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Saturday 30h October 2021
The Buildbase FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round
Dunston UTS - 2 Bamber Bridge - 2 Dunston win 3-2 on penalties
Bamber Bridge’s
disappointing cup form continued as they exited the
Buildbase FA Trophy at the first attempt at The UTS Stadium in
Gateshead against NPL Division One East, Dunston UTS FC.
Brig fought back from 2 goals down at the break with two late goals to take the tie to a penalty shoot out with the home side coming out on top 3-2
Ready for another trip to The North East
Bamber Bridge didn’t make the best start to the game and found themselves behind in just the 4th minute. A shot from the edge of the box that from our vantage view at the far end looked to be covered by Brig keeper Mateusz Hewelt, the ball somehow seemed to squirm under the keeper to give the hosts a massive early lift. Video footage may well show the goal to have been a better effort than it looked from the opposite end of the pitch, but a disappointing start all the same.
Bamber Bridge looked to be struggling to get any kind of momentum going on a very bobbly pitch with long grass. The first attack worthy of mention from The Lancashire side arrived in the 15th the minute, the ball was worked well down the right wing and pulled back to the edge of the penalty area were Craig Carney met it with a fierce low drive that was heading for the bottom corner until it struck Sheldon Green, who couldn’t get out of the way. The shot knocked Sheldon off his feet and the ball was cleared.
A Bamber Bridge corner on the left was headed clear and Chris Churchman tried his luck from 25 yards. The ball ending somewhere on the car park. Brig were getting on top but still the play was sloppy with misplaced passes preventing any kind of momentum. The home side seemed content to let Brig have possession as they hadn’t been seriously troubled at the back.
With half time approaching The Gateshead side doubled their advantage. A goal that seemed to be played out in slow motion as the hosts passed the ball across the pitch before finding the unmarked striker on the right of the penalty area, he took a touch before firing past Hewelt to make it 2-0. Moments later it was half time and in truth ended a pretty dismal first half performance from The Irongate team, leaving a second half mountain to climb.
The UTS Stadium in Gateshead
Brig Manager Jamie Milligan made two half time changes, Rob Apter and New loan signing from Fleetwood Town, Akiel Raffie. These changes livened Bamber Bridge up and an early Rob Apter pass found Craig Carney on the left side of the penalty are but the low shot lacked power and the home keeper saved comfortably. Dunston then came close to making it three, as Hewelt raced from his line but was beaten to the ball, the shot whistling over the bar. The game was becoming stretched now as Brig pushed forward in search of a comeback goal. It almost arrived on the 65 minutes as a fine left wing move saw the ball played across the box where Craig Carney met it with a powerful low drive, the keeper diving to his left to make a tremendous reflex save. A third Bamber Bridge change saw Ewan Bange replace Joe Rodwell- Grant. The change heralded the start of the Brig fightback as just minutes later the deficit was halved. Rob Apter whipping in a fine cross from the right, which was met with a superb Nathan Pond header, the home keeper dived to his right but couldn’t keep the ball out of the net. Game on.
It looked to be in vain on 76 minutes when Brig Club Captain Macaulay Wilson was shown a second yellow card and sent off by the referee for an apparent foul that no one else saw. Macca confirmed later the referee had suggested he’d led with his elbow, when he clearly hadn’t. The harsh decision galvanised Brig and the the 10 men pushed forward in search of an unlikely equaliser. At the other end Hewelt made a smart diving save before a Fin Sinclair shot was saved at his near post by the Dunston stopper.
With 5 minutes remaining and Brig now on top, the equaliser arrived. A corner on the right was superbly headed home by Callum Spooner. Brig sensed victory, and a minute later a Rob Apter hooked volley dropped inches wide of the post with the keeper beaten. Apter again caused havoc in the home defence as he raced into the area but found himself closed down by the desperate home defence.
The referee blew the whistle to send the tie into a penalty shoot out. Something that just hadn’t looked likely just 15 minutes earlier. Inexplicably, the decision was made to take the spot kicks at the end with no supporters present, so, a quick dash ensued to get there before the spot kicks started.
