper. Brig made a 3^rd and final change on 80 minutes as Mark Cullen replaced Ewan Bange. Another fine passing Brig move, down the left side saw Joe Strawn play the ball inside to Mark Cullen who laid it back into the path of the advancing Danny Edwards who hit a rising shot that just cleared the bar.


The final few minutes of the game however ,swung towards the other end of the pitch as the home side built up a late head of steam looking to grab the winner. Churchy was alert making a superb tackle to deny a goal scoring opportunity. The hosts forced a series of corners as the officials signalled 4 added minutes. The Brig backline holding firm to take the well deserved and hard fought for point from what had been a thoroughly enjoyable match, both sides deserving praise for their endeavours.

So we left the absolutely wonderful Borough Park with a point Brig now on a 5 match unbeaten run and hitting a rich vein of form as we move in to 2024. Next up, weather permitting is a home game against Marske Utd at the SFC Stadium this coming weekend.