Bamber Bridge progressed to the next round of the Lancashire FA Challenge trophy on Tuesday evening with a 1-0 victory at the Giant Axe, home of Lancashire rivals Lancaster City. Brig had made 5 changes from the team that had demolished Matlock Town on Saturday afternoon. Paul Dawson returned from suspension to face his former team, and Rowan Roache, Noah Alabi Vaughn Green and Rhys Turner were all in the starting 11. Harry Scarborough was cup tied, having turned out for Chorley in an earlier round. Once again the depleted squad left brig with just two substitutes.


Bamber Bridge were the first of the two sides to show their attacking intent on a cold night and on a bobbly pitch. A free kick 30 yards out caused confusion in the City penalty area before it was cleared. Brig were attacking well down the left and through the middle, Aaron Skinner putting over a couple of dangerous crosses from the left and Noah Alabi showing some good touches and a willingness to run at the City defence.

Brig took the lead on 18 minutes when another former Lancaster City player, Rhys Turner reacted superbly to a low cross from the right, meeting it with a controlled volley and lifting it over the home keeper into the far corner of the net. Minutes later and it could have been two, another cross from the left was met with a diving Macauley Wilson header at the back post, the ball flashing inches wide.

With Brig now well on top, Rhys Turner almost added another as he received the ball with his back to goal on the edge of the area, he swivelled and struck a fierce shot that that was deflected just over the cross bar for a corner. Paul Dawson then set Vaughn green free down the right, The Brig midfielder raced towards goal but was stopped by a superb tackle on the edge of the penalty area. Noah Alabi then found himself one on one with home keeper who spread himself well to save what looked a certain goal.

By now Brig could have been out of sight, but had the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot. Vaughn Green having been brought down as he shaped to shoot. Paul Dawson stepped up, but his spot kick to the keepers left was at the right height for the diving keeper who pushed it to safety. Lancaster had their only chance of the half just before half time when a downward header from a corner was saved by Felix Goddard in the Brig goal. Brig went in for their half slice of orange 1 goal to the good but deserving of more.

The second half, compared to the first was pretty much a non-event, Lancaster unable to impose themselves, with the Brig defence in complete control, and the visitors seemingly content with their lead. A good Vaughn Green run down the right, cutting in and firing in a low shot that unfortunately struck Noah Alabi and was hooked clear. Two changes saw Fin Sinclair-Smith and Wil Riding replacing Rhys Turner and Vaughn Green respectively.


Brig saw out the remaining minutes and 4 added minutes quite comfortably to progress in the next round and record another confidence boosting victory. Next up for Brig is the trip to the North East on Saturday when Markse United will host the Briggers. An early start for this one with kick off being at 1pm.

Another Tuesday night and another 300 mile round trip to the North East, was a bridge too far for a depleted Brig squad up against the Full time League favourites. Bamber Bridge gave it 100% effort from the 1^st minute to the last but were ultimately overwhelmed by a strong South Shields side who put on what was described by their supporters as their best performance of the season to defeat the Briggers 5-0

The 3^rd Long Distance trip on a Tuesday in the last month, including Gainsborough, in Lincolnshire and Whitby in North Yorkshire. This brought to end a ridiculous sequence of fixture scheduling that has seen Bamber Bridge play six of their last seven fixtures away from home, travelling a combined distance of over 1000 miles!! The 3pm departure meant some players not being able to travel due to work commitments, this coupled with injuries and suspensions left Brig with just 13 available players, so just two substitutes available to Millie.

OK, grumbles over, and on to the match. Brig started brightly under floodlights that put many League grounds to shame in a rapidly improving stadium that would already grace The football League. An early fine move as Danny Forbes ran through the middle, switched the ball to the left were it was played into the path of Fin Sinclair-Smith, Fins curling effort flashed just wide of the far post. Donovan Lescott then made a superb run with the ball, but a last ditch tackle on the edge of the penalty area prevented him from getting a shot away. Fin was then stopped by a superb tackle as raced towards goal.

Shields, however were already beginning to control possession and they opened the scoring in the 14^th minute, A right wing cross was powerfully headed home to give the home side a lead that in truth they were never going to relinquish. A Brig free kick on the edge of the box was taken by Rowan Roache, but it struck the wall and was cleared. Bamber Bridge were being forced to defend very deep as The Mariners really turned the screw late in the first half.