Ewan Bange was first up for Brig, the keeper diving to keep it out
Dunston converted their first penalty 1-0
Next up for Brig was Akiel Raffie, who smashed the ball into the bottom corner 1-1
Dunston’s next spot kick was superbly saved by Mateusz Hewelt 1-1 after 2 pens each
Rob Apter was next for Brig and scored 1-2
Dunston's next spot kick was also scored 2-2
Isaac Sinclair stepped up for Brig but his spot kick was struck over the bar. 2-2
Dunston’s next penalty was scored. 3-2 after 4 pens each
Fin stepped up for Brig’s 5th penalty and his kick was saved. 3-2 and victory for Dunston
No shame in losing a penalty shoot out. It’s simply a lottery and Bamber Bridge had done particularly well in the closing minutes of the match to take the tie to a shoot out. But in truth, Brig can have no complaints about losing the tie. The players now have to pick themselves up for an equally tough fixture in the NPL at home on Tuesday evening, when Whitby Town will be the visitors to The Sir Tom Finney Stadium.
Full Time: Dunston UTS – 2 Bamber Bridge – 2
Dunston win 3-1 on penalties
Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Churchman, Wilson, Spooner, Pond, Forbes, Green, Carney, Rodwell-Grant, Sinclair, Sinclair-Smith
Subs: Bange, Apter, Dudley, Thompson, Raffie
Brig fought back from 2 goals down at the break with two late goals to take the tie to a penalty shoot out with the home side coming out on top 3-2
Ready for another trip to The North East
Bamber Bridge didn’t make the best start to the game and found themselves behind in just the 4th minute. A shot from the edge of the box that from our vantage view at the far end looked to be covered by Brig keeper Mateusz Hewelt, the ball somehow seemed to squirm under the keeper to give the hosts a massive early lift. Video footage may well show the goal to have been a better effort than it looked from the opposite end of the pitch, but a disappointing start all the same.
Bamber Bridge looked to be struggling to get any kind of momentum going on a very bobbly pitch with long grass. The first attack worthy of mention from The Lancashire side arrived in the 15th the minute, the ball was worked well down the right wing and pulled back to the edge of the penalty area were Craig Carney met it with a fierce low drive that was heading for the bottom corner until it struck Sheldon Green, who couldn’t get out of the way. The shot knocked Sheldon off his feet and the ball was cleared.
A Bamber Bridge corner on the left was headed clear and Chris Churchman tried his luck from 25 yards. The ball ending somewhere on the car park. Brig were getting on top but still the play was sloppy with misplaced passes preventing any kind of momentum. The home side seemed content to let Brig have possession as they hadn’t been seriously troubled at the back.
With half time approaching The Gateshead side doubled their advantage. A goal that seemed to be played out in slow motion as the hosts passed the ball across the pitch before finding the unmarked striker on the right of the penalty area, he took a touch before firing past Hewelt to make it 2-0. Moments later it was half time and in truth ended a pretty dismal first half performance from The Irongate team, leaving a second half mountain to climb.
The UTS Stadium in Gateshead
Brig Manager Jamie Milligan made two half time changes, Rob Apter and New loan signing from Fleetwood Town, Akiel Raffie. These changes livened Bamber Bridge up and an early Rob Apter pass found Craig Carney on the left side of the penalty are but the low shot lacked power and the home keeper saved comfortably. Dunston then came close to making it three, as Hewelt raced from his line but was beaten to the ball, the shot whistling over the bar. The game was becoming stretched now as Brig pushed forward in search of a comeback goal. It almost arrived on the 65 minutes as a fine left wing move saw the ball played across the box where Craig Carney met it with a powerful low drive, the keeper diving to his left to make a tremendous reflex save. A third Bamber Bridge change saw Ewan Bange replace Joe Rodwell- Grant. The change heralded the start of the Brig fightback as just minutes later the deficit was halved. Rob Apter whipping in a fine cross from the right, which was met with a superb Nathan Pond header, the home keeper dived to his right but couldn’t keep the ball out of the net. Game on.
