Tuesday 5th November 2019

The season so far

The first week in November may seem a little early for a season review, but we are already more than a third of the way through the league campaign. So, How’s it going? Well, prior to our most recent game, last Saturday at home to Stafford Rangers, it could be safely argued that it wasn’t going too well. With Brig anchored to the bottom of the Bet Victor Northern Premier League. This match was pivotal to the season and vital that the lads picked up the three points against a Rangers team sat just one place above.

A brace from Alistair Waddecar duly delivered the points and moved Bamber Bridge four places up the table to leave us sittingin 18th position as we await the next match, another home fixture this weekend against Stalybridge Celtic.

Following the Stafford victory Brig have now played 7 home games, winning three, drawing two and losing two, giving us a points haul of eleven. That’s a pretty reasonable return. Unfortunately the away results haven’t been quite so favourable. Having played eight games on our travels, a solitary point with a last minute “Goose” equaliser at Buxton is all we have to show for the amount of time we’ve already spent on the road. We’ve already travelled a combined distance of 1,260 miles with long distance journeys to and  including, Grantham, Gainsborough and South Shields.

It’s been little better on our travels in the various cup competitions. It has to be said though, that we haven’t exactly “had the luck of the draw” so far. Drawn away in the FA Cup to Trafford, that ended with a 3-0 defeat and an early exit from the Worlds oldest cup competition. The FA Trophy also saw us fall at the first hurdle, going down 2-1 away at Nantwich Town. Our one success on the road to date came at the most local club we’ve visited this season. A last minute Matt Dudley free kick gave Brig a 3-2 victory at North West Counties Premier League high flyers, Longridge Town, in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy. The draw for the next round gave us another away tie at North West Counties Division One outfit Nelson FC. 

That fixture was due to be played on Bonfire Night in East Lancs. Due to floodlight issues at Victoria Park, known locally as “Little Wembley”, home of The Admirals. (nicknamed so, for obvious reasons !). The game was switched to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium. However, the weather beat us both and the fixture was postponed.

So, how’s it going? I asked at the top of the piece. Well, it looks a lot better than it did just a few days ago. It goes without saying that the away form is the Achilles heel of the season so far and simply must be addressed if the club are to prolong their stay at step three of the non league pyramid. 

It could, and should be argued though that we’ve been unlucky with some of the defeats on the road. The performances deserving of more on several occasions. There’s two thirds of the season to come yet, so plenty to play for. The Lancashire Challenge Trophy is a competition that can go a long way to instilling confidence, and we still have to embark on the League Cup, A trophy that we won just two years ago.

We have a lot more miles to cover on our travels and I’ve every confidence that we’ll start to pick up points and move up the table.We are still in there fighting and we have our heads above water. #upthebrig

Saturday 16th November 2019.. Bet Victor Northern Premier League

                           Hyde United – 4 Bamber Bridge – 1

Bamber Bridge’s poor away form continued at Ewan Fields, home of Hyde United on Saturday, when despite a spirited performance they came out the on the wrong end of a 4-1 beating. The away record in the League so far this season makes for dismal reading. One point gained from a possible 24 with seven defeats from eight matches.

A scrappy start to the game saw neither side created anything of note, Matt Thompson coming closest for Brig with a shot from distance that was comfortably parried and collected by the keeper. With Brig’s next attack they took the lead midway through the half, Ali Waddecar received the ball at the edge of the penalty area, turned, turned and smashed a terrific shot the cannoned back off the crossbar with the keeper beaten, James Dean following up gratefully tucked away the rebound to register his 3rd goal in three appearances.

Brig came close to adding to their lead minutes later when Joe Booth met a low cross from the left provided by Ryan White. His first time shot whistled just over the bar. As the half drew to a close the home side looked to increase the pressure but the Brig defence didn’t seem troubled, until the now all too commonplace defensive mix up occurred. What looked a miss hit corner from Hyde was flicked on at the near post and tapped home unopposed at the far post. Moments later and it could have been two, this time Matt Lawlor cleared off the line.

The half ended with an unfortunate injury to Brig wide man Ryan White, a challenge by the touch line, saw the Brig fall and twist his knee. Ryan had to be stretchered off and was replaced by Callum Spooner.

Bamber Bridge started the 2nd half brightly and Joe Booth headed over from a corner. Minutes later both Booth and Ali Waddecar had shots blocked as the visitors looked to get back in front. However, it was the hosts who took the lead. Following a long throw from the right, the ball fell to Hyde striker Chris Sharp who lashed a scorcher into the roof of the net.