Any chance of a Brig comeback were extinguished in just two minutes as Shields doubled and then trebled their lead in the 38th and 40th minutes. Joao Gomes finished a good passing move for the hosts to make it 2-0 with his 2^nd goal of the night before Darius Osei powered home a header to give the North Easterners an unassailable three goal half time advantage.

Brig came out for the 2^nd half and tried with all they had to get into the game, a good move saw Rowan Roache win a corner which was taken short and reached Isaac Sinclair who struck a rising shot just over the bar. Fin then struck a fierce low 20 yard shot but he home keeper was right behind it to make a fine save.

On the hour Brig made the only two changes available to them with both Noah Alabi and Vaughn Green replacing Danny Forbes and Rowan Roache who both put in great shifts. Vaughn Green got himself right into the action with a run and shot from the right of goal that was deflected behind for a corner. But with Brig pushing to get back in the game Shields showed their clinical edge as they made it four from a right sided corner. The ball headed home from close range in the centre of the goal.

Brig continued to show a fantastic fighting spirit and a superb chipped pass from Isaac Sinclair sent Noah Alabi racing into the box, the Linesman's waving yellow flag put an an end to any hopes of a Brig consolation. Another nice passing move this time down the left saw the home keeper climb high to grab a deep cross at the back post whilst under pressure from the Brig forwards.

There could be no denying the fighting spirit of the Lancashire visitors as the worked their socks off looking for that elusive consolation goal. But once again it was the cutting edge of The Mariners that made it 5-0, a deep cross from the right was headed back across goal and hooked home from close range in the 85^th minute.


The referee called time on a really tough night for Bamber Bridge, but the visiting supporters, gave the lads a great ovation. Despite a heavy defeat and being well beaten on the night , there was absolutely no disgrace and the the 100% effort from start to finish was well received, not least by the South Shields supporters who once again showed their class, with their appreciation of our players and our travelling supporters.

For Bamber Bridge, after this horrendous run of away games we now have the luxury of a home game this weekend when Matlock Town will be the visitors to Irongate. Another tough match awaits before the North East monthly visits continue with a trip up to Marske Utd on December 3^rd.

What a strange match, it seems churlish to suggest that Bamber Bridge were the better team following a 3-0 defeat, but on the balance of play, the result most definitely flattered Ashton United. Having said that, if you fail to take your chances and the opposition take theirs, then you pretty much end up with what you deserve. For all the neat approach play from Brig, there was simply no end product. By contrast The Robins were clinical in front of goal and scored with pretty much every opportunity they created.

On a wet and soft but playable pitch, Brig started, as they often do, on the front foot and probably should have taken the lead in the 3^rd minute. A deep free kick from the right was head back across goal at the back post and landed at the feet of Harry Scarborough 6 yards out, before he could sort his feet out, the challenge came in and the chance was gone, the ball rolling wide of the post for a goal kick. Minutes later and another sweeping move down the right saw a Fin Cross flicked on by Rhys Turner but again the home defenders were first to react and clear the danger.
Harry Scarborough then tried a curling effort from the edge of the box, the shot lacked venom and the home keeper made a comfortable, if overly spectacular diving save. Brig were then dealt a blow in the 11^th minute, Matt Thomson injured in an accidental challenge and had to be replaced. Danny Forbes coming on to replace him.

Bamber Bridge were still well on top as the game approached the half hour point, Fin again causing problems for the hosts as he controlled a bouncing ball superbly before cutting into the penalty box from the left, he cut the ball square but again the home defence were there first and the ball was thumped clear. With The Robins still to threaten the Brig goal, another sweeping move this time down the left was cleared for a corner at the near post, the keeper then punching bravely through a crowd of players to clear the corner.

It looked just a matter of time before The Lancashire visitors would open the scoring, Harry Scarborough drilling in another low shot which the keeper at full stretch, diving to his left punched clear. However as we’ve already alluded to, Football will kick you in the proverbials if you don’t the chances that come your way and that happened in the 41^st minute. Young PNE loanee Dana Amaral making his Ashton United, picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and smashed home an unstoppable shot, giving Felix Goddard in the Brig goal no chance. This was effectively the first attempt on goal of any note from the home side.

Brig were then forced into a 2^nd change just before half time as Rhys Turner limped off, to be replaced by Donovan Lescott. Brig ended the half with another opportunity, Danny Forbes holding up the ball in the penalty area before laying it back to Harry Scarborough, who again struck it well only to see a deflection take it straight into the arms of the grateful keeper.

The 2^nd half began with a 3^rd Brig change due to another injury, Max Fisher replaced by Sky Sinclair. Straight from the kick off Brig had another chance, this time Aaron Skinner turning well in the area but his powerful shot cleared the crossbar.