It looked to be in vain on 76 minutes when Brig Club Captain Macaulay Wilson was shown a second yellow card and sent off by the referee for an apparent foul that no one else saw. Macca confirmed later the referee had suggested he’d led with his elbow, when he clearly hadn’t. The harsh decision galvanised Brig and the the 10 men pushed forward in search of an unlikely equaliser. At the other end Hewelt made a smart diving save before a Fin Sinclair shot was saved at his near post by the Dunston stopper.
With 5 minutes remaining and Brig now on top, the equaliser arrived. A corner on the right was superbly headed home by Callum Spooner. Brig sensed victory, and a minute later a Rob Apter hooked volley dropped inches wide of the post with the keeper beaten. Apter again caused havoc in the home defence as he raced into the area but found himself closed down by the desperate home defence.
The referee blew the whistle to send the tie into a penalty shoot out. Something that just hadn’t looked likely just 15 minutes earlier. Inexplicably, the decision was made to take the spot kicks at the end with no supporters present, so, a quick dash ensued to get there before the spot kicks started.
Ewan Bange was first up for Brig, the keeper diving to keep it out
Dunston converted their first penalty 1-0
Next up for Brig was Akiel Raffie, who smashed the ball into the bottom corner 1-1
Dunston’s next spot kick was superbly saved by Mateusz Hewelt 1-1 after 2 pens each
Rob Apter was next for Brig and scored 1-2
Dunston's next spot kick was also scored 2-2
Isaac Sinclair stepped up for Brig but his spot kick was struck over the bar. 2-2
Dunston’s next penalty was scored. 3-2 after 4 pens each
Fin stepped up for Brig’s 5th penalty and his kick was saved. 3-2 and victory for Dunston
No shame in losing a penalty shoot out. It’s simply a lottery and Bamber Bridge had done particularly well in the closing minutes of the match to take the tie to a shoot out. But in truth, Brig can have no complaints about losing the tie. The players now have to pick themselves up for an equally tough fixture in the NPL at home on Tuesday evening, when Whitby Town will be the visitors to The Sir Tom Finney Stadium.
Full Time: Dunston UTS – 2 Bamber Bridge – 2
Dunston win 3-1 on penalties
Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Churchman, Wilson, Spooner, Pond, Forbes, Green, Carney, Rodwell-Grant, Sinclair, Sinclair-Smith
Subs: Bange, Apter, Dudley, Thompson, Raffie
Saturday 16th October 2021
The Northern Premier League
Stalybridge Celtic - 1
v
Bamber Bridge - 2 Bamber Bridge
returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, with a
superb 2nd half display to take all 3 points at The Bower
Field, home of Stalybridge Celtic. Trailing at the break, Brig turned
it around with goals from Rob Apter and Fin Sinclair-Smith to remain
in 4th place in The NPL and open up a 4 point gap between
themselves and 6th placed Warrington.
A brilliant day started at a brilliant pub. The Buffet at Stalybridgr Railway Station
Bamber Bridge started the match on the front foot and pinned The Celts back in the opening minutes. Brigs’ flow was disrupted in the 6th minute when Stalybridge were forced into an early change following an injury to Jay Fitzmartin who had to be stretchered off following treatment behind the goal. The change seemed to settle the home side, who after a shaky start began to get back into the game.
Brig were playing the neat, quick one touch football that has become their trademark this season with Rob Apter seeing plenty of the ball down the right hand side. The final ball was just missing though. Although Brig were enjoying much more possesion than Celtic, chances were at a premium and the keeper was barely troubled. At the other end, The Lancashire visitors were relieved when a shot from distance looked to be cleared close to the line and the rebound was hammered over the bar and out of the ground.
