 |
  |
|
Tuesday 28th September 2021
Northern Premier League
Mickleover
Sports - 0 Bamber Bridge - 1
Autumn seemed to have arrived in Derbyshire as the game kicked off in darkness and pouring rain. Brig started in energetic fashion pinning the hosts back in the opening minutes. Rob Apter set the tone for the game with a driving run into the penalty area from the right wing. He cut the ball back along the 6 yard line but it was hacked clear as Ewan Bange looked ready to pounce. Another right wing cross was headed clear by the home side before Rob Apter was involved again, this time striking a 20 yard shot that the keeper dived full length to his left to save.
A very wet night in Derbyshire
Chances were coming on a regular basis for Brig, Mark Yeates fizzing a shot just wide of the keepers right hand post as Bamber Bridge continued to dominate possession. Rob Apter again flashed a low across in from the right that ran across the 6 yard line, and out to safety. It was then the turn of recent signing Fin Sinclair- Smith received the ball with his back to goal on the 6 yard line after great work from Ewan Bange, surrounded by defenders Fin went for an audacious back heel that was heading for the bottom corner but the home keeper was alert to the danger and saved the effort.
Chances were coming and going and with Brig failing to take advantage of their dominance the home side started to get back into the game. The first effort of the half from the home side came in the last 5 minutes of the half when a shot from the edge of the penalty area whistled just wide of the Brig goal. The last chance of the half fell to Ewan Bange as he made dribbled in to the area but was closed down as he got in a shot from 6 yards and the keeper saved comfortably.
The second half started with the home side trying to get a foothold in the game. They almost took the lead on 50 minutes when a looping cross from the right seemed to deceive Brig keeper Mateusz Hewelt and crashed back off the post before being hooked clear. Brig responded and Macaulay Wilson was twice involved in quick succession, first heading narrowly over from a right wing cross and then flicking on a straight ball into the box that beat the keeper but flew just wide of the post.
Bamber Bridge were back on top and dominating again. Mark Yeates, having another superb game, was sent clear down the right, he cut the ball back from the goal line and it ran right across the area, just 2 yards from goal and just needing a touch. The home side breathed again as the ball was hooked away at the back post.
Mickleover were playing on the break and looked to have taken the lead on 70 minutes. A shot from distance cannoned back of the bar and was bundled home on the rebound. Brig were relieved to see the Linesman’s flag raised and the goal was disallowed for offside. Bamber Bridge made a change on 75 minutes with matt Dudley replacing Isaac Sinclair. Moments later another chance went begging as Fin Sinclair- Smith scooped over the bar after good work from Ewan Bange.
Main stand at The Don Amott Stadium prior to it's refit in March 2021
With the match heading for what would have been a frustrating draw, Bamber Bridge grabbed the winner in the 88th minute. Again Brig worked the right channel and as a low cross came in to the penalty area, Rob Apter controlled the ball before smashing it under the keeper in to the back of the net from 10 yards to send the Briggers behind the goal wild with delight.
Two further changes saw Danny Forbes and Ryan White replace, Fin and Mark Yeates as the visitors comfortably played out the remaining minutes. Full time brought a great roar from both players and fans alike. The Brig squad coming to the end behind the goal to high 5 all the Brig fans.
Back into the bar and the night was summed up perfectly by Rob Melling. “What are you having to drink Rob?” - “I’ll have pint of "3 points on a dark wet night in Derbyshire !" Good choice!! And a fine pint it was too !
After 3 defeats it was important for Bamber Bridge to get back to winning ways and the 3 points coupled with a really good performance did just that.
Full Time: Mickleover Sports – 0 Bamber Bridge – 1
Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Churchman, Higham, Spooner, Wilson (Capt.), Boyle, Apter, Sinclair, Bange, Yeates, Sinclair-Smith
Subs: Carney, Forbes, green, Dudley, White
Tuesday 14th September 2021
Northern Premier League
FC
United of Manchester - 1 Bamber Bridge - 0
Saturday 4th September 2021
FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round.
West Allotment
Celtic - 2 v Bamber Bridge - 7
Northern Premier League
Mickleover
Sports - 0 Bamber Bridge - 1
Bamber
Bridge returned to winning ways on Tuesday evening with a late
Rob Apter goal to claim all 3 points on the 3g Plastic pitch at The
Don Amott Arena, home of Mickleover Sports in Deepest Darkest
Derbyshire. A good performance from the Lancashire visitors and fully
deserving of the victory.
