Bamber Bridge’s recent run of victories came to a shuddering halt at The Project Solar Stadium, home of Hyde United on Saturday afternoon with the Tigers demolishing Brig 7-0 to leapfrog the Lancashire visitors and move in to 2^nd place in the Northern Premier League. A Bamber Bridge off day, coupled with a Hungry, determined Tigers side was the recipe for a real mauling.


The game was essentially lost for Brig within 20 minutes, conceding a headed goal on 10 minutes then seeing Captain Macaulay Wilson sent off for allegedly stamping on former Brigger Callum Spooner. By this stage the home side were well on top and Brig were struggling to gain any kind of foothold in the game.

Hyde had started far the brighter of the two sides and on 10 minutes a right wing cross was met with a free header at the far post to give the home side the lead. Brig just never got into the game, An Oli Patrick shot following two blocked Brig efforts gave the Tigers keeper his only save of the match as he comfortably dropped onto the low shot form the Accy Stanley Loanee.


The goal inspired Hyde Utd as they continued to dominate possession A free kick cleared the Brig bar and several corners were repelled as the half wore on with chances coming and going for the home side. With no attacking threat from Bamber Bridge, getting in to the half time break with just the one goal deficit would have been the main aim at this stage of the match. The wheels however, where to fall off in the 41^st minute, A long throw in from the right caused confusion in the Brig box, the ball ending up in the back of the net possibly off a Brig defender, The Linesman was flagging and it looked as though the goal would be disallowed, but the referee overruled his assistant and the goal stood.


Brig kicked off, Lost possession immediately, a forward pass saw Brig keeper Felix Goddard seemingly miss the ball as he tried to clear, the Hyde forward simply ran around the keeper and slotted the ball into the empty net. Unbelievably, Worse was to come just two minutes later when Fin Sinclair-Smith brought down a Tigers player has he ran into the box, The referee pointing without hesitation to the spot. The penalty was duly dispatched giving the hosts a 4-0 half time lead. Three goals coming in the final 4 minutes of the half.


Two second half changes for Brig saw Danny Forbes and Rhys Turner replace Harry Scarborough and Aaron Skinner. The changes made little impact to the flow of the game as Hyde United once again completely dominated the second half. Brig failed to create any meaningful chances and didn’t have a shot on target at all.

Four goals soon became five just 10 minutes into the second period, Callum Spooner rubbing salt into the Brig wounds with with a great strike form the edge of the area following a swift passing move down the left wing. Two Bamber Bridge corners which came to nothing were as much as Brig offered in an attacking sense as Hyde swarmed all over the visitors in pursuit of more goals. Felix Goddard made a superb point blank save to keep the scoreline down to five. The mid section of the half drifted on with Hyde seemingly content with their five goal haul, but,with just minutes remaining, a five goal thumping became a six and then seven goal thumping. Another left wing attack ad a low cross was slotted home from close range to make it six.


The referee indicated 4 additional minutes and in the third of those, Hyde United made it seven to round off a truly dismal afternoon for Bamber Bridge. The full time whistle brought some relief to the beleaguered Briggers behind the goal. The Brig supporters showed their support for Millie and the team and applauded them as they walked disconsolately towards them

We just have to brush this one aside and move on to Whitby Town on Tuesday night. Wise words also from Brigger Sean Kemplay, who’s considered thoughts were “Had we drawn with Hyde at home and drawn away, we’d all be happy with the two points as it is we beat them at Irongate and actually have 3 points from the two games” Wise words Sean !!! But I’m still not using your “Magnificent Seven” headline !!!.

Bamber Bridge made it 3 league wins on the bounce and 16 points from the last 18 available with a fine 2-1 victory at the “David Longstaff Martin and Co Arena” home of Gainsborough Triniy in the Flat lands of Lincolnshire on Saturday afternoon.

A flowing first half, with two superbly worked goals, followed by a gritty, determined 2^nd half were the Lancashire visitors survived an onslaught from The Holy Blues, to claim 3 vital points that raise Brig in to 4^th Place in The Northern Premier League and joint second with South Shields.