The superb Bower Field Stadium - Home of Stalybridger Celtic
Bamber Bridge responded and Rob Apter chested down a great diagonal pass, before cutting inside and striking a low shot that the home keeper saved comfortably. Seconds later and Apter again tried his luck. The home keeper making another good save.
While Brig were playing the better football Stalybridge Celtic were looking very sharp on the break and Mateusz Hewelt, The Bamber Bridge keeper had to be alert to dive to his right and save well from a daisy cutter of a shot from the edge of the box. However, on their next foray in to the Bamber Bridge half in the 38th minute, the home side took the lead. Nathan Pond was booked for a foul 30 yards from goal on the right hand side, The free-kick was swung into the box and the unlucky Pondy headed the ball into his own net as he tried to clear.
The goal lifted the hosts and for the remainder of the half they were on top with Brig now looking to play on the break. In the last minute of the half, Rob Apter raced clear down the right, cut the ball back to the 6 yard line but Matt Dudley mistimed his shot and the ball spooned over the bar. The referee brought the half to end moments later. A half were Bamber Bridge had seen plenty of the ball but in truth never really threatened the Celtic goal.
The Brig fans watching the 1st half
The second half began with Brig again starting well. Nathan Pond was close to getting his head on to a right wing Mark Yeates cross, the home keeper punching clear. 5 minutes later another Brig kick from a similar position sailed right across the 6 yard line just needing just a touch but it sneaked out for a goal-kick at the back post. Mateusz Hewelt then saved well from a rapid Celtic break, diving to his right to keep out a fierce half volley.
With the game becoming stretched , Brig made a change on 63 minutes, Craig Carney replacing Matt Dudley. The move paid almost instant dividends. A ball out wide right to Fin was swept inside where Rob Apter controlled and stuck a superb low shot from 8 yards, the ball squeezing under the home keeper as he dived to his left.
Just 2 minutes later and the turnaround was complete, as this time Fin Sinclair- Smith sent the Brig supports wild as he met a Mark Yeates low corner and from 15 yards smashed the ball in to the back of the net, the keeper diving left but beaten at his near post. Suddenly Bamber Bridge were playing with great confidence and the quick flowing one touch football was in evidence again.
The home side tried their best to get back into the game but Brig were in no mood to let slip what their hard work had earned and kept Celtic at arms length as the minutes ticked by.
Bamber Bridge were now looking more likely to add to their lead and Mark Yeates saw a fierce free kick stopped by the Celts centre half as it struck him fairly and squarely in the unmentionables !!! Fair play to the lad, he managed to regain his composure and clear up-field before keeling over. As the minutes passed Bamber Bridge kept possession well to run down the clock with home side becoming more and more frustrated. Several times as the match entered 5 minutes of stoppage time Brig won free kicks in the attacking third of the pitch. Superb game management by Jamie Milligans team.
The referee brought proceedings to a close with the Bamber Bridge fans behind the goal giving their team the ovation that their second half performance had deserved. The players coming across to applaud the visiting fans.
Brig continue with their relentless season this Tuesday when a trip to AFC Blackpool awaits in the Lancashire Senior Cup before returning to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium next Saturday for the Northern Premier League clash with Ashton United.
Full time: Stalybridge Celtic – 1 Bamber Bridge – 2
Att: 447
Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Thompson, White, Spooner (Capt.), Pond, Boyle, Apter, Sinclair, Dudley, Yeates, Sinclair-Smith
Subs: Carney, Green, Wilson, Churchman, Forbes.
A brilliant day started at a brilliant pub. The Buffet at Stalybridgr Railway Station
Bamber Bridge started the match on the front foot and pinned The Celts back in the opening minutes. Brigs’ flow was disrupted in the 6th minute when Stalybridge were forced into an early change following an injury to Jay Fitzmartin who had to be stretchered off following treatment behind the goal. The change seemed to settle the home side, who after a shaky start began to get back into the game.