When it’s not going your way, it really isn’t and on their first attacking sortie of the 2^nd half The Robins doubled their lead. Brig failed to deal with a ball into the box and it was smashed in to the back of the net from close range. Two chances and two goals for the hosts.

Brig continued to push forward and another Fin run down the left, he cut across the defender in to the box and cut the ball back to Isaac who struck it well, the keeper again making a good save as he parried the ball into the air, Donovan Lescott looked odds on to nod the rebound home but his header from 4 yards went wide of the post. A diving header from Harry Scarborough from a left wing cross from Aaron Skinner then flashed across goal and inches wide of the far post. At this point it certainly felt like it was “just one of those days”.

To rub salt into the wounds, From the resulting goal kick Ashton United made it 3-0 with Captain Michael Brewster grabbing his second goal of the game and ending any hope Brig had of getting something from the match.

The remainder of the half was played out with both sides fully aware of the final outcome, with no further goalmouth action. The full time whistle came with the home side recording a 3-0 Victory in a match, that on chances created, the visitors could and should have taken something from.

It doesn’t get any easier as Brig must now make the what seems a Monthly Tuesday night trip to the North East, this time to face title favourites South Shields. This will end a run of 6 away games out of 7 before Bamber Bridge can enjoy the comforts of home with the visit of Matlock Town next weekend.

Bamber Bridge returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon with a superb 3-0 Victory at The Skuna Stadium, home of Atherton Collieries. If Brig had a bogey ground, this was it, and with 3 players suspended down the spine of the team in Maaca, Pondy and Daws, this made for an even sweeter three points as Brig recorded a victory at Atherton for the first time in, well….. A very long time !


A minutes silence prior to kick off was immaculately observed by both sets of supporters. Bamber Bridge, in all yellow, played down the slope in the first half. An early Brig raid down the right wing saw a superb Fin Sinclair-Smith cross whipped into the box, the home keeper hesitated but the Colls defence were able to clear the ball as Rhys Turner looked to get on the end of it.

Minutes later and it was Fin again, following a swift passing move down the left, the Brig striker hit a fierce shot from the edge of the box, the ball unfortunately striking team mate Rhys Turner and was hooked clear. On 17 minutes The Lancashire Visitors took the lead. Brilliant work fro Rhys Turner as he controlled and held the ball before laying it off to Fin on the left edge of the penalty area. A superb curling effort from the Brig striker sailed over the keeper and into the far corner of the net.


Atherton Colls almost responded immediately with a chance just on the edge of the box after the ball had been passed square, fortunately for The Briggers the effort went wide of the post.

Brig were digging in on a difficult pitch and Keeper Felix Goddard showed good composure as he came through a pack of players to punch clear a dangerous left wing cross. The home side started to build up the pressure on Brig as the half approached the final stages, but Brig were defending resolutely and looking to counter attack at every opportunity. A fine move down the right, found Fin, who whipped over an inviting low cross that flashed across the 6 yard box with Rhys Turner just inches away from connecting at the back post.


The second half began in similar fashion with Brig digging deep to keep the hosts at bay. An early shout from the home players and fans for a penalty was waved away, with referee awarding Bamber Bridge the free kick instead. But on 60 minutes The Colls were awarded a penalty as the referee spotted a handball in the area. Captain Danny Lafferty stepped up but his spot kick was superbly saved by “Felix The Cat” as he dived left to push the ball away. As turning points go, this was a big one, just one minute later Brig doubled their lead. Following a diagonal ball into the box, Rhys Turner took possession of the ball off the head of a Colls defender, strode into the area and calmly slotted it past the home keeper. From what looked like it may be 1-1 was just 60 seconds later a 2-0 lead for The Briggers. Football eh ??


The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the hosts as Brig began to control the tempo of the game. And on 70 minutes Isaac Sinclair making his comeback from injury rounded off a terrific display with a 3^rd Brig goal, another fine passing move down the left, saw the ball played square to Isaac who took control on the edge of the area before side stepping the defender and slamming home a great strike into the back of the net.

With the game effectively won, Brig Manager Jamie Milligan made his first change as first Isaac was replaced by Rowan Roache, himself just returning from injury. Minutes later, Donovan Lescott then came on for Rhys Turner, before Sky Sinclair, another returnee from injury came on for Fin.