On a glorious late October afternoon on a superb pitch, it was Brig who started the brighter of the two sides, and an early left wing cross from Nathan Pond almost caught the keeper out as he scrambled towards his back post, the ball dropping and landing on the roof of the net. Bamber Bridge keeper Felix Goddard was soon called into action at the other end, diving forward to make a comfortable save from an edge of the box Trinity shot.


The early stages of the match where fairly even with Brig playing some lovely patient passing football, the home side always posing a threat with their more direct approach. It was Bamber Bridge who opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a super goal, Dave Perkins superbly won possession 25 yards from goal and fed the ball to Paul Dawson, he laid the ball square to Conor Stanley who calmly stroked the ball in to the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.


Paul Dawson picked up a harsh looking yellow card on 14 minutes for deliberate handball, the ball having been smashed towards him from close range. Max Fisher followed him in to the referee’s note book minutes later. Brig were playing really well at this stage of the game and zipping the ball around the lush turf. The home side were always a threat however, and from a free kick on the right the ball was laid back before a goal bound shot was superbly blocked, the rebound was then walloped high over the bar. Felix then made another fine stop as he beat the Trinity forward to a through ball, diving at the feet of the striker to claim the ball.


As the first half drew to a close, the home side were beginning to build a head of steam and a break down the left wing saw a low cross whipped across the 6 yard line, fortunately for Brig there was no Trinity player on hand to meet the cross and the ball was cleared. Brig Captain Macaulay Wilson, who was having a superb match in the heart of the Brig defence then looked to take a knock and needed treatment for several minutes before he was able to continue. Felix then made another diving interception before Brig doubled their advantage right on half time.


Again, another superbly worked Bamber Bridge goal, a fine passing move down the right saw Finn Sinclair-Smith cut in from the touchline and play the ball square to Nathan Pond, on the edge of the box with his back goal, Pondy swivelled and planted the ball into the far bottom corner of the net, the keeper diving to his right at full stretch but unable to reach the superbly placed drive. Moments after the restart the referee blew the half time whistle to end a very satisfactory opening 45 minutes for the Briggers.


The second half was an entirely different game as the home side came out with all guns blazing and threw the proverbial kitchen sink at their Lancashire Visitors. A Paul Dawson shot from the right side of the box that sailed over the bar was pretty much all Brig could muster in an attacking sense as they were forced to defend resolutely for pretty much the entire second half.


Brig had made a half time change with Oli Patrick coming on for Max Fisher, which also meant a switch in positions with Oli slotting in at right back and Aaron Skinner swapping sides to fill the left back role. Six minutes in the 2^nd half the early onslaught paid dividends for the Lincolnshire side, as the pulled a goal back following a neat interchange of passes in the Brig penalty area.

The goal lifted Trinity and they poured forward looking to get back on level terms, Brig were having none of it however and defended with great determination and resolve. A change on the hour saw Danny Forbes enter the fray with Paul Dawson making way.

A Brig free kick on the left led to loud claims of handball from the Brig players as the ball was hooked clear but the referee was having none of it and the game carried on. Almost immediately a free kick in a similar position at the other end saw a fine block from a fierce low drive. Felix Goddard then made the save of the match diving full length to his left to push another long range low strike out to safety. Brig were keeping their opponents at arms length and despite the possessional advantage of the home side, Bamber Bridge were defending their goal superbly.

A the other end of the pitch and behind the goal the support from the Briggers was also immense, particularly the Younger element with Adam and Lucas hammering away on the drum, with James and Beth joining in with the vocal support. Terrific stuff and it must surely have given the players on the pitch a big lift.

Five minutes of added time were signalled and gave the hosts another lift as they once again tried to bombard the Brig back line. Danny Forbes making a great headed clearance in the last minute of stoppage time before the referee finally blew for full time. The Brig fans and players celebrated a brilliant, hard earned 3 points. Two completely differing halves of football showing Brig can both play and defend in equal measure. Great credit also to Millie and his coaching staff for their management of the second half and making timely changes to secure the points.


Brig now have a free week before we make the relatively short trip to face what will be another tough fixture at Hyde United next Saturday.