Autumn seemed to have arrived in Derbyshire as the game kicked off in darkness and pouring rain. Brig started in energetic fashion pinning the hosts back in the opening minutes. Rob Apter set the tone for the game with a driving run into the penalty area from the right wing. He cut the ball back along the 6 yard line but it was hacked clear as Ewan Bange looked ready to pounce. Another right wing cross was headed clear by the home side before Rob Apter was involved again, this time striking a 20 yard shot that the keeper dived full length to his left to save.
A very wet night in Derbyshire
Chances were coming on a regular basis for Brig, Mark Yeates fizzing a shot just wide of the keepers right hand post as Bamber Bridge continued to dominate possession. Rob Apter again flashed a low across in from the right that ran across the 6 yard line, and out to safety. It was then the turn of recent signing Fin Sinclair- Smith received the ball with his back to goal on the 6 yard line after great work from Ewan Bange, surrounded by defenders Fin went for an audacious back heel that was heading for the bottom corner but the home keeper was alert to the danger and saved the effort.
Chances were coming and going and with Brig failing to take advantage of their dominance the home side started to get back into the game. The first effort of the half from the home side came in the last 5 minutes of the half when a shot from the edge of the penalty area whistled just wide of the Brig goal. The last chance of the half fell to Ewan Bange as he made dribbled in to the area but was closed down as he got in a shot from 6 yards and the keeper saved comfortably.
The second half started with the home side trying to get a foothold in the game. They almost took the lead on 50 minutes when a looping cross from the right seemed to deceive Brig keeper Mateusz Hewelt and crashed back off the post before being hooked clear. Brig responded and Macaulay Wilson was twice involved in quick succession, first heading narrowly over from a right wing cross and then flicking on a straight ball into the box that beat the keeper but flew just wide of the post.
Bamber Bridge were back on top and dominating again. Mark Yeates, having another superb game, was sent clear down the right, he cut the ball back from the goal line and it ran right across the area, just 2 yards from goal and just needing a touch. The home side breathed again as the ball was hooked away at the back post.
Mickleover were playing on the break and looked to have taken the lead on 70 minutes. A shot from distance cannoned back of the bar and was bundled home on the rebound. Brig were relieved to see the Linesman’s flag raised and the goal was disallowed for offside. Bamber Bridge made a change on 75 minutes with matt Dudley replacing Isaac Sinclair. Moments later another chance went begging as Fin Sinclair- Smith scooped over the bar after good work from Ewan Bange.
Main stand at The Don Amott Stadium prior to it's refit in March 2021
With the match heading for what would have been a frustrating draw, Bamber Bridge grabbed the winner in the 88th minute. Again Brig worked the right channel and as a low cross came in to the penalty area, Rob Apter controlled the ball before smashing it under the keeper in to the back of the net from 10 yards to send the Briggers behind the goal wild with delight.
Two further changes saw Danny Forbes and Ryan White replace, Fin and Mark Yeates as the visitors comfortably played out the remaining minutes. Full time brought a great roar from both players and fans alike. The Brig squad coming to the end behind the goal to high 5 all the Brig fans.
Back into the bar and the night was summed up perfectly by Rob Melling. “What are you having to drink Rob?” - “I’ll have pint of "3 points on a dark wet night in Derbyshire !" Good choice!! And a fine pint it was too !
After 3 defeats it was important for Bamber Bridge to get back to winning ways and the 3 points coupled with a really good performance did just that.
Full Time: Mickleover Sports – 0 Bamber Bridge – 1
Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Churchman, Higham, Spooner, Wilson (Capt.), Boyle, Apter, Sinclair, Bange, Yeates, Sinclair-Smith
Subs: Carney, Forbes, green, Dudley, White
Tuesday 14th September 2021
Northern Premier League
FC
United of Manchester - 1 Bamber Bridge - 0
Bamber Bridge’s
8 match unbeaten run came to an end at Broadhurst
Park, home of FC United of Manchester on Tuesday evening. Beaten by a
Brad Holmes goal midway through the 2nd half. Harsh on
Brig who had put in a good performance in a real end to end battle.