Brig played out the remaining minutes with relative ease to record a superb victory and get Bamber Bridge back on the winning trail after a difficult spell of games. A real gritty performance from Brig with some outstanding performances right through the team. Stand in Captain, Thommo looked composed at the back, Danny Forbes put in a solid display and Felix in goal with another penalty save along with. every other player on the pitch in a yellow shirt today. They all put in a great shift. The players walked off to great applause from the travelling Brig fans.


Next up is a Lancashire Cup Derby match away at Lancaster City on Tuesday evening, before two more difficult away trips to Ashton United and South Shields. Brig will have played seven out of eight games away from home after this spell of fixture and 4 away games on the bounce.

Bamber Bridge fell to their 3^rd successive defeat with a 1-3 home reverse against Radcliffe Boro at The Sir Tom Finney Stadium, The score line was was a tough one to take for Brig following a very harsh sending off for Paul Dawson midway through the second half with the score level at 1-1. Two injury time goals then took the points back to Greater Manchester.

Heavy rain prior to, and during the first half made for difficult playing conditions and both sides took a while to settle with possession given away cheaply. The first 20 minutes saw no goalmouth action at either end until Conor Stanley burst free down the centre of the pitch and was fouled just outside the penalty area. Jamie Thomas took the free kick and fired it around the wall but just wide of the keepers right hand post.


Radcliffe responded and a fine move ended with a shot from the left of the area clearing the bar. Chances were at a premium, as both defences were on top, A Brig free kick, wide on the right was whipped over by Jamie Thomas and met by a Nathan Pond header, but the ball looped up into the air and was gathered comfortably by the keeper. Brig thought they had broken the deadlock on 35 minutes, Fin Sinclair-Smith connected with another right wing cross and volleyed home from 6 yards, the strikers delight was cut short as he saw the Linesman's flag signalling offside, a very close call indeed.

Jamie Thomas then tried his luck with a 25 yard strike that had the keeper diving full stretch to his right, the ball flashing just inches past the post. It was the visitors who took the lead however on 38 minutes, a deep misplaced cross from the right somehow managed to deceive Felix Goddard in the Brig goal and dropped into the back of then net. Brig responded almost immediately as Jamie Thomas tried his luck again from 25 yards, this time finding the bottom corner with a superb daisy cutter of a strike.

The second half began in end to end fashion, Rhys Turner burst free down the right and instead of shooting as he raced into the area, he passed the ball square across the area, for the advancing Paul Dawson, a defender got there first and cleared for a corner. The visitors then began to enjoy a good spell of possession as they pinned Brig back. Bamber Bridge Manager Jamie Milligan made his first change of the game at this stage replacing Jamie Thomas with Danny Forbes, The flow of the game continued with Radcliffe having the bulk of possession but not really creating any clear openings.

Brig were playing on the break and a swift move downfield saw Rhys Turner pick out Conor Stanley on the right of the area, The Bolton Loanee, went for the near post, his shot hitting the side netting and the chance was gone. Moments later and the first contentious moment of the game, Fin won possession and surged in to the penalty area, he looked to have been clearly tripped from behind as he shaped to shoot, the referee however, saw it differently and waved play on much to the anguish of the Brig striker. Just moments later and Fin had another opportunity this time on the left side of the area following a ball over the top of the Radcliffe defence, Fin looked odds on to score but the home keeper made a fine save with his legs, the follow up shot going straight in to the arms of the grateful keeper.

The game turned in the 73^rd minute when Paul Dawson was shown a straight card for what looked an innocuous challenge on the edge of the Radcliffe area. Brig immediately made two more changes with Blackpool loanee Donovan Lescott coming on for his Brig debut replacing Fin Sinclair-Smith and Harry Scarborough coming on for Rhys Turner.

The one man advantage led to the visitors again dominating possession as Brig looked content to take the point currently in their possession. Brig had kept the visitors at arms length as The referee signalled 5 additional minutes and Brig desperately tried to hang on. Unfortunately in the 91^st minute the pressure told and Radcliffe took the lead again, A cross from the right was met with a towering header in the centre of the goal giving Felix no chance, and just one minute later the visitors made sure of the points with a third. A smart pass in to the box found the a Boro striker who calmly slotted the ball home.

So, full time and a third consecutive defeat for Bamber Bridge, but taken in the context of today's match, it was a harsh scoreline. Not taking anything away from Radcliffe who are a good side and in fairness were having the bulk of the 2^nd half play before the unfortunate sending off. The goals against column must be causing something of a concern to the Brig management team with 13 goals going into the Brig net in the last 3 games. And It doesn’t get any easier for Brig either with the next 3 matches being away from home,as well as a Lancashire Cup tie away at Lancaster City. At the end of this current run of matches Brig will have played 7 out of 8 games away from home. A tough ask by any stretch of the imagination.