Bamber Bridge’s interest in this seasons Isuza FA Trophy ended at The Leasing.com , home of Macclesfield AFC in the 3^rd Qualifying round on Saturday afternoon. A difficult fixture became a mountainous task as Brig trailed 3-0 at the break, eventually losing the Tie 6-1

Macclesfield are currently 1 league below Bamber Bridge in the Non League Pyramid, but surely not for long. Their stadium and facilities are superb and matched equally by the quality of the team on the pitch, currently sitting on top Of The Northern Premier League West, they swept Brig aside to progress to the next round of the Trophy.

Bamber Bridge had the first shot of the game, Paul Dawson striking a shot wide of the post in the 2^nd minute. That was really as good as it got Brig as just 3 minutes later the hosts took the lead. A raid down the left wing saw the ball squared infield, a first time shot was parried by Felix in the Brig goal but Alex Curren reacted quickest for the home side, slamming the rebound in to the roof of the net.


The early goal rocked The Lancashire Visitors and the Cheshire side piled on the pressure looking for a second goal. Felix made a good save from a long range effort as the pressure built up on the Brig rearguard. Two more chances came and went for Macc before Brig launched a counter attack, Isaac Sinclair unfortunate to see his powerful drive tipped over the bar for a corner. Paul Dawson met the corner but his volleyed effort flew wide.

Brig looked at this stage of the game to be getting a foothold as they pushed the hosts back but Macc were always quick on the break especially down the left hand side were most of their chances originated from. A Fin shot was comfortably held by the home keeper as the game swung from end to end. Before the Brig striker tried his luck again this time the ball clearing the bar, and the stand roof.


With the game heading towards the half time break and with just the one goal in it, Macclesfield effectively sealed the tie in just two minutes, first in the 44^th minute from another left wing attack, the ball was played square and slotted home from the edge of the box, and just 1 minute later they added a third. Alex Curren, raced into the box and slotted the ball through the legs Felix Goddard the Brig goal.

A half that the home side had largely dominated but the two late goals really rubbed salt in to the Brig wounds.


Bamber Bridge were back out on the pitch a good two minutes before Macc entered the arena. Brig won a corner straight from the kick off but the ball was headed over the bar from the corner kick. Macc almost grabbed a fourth as Brig lost possession allowing danger man James Berry to race away don the left, his dangerous ball was well cut out by Macca and cleared for a corner. Pondy then got his head to a cross only for the ball to drop over the bar. Brig pulled one back however on the hour, Aaron Skinner striding forward before curling a fine shot in to the bottom corner of the net from 18 yards.

Matt Thomson then made a great block as he got in the way of a fierce drive. And Felix Goddard tipped a shot over the bar before the hosts added a fourth goal. Brig again guilty of conceding possession their right, leading to a swift left wing Macc attack, the ball being squared to the right and lashed home


Macc's number 11 James Berry was having a field day as he constantly tormented the Brig defence with his surging runs down the left wing. Brig made a double change, bringing on Danny Forbes and Vaughn Green in place of Dave Perkins and Harry Scarborough. By this stage of the contest however the home side where rampant and Brig were unable to stem the tide. On 70 minutes, The Silkmen added a fifth. Berry again the provider, setting up a close range shooting opportunity that was duly dispatched.

Pondy received a yellow card as frustration set in before Brig made a final change, with Fin making way for Kade Ratchford. With the tie won, the home side eased off and the game drifted towards conclusion, but they still had time to add a 6^th goal in stoppage time. Berry again crossing for Maynard to tap home from close range.


Full time and the hosts take their place in the hat for the next round. A very comfortable victory in truth from a side playing at a level in the non league pyramid way below the abilities of their playing staff. With the superb facilities and backing they have, Macclesfield AFC will soon be knocking on the door of the Football League again.

For Bamber Bridge, the FA Cup and FA Trophy is over for another season, and we concentrate on The Northern Premier League, not forgetting of course a tasty Lancashire Cup encounter coming up at Lancaster City.

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Bamber Bridge returned form a long Tuesday evening visit to the North East with a well earned point following the 1-1 draw at Craik Park, home of the Highwaymen of Morpeth Town. But for the heroics of the home keeper, Brig would have returned with all 3 points, The Morpeth stopper making one of two outstanding saves deep into injury time to deny Brig goalscorer Fin Sinclair-Smith a brace and what would have been the winning goal.