Bamber Bridge manager Jamie Milligan named an unchanged starting line up following Saturdays thrilling win at Scarborough. The Match started at a frenetic pace. FC United were first out of the blocks and Brig keeper Hewelt saved well in the 4th minute, the ball cannoning back off the FC forward and out to safety. Brig responded and forced a couple of corners before Ewan Bange saw a shot from the edge of the area blocked and cleared.
The game swung from end to end with both sides playing at a tremendous pace. Ex Brig legend Ali Waddecar, playing wide on the right, delivered a cross from the right but that was headed out for a corner. Rob Apter and Ewan Bange then exchanged passes just outside the penalty area but FC cleared before Ewan Bange could get a shot away. Moments later and a Rob Apter run down the right wing was halted as he cut inside and was tripped as he approached the 18 yard box. The free Kick was headed clear and within seconds FC had a corner at the far end.
Rob Apter then played a superb ball through to Isaac Sinclair, but the Brig wide man had strayed just offside. At the other end Brig cleared two further corners before almost taking the lead right on half time. Superb footwork from Mark Yeates saw him side step a challenge before sliding the ball towards Ewan Bange, The Brig striker struck the ball first time and it flashed just inches over the bar. That was the last action of a helter skelter half.
The second half stared just as the first had ended, with FC United fizzing the ball around but still neither side having any prolonged spells of pressure. Hewelt in goal for Brig came to the rescue soon after the restart making a fine save from a 25 yard free kick, back at the other end and a Brig corner was only half cleared, another ex Brigger, Adam Dodd, sliding in to knock it out for a further corner before any Brig player could pounce.
More Brig pressure saw a superb Mark Yeates pass release Isaac Sinclair down the left, As he shaped to shoot the FC right back got to the ball first to put it out for another corner. The corner found Ewan Bange who turned and shot from 15 yards, the home keeper diving low to make a comfortable save.
On 64 minutes the 1st substitution of the game saw FC replace Ali Waddecar, who received a terrific ovation from the Brig suppoertress in the ground. The game was still end to end but both sides just lacking composure when chances arose. On 70 minutes both managers made further changes, For FC, Manager Neil (Reno) Reynolds brought on yet another ex Brigger, Regan Linney whilst Jamie Milligan made a change bringing on Sheldon Green for Rob Apter. The Blackpool loanee did not look too happy with that decision.
Two minutes later FC United thought they had taken the lead, the linesman coming to Brigs rescue to disallow the goal for offside. The home side didn’t have to wait much longer however, With 74 minutes gone, the FCUM spurred on by the home fans following the disallowed effort scored the deciding goal. As Brig were frantically trying to make a further change, A long ball from left to right was knocked back across the goal area where Holmes connected for FC to drill a low shot into the back of the net.
Brig certainly didn’t deserve to be behind but the pressure had been building for several minutes. Bamber Bridge responded and Harvey Gregson brought a fine save out of the home keeper as he drilled a low shot from 15 yards, the keeper diving to his left to turn the ball around the post for a corner. Two more Brig substitutions saw Ewan Bange and Mark Yeates replaced by Ryan White and Matt Dudley.
Try as they might Brig were finding the FCUM back line a tough nut to crack as the home sides defence always seemed to get to the ball first as the visitors pressed for the equaliser. FCUM were still looking to add to their goal and only a goal-line clearance kept the score at 1-0.
With the game entering 3 minutes of added time Harvey Gregson watched on as his 20 yard shot flashed just wide of the post with the keeper diving across his goal. That was the last action of the match and the final whistle was greeted with a tremendous roar from the home support.
So, the unbeaten 8 match run is at an end. But Bamber Bridge can consider themselves unlucky not to be leaving Broadhurst Park with a point. A Frantic game with both sides giving their all and an entertaining if ultimately frustrating match for the Lancashire visitors.
Full time: FC United Of Manchester – 1 Bamber Bridge – 0
Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Thompson, Higham, Spooner (Capt.), Gourley, Gregson, Apter, Boyle, Bange, Yeates, Sinclair
Subs: Churchman, Green, Dudley, Carney, White
Att: 1,525
Bamber Bridge manager Jamie Milligan named an unchanged starting line up following Saturdays thrilling win at Scarborough. The Match started at a frenetic pace. FC United were first out of the blocks and Brig keeper Hewelt saved well in the 4th minute, the ball cannoning back off the FC forward and out to safety. Brig responded and forced a couple of corners before Ewan Bange saw a shot from the edge of the area blocked and cleared.