Brig were playing the neat, quick one touch football that has become their trademark this season with Rob Apter seeing plenty of the ball down the right hand side. The final ball was just missing though. Although Brig were enjoying much more possesion than Celtic, chances were at a premium and the keeper was barely troubled. At the other end, The Lancashire visitors were relieved when a shot from distance looked to be cleared close to the line and the rebound was hammered over the bar and out of the ground.
The superb Bower Field Stadium - Home of Stalybridger Celtic
Bamber Bridge responded and Rob Apter chested down a great diagonal pass, before cutting inside and striking a low shot that the home keeper saved comfortably. Seconds later and Apter again tried his luck. The home keeper making another good save.
While Brig were playing the better football Stalybridge Celtic were looking very sharp on the break and Mateusz Hewelt, The Bamber Bridge keeper had to be alert to dive to his right and save well from a daisy cutter of a shot from the edge of the box. However, on their next foray in to the Bamber Bridge half in the 38th minute, the home side took the lead. Nathan Pond was booked for a foul 30 yards from goal on the right hand side, The free-kick was swung into the box and the unlucky Pondy headed the ball into his own net as he tried to clear.
The goal lifted the hosts and for the remainder of the half they were on top with Brig now looking to play on the break. In the last minute of the half, Rob Apter raced clear down the right, cut the ball back to the 6 yard line but Matt Dudley mistimed his shot and the ball spooned over the bar. The referee brought the half to end moments later. A half were Bamber Bridge had seen plenty of the ball but in truth never really threatened the Celtic goal.
The Brig fans watching the 1st half
The second half began with Brig again starting well. Nathan Pond was close to getting his head on to a right wing Mark Yeates cross, the home keeper punching clear. 5 minutes later another Brig kick from a similar position sailed right across the 6 yard line just needing just a touch but it sneaked out for a goal-kick at the back post. Mateusz Hewelt then saved well from a rapid Celtic break, diving to his right to keep out a fierce half volley.
With the game becoming stretched , Brig made a change on 63 minutes, Craig Carney replacing Matt Dudley. The move paid almost instant dividends. A ball out wide right to Fin was swept inside where Rob Apter controlled and stuck a superb low shot from 8 yards, the ball squeezing under the home keeper as he dived to his left.
Just 2 minutes later and the turnaround was complete, as this time Fin Sinclair- Smith sent the Brig supports wild as he met a Mark Yeates low corner and from 15 yards smashed the ball in to the back of the net, the keeper diving left but beaten at his near post. Suddenly Bamber Bridge were playing with great confidence and the quick flowing one touch football was in evidence again.
The home side tried their best to get back into the game but Brig were in no mood to let slip what their hard work had earned and kept Celtic at arms length as the minutes ticked by.
Bamber Bridge were now looking more likely to add to their lead and Mark Yeates saw a fierce free kick stopped by the Celts centre half as it struck him fairly and squarely in the unmentionables !!! Fair play to the lad, he managed to regain his composure and clear up-field before keeling over. As the minutes passed Bamber Bridge kept possession well to run down the clock with home side becoming more and more frustrated. Several times as the match entered 5 minutes of stoppage time Brig won free kicks in the attacking third of the pitch. Superb game management by Jamie Milligans team.
The referee brought proceedings to a close with the Bamber Bridge fans behind the goal giving their team the ovation that their second half performance had deserved. The players coming across to applaud the visiting fans.
Brig continue with their relentless season this Tuesday when a trip to AFC Blackpool awaits in the Lancashire Senior Cup before returning to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium next Saturday for the Northern Premier League clash with Ashton United.
Full time: Stalybridge Celtic – 1 Bamber Bridge – 2
Att: 447
Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Thompson, White, Spooner (Capt.), Pond, Boyle, Apter, Sinclair, Dudley, Yeates, Sinclair-Smith
Subs: Carney, Green, Wilson, Churchman, Forbes.
Saturday 9th October 2021
The Northern Premier League
Grantham Town - 1 v
Bamber Bridge - 2Bamber Bridge
followed up Tuesday nights impressive victory at home
to South Shields with another 3 points, this time on the road, at the
South Kesteven Sports Stadium, home of Grantham Town FC.
