Brig suffered their 5^th straight loss on Saturday as we travelled North East once again, this time to face in form Hebburn Town. Last season’s visit to The Hebburn Sports Ground ended in a 5-1 defeat but this is a fixture the travelling Briggers were looking forward to, as Hebburn Town probably have the best spectator facilities in the League, and the locals are always incredibly friendly and welcoming.


A journey of over 3 hours over and through the mist and murk of the North York Moors saw us arrive in good time to enjoy the pre match hospitality of The Hornets. The welcoming Clubhouse bar is a treat. You also have the opportunity to nip upstairs to “The Sportsy” another superb bar with equally pleasant surroundings and a superb open terrace/decking area, looking out over the pitch.


Brig started the game very brightly, but as we have seen oh so often, we fail to take the opportunities created, while our opponents more often than not lately, seem to score with their first meaningful attack. And tht's just what happend. A goal that, from our distant view looked preventable. It happened at Keys Park, Hednesford last Tuesday evening and it happened again here. In fairness, the home keeper made 3 top saves during the match, but we also failed to hit the target on a number of occasions with the goal in clear sight. Fine margins, but they are costing us at present.


The killer 2nd goal arrived right on half time, a cracking goal to be fair, as the Home striker cut inside from the left before unleashing a brilliant curling shot in to the far corne. Again, it could be argued he was allowed to drift inside before striking the shot, but that may be taking the credit away from a terrific goal.


The second half saw Brig huff and puff as they tried to get back into the game, certainly no lack of effort but some very sloppy and loose passing saw the half slip away and heads begin to drop, with the home side seemingly comfortable and content with their two goal advantage. On the occasions Brig did break through, they found the Hornets keeper in top form as he made two terrific saves from Emerich Poilly and then Joel Bailey.


Several changes were made during the second half but it just isn’t happening for Brig in this current spell. It will turn, we know it will. But it needs to come sooner rather than later as we creep ever closer to the bottom three. The result leaving us now just one place and two points above the relegation zone. If there are positives to be taken from the game it would be the comebacks of both Harry Benns and Olly Molloy, both out for more than 12 months and both putting in a good shift and playing well.


It’s also fair to say we have played 2 more away League matches than we have at home and with the League table being as tight as it is, we need to capitalise on the coming home fixtures. The road to recovery will hopefully come at Irongate this week, with firstly North West Counties Club, Thornton Cleveleys in The Lancashire Challenge Trophy on Tuesday, followed by Prescott Cables next weekend.