Gary Pett was introduced in place of James Dean and the swap almost paid instant dividends, the Brig sub getting in a goalbound header that was superbly saved at full stretch by the Tigers keeper. But just moments later the game was effectively over as a contest. Another cross in to the box and the defender looked to have time and space to clear the ball, but as Brig dithered, the Hyde forward pinched the ball off his toes and slammed it home from the edge of the box. The Lancashire visitors tried to respond with Ali Waddecar, working his socks off as usual twice forcing the home keeper into a save. At the other end Lloyd Rigby made another fine save following a corner that had come back off the post. The rebound was cleared off the line before an overhead kick was saved well by the Brig stopper.

Bamber Bridge where caught in possession in the 80th minute leading to a swift Hyde breakaway, the ball eventually arriving at the feet of Jamie Crawford who slammed it home for the home sides fourth goal. A late Brig sub saw Danny Forbes replace Mat Dudley but the game had long since been lost. The last few minutes where played out with the home side passing the ball around confidently before the referee brought proceedings to and after 4 minutes of added time.

Brig will have a break from the torments of the League when they make the short journey to Nelson on Tuesday evening, weather permitting, for Lancashire Challenger Trophy tie. The game having already been postponed three times.

Full time at Ewan Fields. Hyde United – 4 Bamber Bridge – 1

Att: 392

Bamber Bridge: Rigby, Sumner, Thompson, Lawlor (Capt), Charnock, Wisdom, Waddecar, Booth, Dean, Dudley, White

Subs: Doughty, Pett, Spooner, Forbes.

Saturday 30th November 2019… Bet Victor Northern Premier League

Atherton Colleries – 4 Bamber Bridge – 1

The Bamber Bridge away day Horror show continued on Saturday afternoon, this time at the hands of Atherton Collieries. A 4-1 reverse left Brig with the shocking League statistic on the road of having played nine, losing eight, with just a solitary point since August.

The nine games have seen Bamber Bridge concede 28 goals whilst scoring just eight. Today’s defeat was also the 4th time Brig have returned home following a 4-1 thumping, having suffered the same margin of defeat at South Shields, Gainsborough Trinity and Hyde United.

At The Skuna Stadium, home of Atherton Collieries, the game was over well before half time, with the home side coasting into a three goal lead before the break. Colls won the toss and elected to play towards the Changing rooms end, meaning Lloyd Rigby in goal for Brig had the glaring Sun squarely in his eyes, certainly for a good half hour before it dipped below the stand.

The match had started as a scrappy affair with neither side creating anything of note in the early stages. James Dean having the best Brig opportunity but heading over. However, with Bamber Bridge looking reasonably comfortable, the game changed on 25 minutes when the hosts where awarded a penalty for a foul on Ben Hardcastle. The spot kick sent Rigby the wrong way and gave the home side the lead. Brig never looked likely to get back into the game from this point as the wheels well and truly came off. Just moments after the spot kick Colls almost doubled the lead, this time the shot rebound to safety having struck the inside of the post.

However, on 35 minutes the home side did double their lead. Tom Bentham allowed time and space in the box to pick his spot with a curling effort. Brig did have a chance to half the score when neat footwork set James Dean free in the box, but from 8 yards his scuffed shot struck the outside of the post. The match was effectively over just before half time when Colls claimed their third, this time a close range effort after cutting the Brig reargaurd apart again.

Two second half changes for Bamber bridge saw Gary Pett and Danny Forbes introduced for Joe Booth and Matt Dudley, however, before the changes had any kind of impact, The home side made it four. Hardcastle volleying home following a cross from the right wing. Danny Forbes then hit a rising shot that cleared the bar as Brig tried to push forward, the home side seemingly content with the four they already had. Lloyd Rigby had to be alert though as a quick break away saw the Brig stopper at full stretch turning away a fierce shot.

Brig did pull a goal back through Gary Pett, who’s second half substitute appearance was possibly the only glimmer of light in an otherwise lamentable performance from the visitors. Pett’s goal coming from a turn and low shot from the edge of the box on 78 minutes. It was Pett again on 83 minutes that brought the save of the match out of the Atherton keeper. A hard low drive from 10 yards that was superbly directed around the post for a corner. That was as much as Brig had offered in an attacking sense all afternoon and as the referee blew the final whistle the Brig supporters in a crowd of 374 drifted away freezing cold and extremely disappointed with what was another hugely disappointing away performance.

Full Time: Atherton Collieries – 4 Bamber Bridge – 1

Bamber Bridge: Rigby, Sumner, Thompson, Lawlor, Charnock, Wisdom, Waddecar, Booth, Dean, Dudley, Marlow

Subs: Doughty, Forbes, Spooner, Churchman Pett.

Attendance: 374