Re-producing Tuesday nights performance was always going to be a tall order, but Brig pretty much controlled a scrappy game from start to finish. Despite a nervy last couple of minutes, the Lancashire visitors left South Lincolnshire with the points in the bag to cement their position in the top 4 of the Northern Premier League.
Pre match drinks at Grantham Town
Brig were dealt a blow in the pre match warm up as Luke Higham had to withdraw from the starting line up with a back injury, Matt Thompson stepping into the left back role. The game started in end to end fashion, but it took Brig just 6 minutes to open the scoring. A free kick close to the touchline on the left was swung into the box by Matt Dudley, Ewan Bange met the ball with a bullet header into the back of the net to claim his 11th goal of the season and put Brig in front.
Grantham responded and came close when a long diagonal ball from the left was chipped back across goal from the right hand side of the penalty area and met with a header that went just wide of the post. The rest of the half was a very scrappy affair with neither side dominating but Brig always looking likely to add to their lead on the break.
Such a chance arrived on the half hour when Finlay Sinclair-Smith controlled a long ball on his chest, cut inside and rolled the ball square to Matt Thompson, who took a touch before drilling a low shot from 20 yards that was comfortably held by the home keeper. Moments later and Macca came close to doubling the Brig lead as he rose at the far post to get a good head on to a Sheldon Green right wing cross, the keeper diving left to push the ball around the post for a corner.
The souless bowl that is the South Kesteven Sports Stadium
Mateusz
Hewelt in the Bamber Bridge goal was then called upon on 35
minutes diving low to make a fine save at his near post following a
swift break from The Gingerbreads. A series of corners for the home
side were cleared before Brig had the final opportunity of the half,
A superb chipped pass from Churchy, found Fin bursting into the area,
The Bamber Bridge wide man played the ball square across the box but
a last ditch tackle cleared the ball for a corner as Ewan Bange
looked poised to stab the ball home.
The second half continued in much the same way as the first. Hewelt had to be alert as he raced from his goal to dive at the feet of the advancing home striker to make a good save. Two free kicks soon followed for the home side, one from 25 yards in the centre of the goal that was hammered high and wide, before a second free kick from 20 yards to the left of the penalty area was struck into the wall, the rebound again lashed well over the bar. In-between the two free kicks Isaac Sinclair had seen his 20 yard shot beat the keeper but land on the roof of the net.
On 70 minutes Brig made a change with Finlay Sinclair-Smith being replaced by Craig Carney. Brig were starting to get back on top at this stage and Sheldon Green was unlucky not to double the score when his close range header from a free kick on the left was scooped clear by the home keeper as it bounced right in front of him. Ewan Bange then played a delightful ball through the middle for Sheldon to run on to, his low shot was saved by the keepers legs.
The second goal for Bamber Bridge arrived in the 75th minute, just seconds after Danny Forbes had replaced Ewan Bange. Isaac Sinclair controlling a Sheldon Green cross on his chest before knocking the ball home from 6 yards. Harvey Gregson entered the fray for Brig in the 80th minute, replacing Sheldon Green as Brig looked to consolidate their lead.
The players are over there.......Somewhere !!
With the game entering 4 minutes of stoppage time, Brig had the chance to make it three, Callum Spooner racing through the centre of the park but delaying slightly with the pass to Isaac Sinclair who had strayed just offside. Grantham took the free kick and following a quick break pulled an unlikey goal back.
Brig held firm for the remaining 2 minutes of stoppage time to claim the 3 points and cement their 4th place position in the NPL. A strange game all in all and probably not much of a spectacle for any neutrals in the crowd. But for Bamber Bridge, a solid if unspectacular performance and a win that would surely have given Brig Manager Jamie Milligan and his coaching staff much pleasure. The performance emphasised by the work rate of unsung hero Dylan Boyle in the Brig midfield who had a great match.
Onwards to Tuesday evening now as Bamber Bridge play hosts to Atherton Collieries.