Bamber Bridge started the game is superb fashion, sweeping the ball around the 3g pitch with pace and purpose. It took just four minutes to test the home keeper. Fin Sinclair-Smith striking a low shot from the edge of the penalty area towards the keepers left hand post, it looked in all the way only for the outstretched hand of the keeper at full stretch to push the ball to safety. Brig continued to dominate the early stages, sweeping the ball from right to left. Oli Patrick making his full Brig debut swung acroos two superb right wing crosses that caused panic in the home defence.

Morpeth looked dangerous on the break and their more direct style gave Brig much to think about defensively. It was Brig doing most of the attacking though with Fin the focal point of most of the Bamber Bridge attacks, on 20 minutes he cut inside from the left before striking a low 15 yard shot, the keeper getting down well to save.
However, as we all know, Football can change in an instant, and that instant arrived on 21 minutes, Oli Patrick who had started really well, slipped on the wet surface, the Town forward took advantage racing in to the space left behind by the Brig right back, the ball was squared from the edge of the area and slammed passed Felix in the Brig goal to give the hosts a fortunate lead.

Brig responded well and Fin again was unlucky has he surged into the area, this time from the right and saw his goal bound shot deflected wide for a corner. Danny Forbes was next to try his luck, striking a firm drive from 20 yards but it was straight at the keeper who saved comfortably. Minutes later and Sheldon Green was next to be denied as his effort was again deflected behind the goal for another Bamber Bridge corner.


As the half entered the last 10 minutes the home side began to come more into the match and had a spell of pressure, pushing the visitors back and forcing a series of corners, all well defended by the Lancashire visitors. From one corner, Matt Thomson sliced his clearance and was fortunate to see the ball flash wide after striking the outside of the post. Nathan Pond received a yellow card for a robust challenge as Brig looked to get to the break with just the one goal deficit.

The second half began in similar fashion with The Highwaymen getting on top in the opening 10 minutes of the half. Brig started to force their way back in to the contest and Fin watched from the right as his driven waist height cross fizzed across the 6 yard box and out for a throw in at the far side. Millie made a change with the game approaching the hour mark, Kade Ratchford making way for Noah Alabi. Noah’s time on the pitch however was to be short-lived when just two minutes later he took a blow to face from an accidental challenge and was unable to continue. Vaughn Green replacing the unfortunate Brig midfielder.


The young ex North End player was immediately involved as his superb touch on the edge of the area set Fin free into the box, his shot under a defensive challenge was straight at the keeper who palmed it down before before diving on the ball.

On 70 minutes, the match swung in Brigs favour as Morpeth Town were reduced to 10 men. The referee seeing the challenge by Henderson on Danny Forbes as serious foul play and producing the red card. In fairness it looked a harsh decision.

Bamber Bridge took advantage and just 5 minutes later scored the equaliser. Man of the match Fin Sinclair-Smith received a great ball from Matt Thomson on the edge of the box and with  a superb "Cruyff" turn he left the defender in his wake as, he strode in to the area before planting the ball in to the bottom corner of the net, much to the delight of the 4 Brig fans packed behind the goal !! It was no more than Brig deserved and with the home side begining to tire it was Brig who were to finish the stronger.


Wil Riding replaced Sheldon Green on 80 minutes as Brig poured forward looking for the winner. The home side looking to slow the play down at every opportunity. The chance arrived for Bamber Bridge deep into stoppage time and inevitably it was Fin again, crashing a low drive towards the keepers bottom left hand post, The keeper flung himself across goal and made another stunning save tipping the ball around the post leaving Fin stood with hands on his head in disbelief.

The full time whistle arrived and Brig returned to Lancashire with a much deserved and well earned point. The Manager and coaching staff felt it should have been 3 points but they were pleased with the performance, as were the supporters who made their way back to the coach for the three and a half hour journey home.

Morpeth is a difficult place to go, given the distance involved, the Plastic pitch and it being a Tuesday evening. A good point and a good trip. We move on to Macclesfield FC this weekend in the FA Trophy in what will be an equally difficult match.

Full Time: Morpeth Town – 1 Bamber Bridge – 1

Bamber bridge: Goddard, Patrick, Thomson, Skinner, Wilson ©, Pond, Green (S), Perkins, Sinclair-Smith, Forbes, Ratchford

Substitutes: Alabi, Riding, Green (V)

Att: 374