Generally, any away trip avoiding defeat is a satisfactory outcome. So in that sense today’s 6 hour return trip to Gainsborough in Deepest dampest Lincolnshire didn’t disappoint. Other than the fact that we didn’t actually Play!

Having had a “precautionary” pitch inspection at 10:30am, our hosts confirmed the game was on. Having made our way across Northern England with varying degrees of traffic congestion along the way, we arrived on the outskirts of Gainsborough at 2pm to be greeted with the news that the referee wasn’t happy with the pitch and had deemed it not fit for play. That he failed to notify Gainsborough Trinity of his decision caused some confusion, particularly for Trinity.


We had turned around and were heading back West, yet according to social media platforms Gainsborough Trinity were still indicating that the game was on. It seems the referee had notified the Brig officials before the hosts. Fair enough I guess. The Lincolnshire club it seems were not at all happy with the Ref’s decision and offered their apologies to the travelling Brig Players, Coaching staff and supporters.

Ours wasn’t the only late call off to be announced today. Portsmouth fans on a 6 hour journey to Blackburn found their game called off well after lunchtime. Different levels of football, but the same complete disregard for the travelling supporters, whose expense is never covered.


From our point of view, it was taken in good spirits by everyone on the coach, most of whom were surprised the game was ever given as on in the first place, with “Storm Bert” battering the Country over this weekend. That and the fact, that with driver legally needing to take a break, he took us to the White Hart on the outskirts of Doncaster to soften the blow. A very well received diversion.


The White Hart at Bawtry near Doncaster is a very decent watering hole, and one which we have visited before on a previous more successful visit to Gainsborough. A good boost to the pub as well, with 50 or so thirsty travellers enjoying a couple of scoops.

The Players used the opportunity to insist that the 2 recent loan signings, and Physio stand up and sing us all a song. Which they duly did with differing degrees of talent !!

So was it a wasted day, well probably not, it was a day out with friends, a pint or two in a good pub and we returned undefeated on the day. Next up, this coming Tuesday it’s another long journey as Brig head North East to face Blyth Spartans. Non League Football. Just love it !!

Bamber Bridge stormed into the next round of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy with a stirring second half fight back at the ever improving Victory Park, home of National League North leaders Chorley FC on Tuesday evening. Finding themselves Undeservedly two goals behind early in the second Brig roared back to claim their place in the later stages of the Famous Old Tournament.


This was the second season in succession that Brig had beaten The Magpies at Victory park. Last year, it took a penalty shoot-out following a 1-1 draw for Brig to progress and eventually make their way to The Final. This time the job was completed in 90 minutes thanks to to goals from Simon Grand and two from Macaulay Wilson.

The match had a somewhat slow start with both sides taking time to become accustomed to what was a bitterly cold Lancashire evening. Brig were forced into an early change as Jarma Mohamed was forced off with an injury in the 10^th minute. Danny Edwards coming on to replace him. The visitors looked the livelier side in the early exchanges, attacking with pace and zipping the ball around the pitch.


Chris Churchman was first to test the reflexes of the Magpies keeper on 15 minutes with a 25 yard drive that stung the keepers fingers but he held on comfortably. Chorley responded and Adam Dodd was alert to make a fine block from a low goalward bound effort. The home side then squandered the bet chance of the game on the half hour as a cross from the right was nodded back across goal but the resultant close range header flew high over the bar.

Brig were looking sharp, but the home defence was keeping the team in all Yellow at arms length. A neat passing move between Danny Edwards and Doddy looked to open up the Chorley defence but the door was slammed shut before Adam Dodd could get a shot away. The Bamber Bridge backline were similarly on top as a Chorley break down the left was thwarted by a superb last ditch block by Macca. But with half time just moments away The Magpies took the lead. The Chorley No.10 picking up a loose ball just outside the area before cutting inside and planting a fine shot beyond Brig keeper James Pradic.

A second half change from the visitors saw with Michael Potts and new loan signing from Blackpool FC, Taylor Bowen replacing Churchy and Mark Cullen. However within just 6 minutes of the restart it was the home side that doubled their advantage. Ex North End forward and previous Brig loanee, Jacob Holland-Wilkinson fired home from close range following a cross from the right.

Bamber Bridge, now with a mountain to climb were not going to surrender meekly and surged back into the game. On 55 minutes, Jack Baxter was on the end of a fine passing move but his shot from the edge of the area flashed just wide, before, on the hour Brig pulled one back. Danny Edwards with a pin point cross from the left found the head of Simon Grand just outside the 6 yard box. Grandy powered a downward header into the keepers bottom left corner to give The Briggers renewed hope.


A further change for Brig just beyond the hour came when prolific goalscorer for the Reserves Lewis Pilgrim, who has netted 23 times already this season, came on to make his first team debut, replacing Morecambe FC loanee Nathan Spencer who had also made his first start for Bamber Bridge.

Just two minutes after the change and Brig were level. Taylor Bowen was tripped just outside the penalty area. With the home keeper looking to organise his defensive wall, Grandy did his best to block his view before Macca stepped up and curled a superb free kick over the wall, the keeper diving full length to his right managed to get his fingertips on the ball but unable to keep it from screaming into the back of the net.


Completely re-invigorated it was Bamber Bridge who were now looking the more likely to win the tie, and the winning goal came just 5 minutes after the equaliser. Lewis Pilgrim was upended as he weaved his way into the box, the referee instantly pointing to the spot. Following a delay for treatment to a Chorley defender, Macca stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to put Brig in front for the first time on the night.

Three goals in little more than 10 minutes had completely turned the tie on its head. Jeff Adubofour replaced Danny Edwards as Brig looked to hold on and cement their place in the later rounds of the competition. Bamber Bridge comfortably saw out the remaining minutes of the tie, keeping the Chorley forward line subdued with no further chances created by the Magpies.