Next up is the short trip to Atherton Colliers next Saturday.

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Bamber Bridge went down to their second heavy defeat in 4 days with a 3-0 loss at the Towbar Express Stadium, home of Whitby Town on Tuesday evening. Having arrived at the ground late due to traffic congestion, Brig then found themselves behind in the match after just 18 seconds. Two further first half goals for Whitby pretty much ended the contest by half time.

The referee agreed to delay kick off slightly due to the team coach only arriving at the ground around half an hour before kick off. Whether this had any bearing on the start of the match is open to debate, but just 18 seconds after kicking off The Seasiders opened the scoring, not sure what happened but a defensive mix up seemed to prevent Keeper Felix Goddard gathering the ball, in the delay the Whitby forward simply stroked the ball into an empty net. A disastrous start, but 89 and three quarter minutes to put it right.


Brig responded quite well and for the next 15 minutes pushed the hosts back, A Paul Dawson chip towards the back post just cleared the angle of post and crossbar, then moments later Dawson again with a thunderbolt strike from 20 yards, the keeper needing two fists to punch the ball up into the air and over the bar for a corner. Nathan Pond, then controlled a high ball before swivelling round, but his shot bobbled wide of the keepers right hand post.

A Danny Forbes downward header from a left sided free kick brought another save from the home keeper as Brig looked for the equaliser. However, on 22 minutes the home side once again punished some slack play at the back by Brig. Possession was lost on the Brig right hand side and a quick pass into the middle found the Whitby Town striker with time to pick his spot and bury the ball beyond the diving Felix Goddard.

At the other end, a surging right wing run by Sheldon Green saw him cut across the full back into the penalty area, he pulled the ball back to Fin Sinclair-Smith who took a touch before fizzing in a shot that flashed inches wide of the keepers left hand post and into the side netting.


On 40 minutes Bamber Bridge were fortunate not to go three behind, giving possession away again, a snap shot looked to cannon back off the post, the rebound looked certain to be stroked home but it was knocked wide. A let off for Brig but it didn’t last long. A corner from the right in th last minute of the half looked to have been mishit as it travelled low towards the near post, The home forward somehow managing to control the ball, turn and smash it home from a tight angle to give The Seasiders an unassailable three goal half time lead.

The second half resumed with no changes for the visitors, An early free kick found the head of Sheldon Green, but his downward header was comfortably gathered by the home keeper. Bamber bridge then made two changes on 55 minutes with Jamie Thomas and Chris Churchman replacing Danny Forbes and McCauley Wilson.

Jamie Thomas was immediately involved, striking a 25 yard free-kick from outside the right corner of the penalty area into the side netting. Minutes later and a fine interchange of passes on the set Fin away, has he raced into the penalty box he was tripped from behind and the referee pointed straight to the spot. Paul Dawson stepped up, sent the keeper the wrong way but the ball struck the outside of the upright and trickled out for a goal kick. 6 inches away from being the perfect spot kick.

Brig were once again doing most of the attacking with the hosts looking quite content with their three goal advantage. Sheldon Green fired an effort wide before Fin struck a curling effort that was deflected behind for a corner. Rhys Turner came on as the last Brig change, replacing Sheldon Green. Paul Dawson then got on the end of a fine passing move, drilling in a low 18 yard shot, Home keeper Shane Bland diving left to make a fine save. With the closing minutes approaching, Jamie Thomas struck a volley wide as Brig pushed on looking for a consolation goal.


Whitby Town almost made it 4 on 85 minutes when a long goal kick downfield found the Home forward running on to the ball, his fierce shot being well palmed away by Felix in the Brig goal. Paul Dawson tested the home keeper again with a long range shot before the last action of the game saw Nathan Pond pick up a yellow card for what can only be described as a frustrated challenge on the touchline.

So, a 3-0 defeat for Bamber Bridge and a 10 goal negative swing in the goal difference from the the last two matches. However, a bad week is over and Bamber Bridge have the opportunity to put things right this weekend when Radcliffe make the short journey to Irongate. The Fixtures computer hasn’t been kind to Brig. Three successive away League games prior to this weekends home match will be followed by three more consecutive away League games along with an away tie in The Lancashire Cup at Lancaster City. Seven out of eight games away from home is a tough ask for any team.