The game swung from end to end with both sides playing at a tremendous pace. Ex Brig legend Ali Waddecar, playing wide on the right, delivered a cross from the right but that was headed out for a corner. Rob Apter and Ewan Bange then exchanged passes just outside the penalty area but FC cleared before Ewan Bange could get a shot away. Moments later and a Rob Apter run down the right wing was halted as he cut inside and was tripped as he approached the 18 yard box. The free Kick was headed clear and within seconds FC had a corner at the far end.
Rob Apter then played a superb ball through to Isaac Sinclair, but the Brig wide man had strayed just offside. At the other end Brig cleared two further corners before almost taking the lead right on half time. Superb footwork from Mark Yeates saw him side step a challenge before sliding the ball towards Ewan Bange, The Brig striker struck the ball first time and it flashed just inches over the bar. That was the last action of a helter skelter half.
The second half stared just as the first had ended, with FC United fizzing the ball around but still neither side having any prolonged spells of pressure. Hewelt in goal for Brig came to the rescue soon after the restart making a fine save from a 25 yard free kick, back at the other end and a Brig corner was only half cleared, another ex Brigger, Adam Dodd, sliding in to knock it out for a further corner before any Brig player could pounce.
More Brig pressure saw a superb Mark Yeates pass release Isaac Sinclair down the left, As he shaped to shoot the FC right back got to the ball first to put it out for another corner. The corner found Ewan Bange who turned and shot from 15 yards, the home keeper diving low to make a comfortable save.
On 64 minutes the 1st substitution of the game saw FC replace Ali Waddecar, who received a terrific ovation from the Brig suppoertress in the ground. The game was still end to end but both sides just lacking composure when chances arose. On 70 minutes both managers made further changes, For FC, Manager Neil (Reno) Reynolds brought on yet another ex Brigger, Regan Linney whilst Jamie Milligan made a change bringing on Sheldon Green for Rob Apter. The Blackpool loanee did not look too happy with that decision.
Two minutes later FC United thought they had taken the lead, the linesman coming to Brigs rescue to disallow the goal for offside. The home side didn’t have to wait much longer however, With 74 minutes gone, the FCUM spurred on by the home fans following the disallowed effort scored the deciding goal. As Brig were frantically trying to make a further change, A long ball from left to right was knocked back across the goal area where Holmes connected for FC to drill a low shot into the back of the net.
Brig certainly didn’t deserve to be behind but the pressure had been building for several minutes. Bamber Bridge responded and Harvey Gregson brought a fine save out of the home keeper as he drilled a low shot from 15 yards, the keeper diving to his left to turn the ball around the post for a corner. Two more Brig substitutions saw Ewan Bange and Mark Yeates replaced by Ryan White and Matt Dudley.
Try as they might Brig were finding the FCUM back line a tough nut to crack as the home sides defence always seemed to get to the ball first as the visitors pressed for the equaliser. FCUM were still looking to add to their goal and only a goal-line clearance kept the score at 1-0.
With the game entering 3 minutes of added time Harvey Gregson watched on as his 20 yard shot flashed just wide of the post with the keeper diving across his goal. That was the last action of the match and the final whistle was greeted with a tremendous roar from the home support.
So, the unbeaten 8 match run is at an end. But Bamber Bridge can consider themselves unlucky not to be leaving Broadhurst Park with a point. A Frantic game with both sides giving their all and an entertaining if ultimately frustrating match for the Lancashire visitors.
Full time: FC United Of Manchester – 1 Bamber Bridge – 0
Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Thompson, Higham, Spooner (Capt.), Gourley, Gregson, Apter, Boyle, Bange, Yeates, Sinclair
Subs: Churchman, Green, Dudley, Carney, White
Att: 1,525
Saturday 4th September 2021
FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round.
West Allotment
Celtic - 2 v Bamber Bridge - 7
Bamber Bridge progressed in to the 2nd Qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon in what turned out to be a comfortable 7-2 Victory at the East Palmersville Sports Pavilion, home of West Allotment Celtic FC.