Full Time and it’s Brig who march on, in a competition they will surely aim to win and hopefully erase the painful memory of the disappointing Cup Final in April year when they were beaten by Colne at The Lancashire Football Association’s Thurston Road Ground in Leyland.

So how do you pick the bones out of that? A defeat for Brig at a venue I’ve still never seen us win at, and that was my 6^th visit. A game we should have won, being ahead at the break after a terrific first 45 minutes with the home keeper having been sent off after half an hour of the match. The second half was as if the first half had never happened. Brig barely threatened the ten men of Matlock, while allowing the hosts to turn the tide with goals from two corner kicks. Once they took the lead after twice being behind, there was no way back for Bamber Bridge.


A late arrival at Irongate of the coach to Matlock was not the best start of the day, but fair play to the driver he made up a good 20 minutes of the 30 minute delay and we arrived more than an hour before kick off. A Superbly observed minutes silence and a sublime trumpet solo of the last post preceded today’s game ahead of Remembrance Sunday tomorrow. “We will Remember them”

Bamber Bridge started well and took the lead as early as the 9^th minute. A cross from the left was chested down by Simon Grand into the path of Michael Potts, who struck it hard and low, the keeper saved well but Mark Cullen pounced on to the rebound, swivelled and rifled the ball into the roof of the net.


The lead however, was to last less than a minute. Straight from the kick off The Gladiators launched the ball forward, a cross to the far post was headed back across goal and nodded home from close range. Undeterred, Brig poured forward and Mark Cullen came close to what would have been a goal of the season contender. Danny Edwards whipped over a superb cross form the left, Cullen met it on the volley from the edge of the area and with the ball arrowing towards the top corner, the home keeper flung himself to his left and made a top drawer save, pushing the ball away at full stretch.

Brig were on top with Danny Edwards instrumental in creating the opportunities for the Brig front two. Another superb through ball from Edwards set Cullen free, but superb goalkeeping from the home keeper, who raced off his line and dived at the feet of the Brig striker, stopped what looked a certain second goal for the Lancashire visitors. Seconds later and a Pottsy header was deflected wide for a corner.


The hosts while still dangerous on the break were looking vulnerable at the back and Bamber Bridge looked the more likely to grab the second goal. A cross from Adam Dodd out on the left was met on the half volley by Simon Grand but sailed over the bar. However, the defining moment (or what should have been the defining moment) arrived on the half hour. A Simon Grand forward ball, split the Matlock defence, Mark Cullen ran on to the ball but was clattered just outside the box by the advancing keeper, the ball rolled free and Pottsy struck it into the back of the net. The referee had already blown for the foul and showed a red card to the keeper and awarded Brig a free kick in a central position on the edge of the box.

A five minute delay ensued as Matlock Town re-organised. Ex Brigger Jake Thompson was substituted as the reserve keeper came off the bench to replace him. (How many NPL clubs have a substitute goalie these days?) The new keepers first action was to somewhat clumsily scoop away Chris Churchman free kick.


With the opening 45 minutes drifting towards half time Brig took a deserved lead. A ball in from the left was headed back by Grandy into the path of Chris Churchman who saw his low drive deflected passed the stricken home keeper to put Brig in front at the break.

The half time mood amongst the Brig faithful, who had turned up in good numbers today, was one of optimism that we were at last going to end the Matlock Town away hoodoo and take the 3 points back to Irongate. Perhaps we should know better! Other than a bright opening start to the second period, Brig simply succumbed to the ariel bombardment from the home side and left empty handed.


An early second half Fin Wallbank shot, that was comfortably gathered by the home keeper was probably as good as it got, as The Gladiators went in search of the equaliser. A corner from the left on 57 minutes to the far post was headed home unopposed to bring the scores level at 2-2. Brig were stunned and frankly, didn’t recover as the ten men hosts went in search of a third.

Simon Grand and Danny Edwards both had shots on goal that were dealt with by the home keeper with some comfort, Before on 65 minutes, just moments after Brig had made their first change, Lewis Hey replacing the Impressive Danny Edwards, Matlock scored their decisive 3^rd goal from which Brig were unable to recover. Once again a corner kick, this time from the right was again met by an unchallenged header into the back of The Brig net.

The home side at this point in the game looked determined to hold on to their lead and comfortably held Brig at arms length with the visitors becoming frustrated and wasteful. The game was slipping away and Bamber Bridge, far from throwing the kitchen sink at Matlock with their one man advantage failed to create any clear cut opportunities. A scramble in the box following a corner from the left was as close as we came to finding the equaliser. A Brockbank shot in the last minute, was well held by the keeper as 4 minutes added time were signalled.

The Derbyshire side saw out those minutes with no further worries to claim all 3 points, while Brig were left to ponder how they had once again come away with nothing to show from a performance, particularly in the first half that should have seen us leaving with no less than at least a point. The loss of loanee Lucas Weaver, recalled to Altrincham in mid week is clearly a huge loss, along with the season threatening injury to Olly Molloy.


Next weekend sees the FA Trophy 2^nd Round home tie against Farsley Celtic. For me, the biggest game of the season to date. This team and squad have already shown they can compete with anyone in our League. They now have to overcome the loss of our main strike force and take the chances when they come and put the Yorkshire side to the sword. In that respect Mark Cullen had, for me at least, one of his best games in a Brig shirt today. Simon Grand has also been superb since moving up to take the No.9 shirt

So, a very disappointing result, but we have to forget that now and move on to the next challenge. It’s a big one, but a winnable one and a game that could make such a big difference to the rest of the season.