Full Time: Grantham Town - 1 Bamber Bridge – 2
Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Churchman, Thompson, Spooner, Wilson (Capt), Boyle, Green, Sinclair, Bange, Dudley, Sinclair-Smith
Subs: Carney, Forbes, Gregson
Re-producing Tuesday nights performance was always going to be a tall order, but Brig pretty much controlled a scrappy game from start to finish. Despite a nervy last couple of minutes, the Lancashire visitors left South Lincolnshire with the points in the bag to cement their position in the top 4 of the Northern Premier League.
Pre match drinks at Grantham Town
Brig were dealt a blow in the pre match warm up as Luke Higham had to withdraw from the starting line up with a back injury, Matt Thompson stepping into the left back role. The game started in end to end fashion, but it took Brig just 6 minutes to open the scoring. A free kick close to the touchline on the left was swung into the box by Matt Dudley, Ewan Bange met the ball with a bullet header into the back of the net to claim his 11th goal of the season and put Brig in front.
Grantham responded and came close when a long diagonal ball from the left was chipped back across goal from the right hand side of the penalty area and met with a header that went just wide of the post. The rest of the half was a very scrappy affair with neither side dominating but Brig always looking likely to add to their lead on the break.
Such a chance arrived on the half hour when Finlay Sinclair-Smith controlled a long ball on his chest, cut inside and rolled the ball square to Matt Thompson, who took a touch before drilling a low shot from 20 yards that was comfortably held by the home keeper. Moments later and Macca came close to doubling the Brig lead as he rose at the far post to get a good head on to a Sheldon Green right wing cross, the keeper diving left to push the ball around the post for a corner.
The souless bowl that is the South Kesteven Sports Stadium
The second half continued in much the same way as the first. Hewelt had to be alert as he raced from his goal to dive at the feet of the advancing home striker to make a good save. Two free kicks soon followed for the home side, one from 25 yards in the centre of the goal that was hammered high and wide, before a second free kick from 20 yards to the left of the penalty area was struck into the wall, the rebound again lashed well over the bar. In-between the two free kicks Isaac Sinclair had seen his 20 yard shot beat the keeper but land on the roof of the net.
On 70 minutes Brig made a change with Finlay Sinclair-Smith being replaced by Craig Carney. Brig were starting to get back on top at this stage and Sheldon Green was unlucky not to double the score when his close range header from a free kick on the left was scooped clear by the home keeper as it bounced right in front of him. Ewan Bange then played a delightful ball through the middle for Sheldon to run on to, his low shot was saved by the keepers legs.
The second goal for Bamber Bridge arrived in the 75th minute, just seconds after Danny Forbes had replaced Ewan Bange. Isaac Sinclair controlling a Sheldon Green cross on his chest before knocking the ball home from 6 yards. Harvey Gregson entered the fray for Brig in the 80th minute, replacing Sheldon Green as Brig looked to consolidate their lead.
The players are over there.......Somewhere !!
With the game entering 4 minutes of stoppage time, Brig had the chance to make it three, Callum Spooner racing through the centre of the park but delaying slightly with the pass to Isaac Sinclair who had strayed just offside. Grantham took the free kick and following a quick break pulled an unlikey goal back.
Brig held firm for the remaining 2 minutes of stoppage time to claim the 3 points and cement their 4th place position in the NPL. A strange game all in all and probably not much of a spectacle for any neutrals in the crowd. But for Bamber Bridge, a solid if unspectacular performance and a win that would surely have given Brig Manager Jamie Milligan and his coaching staff much pleasure. The performance emphasised by the work rate of unsung hero Dylan Boyle in the Brig midfield who had a great match.
Onwards to Tuesday evening now as Bamber Bridge play hosts to Atherton Collieries.
Full Time: Grantham Town - 1 Bamber Bridge – 2
Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Churchman, Thompson, Spooner, Wilson (Capt), Boyle, Green, Sinclair, Bange, Dudley, Sinclair-Smith
Subs: Carney, Forbes, Gregson