The full time scoreline doesn’t tell the whole story as at half time the hosts were holding their Lancashire visitors from 3 Leagues higher in The National Pyramid at 1-1. The half time “team talk” from Brig boss Jamie Milligan certainly hit the sweet spot as Brig hammered in 6 second half goals to claim the the £2,250 prize money and a place in the next round.
Having arrived at Druids Park, only to find we where at the wrong venue, the players had about 45 minutes to prepare for the match on arrival at Palmersville Sports Pavilion. The first half started however with Brig well on top and controlling the tempo of the match. Ewan Bange was first to test the home keeper in the 5th minute, controlling the ball on his chest before turning to strike a shot that the home keeper spilled before it was cleared for a corner. Moments later and Ewan Bange played the ball in to Ryan White who saw his shot saved again by the keeper. 2 minutes later and Ryan White again, this time from the right hand side of the penalty area curled a shot just wide of the far post.
Brig were in control and the flow of the game was all one way. Cameron Gourley headed just wide of the post before Brig took a deserved lead. Ryan White whipped in a cross from the left, the ball bounced on the 6 yard line and Matt Dudley reacted quickly to beat the keeper to the ball and head home.
The West Allotment Kop End
The expected onslaught however, failed to materialise as Bamber Bridge seemed to lower the tempo and the play became sloppy, allowing the home side back into the game. Sheldon Green shot wide just before the North Easterners grabbed an unlikely equaliser on 40 minutes. A shot form distance that initially looked to have taken a deflection curled away from Danny Roccia in the Brig goal and nestled in the back of the net. Brig were stunned and for the remainder of the half West Allotment Celtic, with their tails up pushed on looking for a 2nd. Without creating anything clear cut the hosts had done enough to show they were still right back in the tie. Half time 1-1
Bamber Bridge were back on the pitch a good 5 minutes before the home side came out for the 2nd period. The half time team Talk from Millie clearly must have hit the right notes as Brig dominated right from the kick off. With no changes made at half time, the onus was on the players on the pitch to raise their game, and they did just that. Ewan Bange was crowded out form getting in a shot before just moments later Brig retook the lead. A deep cross from the left was knocked back across the 6 yard line from beyond the back post and met by Craig Carney, whose deflected shot crept passed the keeper and rolled over the line.
This time Brig didn’t sit back on their lead but poured forward and just 5 minutes later made it 3-1 with a superb goal. Cameron Gourley sent Matt Thompson clear down the right wing with a superb pass, the Brig right Back whipped over a low cross and Ewan Bange met it first time sweeping a great shot into the bottom corner. Brig looked determined to make amends for the lacklustre end to the first half and Sheldon Green Made it 4-1 midway through the second half, meeting a Luke Higham free kick from the left and heading across the keeper in the bottom right hand corner of net.
Craig Carney made it 5-1 just a couple of minutes later as he glided into the penalty area, side stepped the keeper and slotted into the empty net. The home side’s spirits had dropped by this point and Bamber Bridge looked to capitalise.
Brig made 3 second half substitutions as firstly Rob Apter replaced Ryan White, followed by Chris Churchman and Danny Forbes coming on for Ewan Bange and Braydon Shaw. It was Rob Apter who made it 6-1 with a superb individual goal, picking the ball up some 40 yards from goal on the right, he drifted across the edge of the area side stepping 3 challenges before, drawing out the keeper and sliding the ball underneath him to find the bottom corner. No sooner had the home side kicked off again before Brig won the ball back played it out to the left and the low cross found Sheldon Green who slammed home his second and Bamber Bridge's 7th goal of the game from close range.
The home side to their credit continued to the end and scored the final goal of the match in the closing minutes. A shot initially blocked by Danny Roccia, but lifted over the keeper from the rebound.
Full time and a convincing 7-2 Victory for Bamber Bridge. It did however seem to need the half time intervention of the Brig Manager Jamie Milligan to get the performance back on track and claim the place in the 2nd Qualifying round of the FA Cup. We await the draw on Monday afternoon.
Full Time: West Allotment Celtic – 2 Bamber Bridge – 7
Bamber Bridge: Roccia, Thompson, Higham, Spooner (Capt.), Gourley, Carney, Green, Shaw, Bange, Dudley, White.
Subs: Forbes, Apter, Sinclair, Churchman.
Att: 173