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Saturday 19th September 2026
Northern Premier League
Stockton Town - 5 Bamber
Bridge - 2
As away days go, strangely, considering a 5-2 defeat, this turned in to one of the best trips we’ve had for some considerable time. And that was entirely due to the Stockton Town supporters in the “Shed End”. The handful of Briggers there this afternoon would I’m sure all agree, The Anchors fans were second to none today.
As we walked past the shed stand prior to kick off to take our place behind the goal that Brig would be attacking, The home supporters invited us to stand with them, we accepted and the craic, banter and jokes began. The most hospitable group of fans we’ve encountered since our trips to South Shields several years ago. Reaffirming that The North Eastern Clubs are the most hospitable in The NPL.
The Town fans
suggested that on their current run of form, we would be leaving
with 3 points, The Briggers responded that despite them being bottom of
the table, we were under no such illusions of any
straight forward win. We all agreed we’d settle for a 0-0 draw.
Well, 15 minutes in
to the game Brig had started reasonably well. A couple of attempts on
goal and some half decent passing football. Then the wheels fell off.
When we concede, it’s rarely just one, and so it proved.
As Stockton Town Pressed Brig back into our own half, they won a free kick, 25 yards from goal. A thunderous free kick crashed off the underside of the bar and down, The yellow shirts reacted quickest and the ball was forced home, The Lino however had already signalled that ball had crossed the line from the free kick.
Jamie Allen came close to levelling the score minutes later when his low cross from the right evaded everyone and trundled out for a goal kick just beyond the far post. Brig were still competing well. Stockton Town, however now had their tails up, their fans assured us the novelty of being ahead wouldn’t last but they began to look the more likely to score next. A Cross in to the Brig box was met with a firm header that crashed back off the post.
As Stockton Town Pressed Brig back into our own half, they won a free kick, 25 yards from goal. A thunderous free kick crashed off the underside of the bar and down, The yellow shirts reacted quickest and the ball was forced home, The Lino however had already signalled that ball had crossed the line from the free kick.
Jamie Allen came close to levelling the score minutes later when his low cross from the right evaded everyone and trundled out for a goal kick just beyond the far post. Brig were still competing well. Stockton Town, however now had their tails up, their fans assured us the novelty of being ahead wouldn’t last but they began to look the more likely to score next. A Cross in to the Brig box was met with a firm header that crashed back off the post.
The Brig defence was
looking jittery and it was no real surprise when the 2nd
goal arrived on 41 minutes. A cross from the left seemed to catch the
Brig keeper in no mans land as he was unsure whether to “stick or
twist”, in the event the Anchors number 7 was left with a simple
header at the back post in to the empty net. Worse was to come just
two minutes later, but this time it was a superb goal. The number 7
again, found space on the edge of the box and rifled and unstoppable
shot into the roof of the net.
The
game had
had literally gone, in just a two minute spell and there simply was
never going to be a way back for Brig. 3-0 at the break, probably not
reflective of the half as a whole but another three conceded without
reply.
Hopes
of a second
half response from Brig who had made two half time substations, were
quickly extinguished. The hosts continued where they had left off and
Brig just couldn’t gain any kind of foothold or momentum. The
inevitable fourth goal duly arrived just past the hour. A low cross
into the box was met by the more reactive Yellow shirted side and the
ball was drilled home to make it 4-0.
At
this point in the
second half Brig had barelygot in to the
Stockton Town half let alone troubled their
keeper. The home side were coasting to victory. A host of
substitutions from both sides as we entered the last 20 minutes
seemed to benefit Brig, as at last, we began to attack. Brig were
also aided when around the 75 minute mark Stockton, who had used all
their subs suffered an injury that forced them to play the remaining
minutes of the match with ten men.
Suddenly on 80 minutes Brig pulled on back, a low ball across the box from the right was met by Billy Bould whose shot back towards the far post wrong footed the keeper and rolled over the line to at least give The Briggers something to cheer. Just one minute later and hopes of a very unlikely comeback were raised when Jack Baxter struck a shot from the edge of the box, the home keeper seemed to gather it comfortably but the ball squirmed from his grasp and trickled over the line. 4-2 and still 9 minutes plus stoppage time to play.
Suddenly on 80 minutes Brig pulled on back, a low ball across the box from the right was met by Billy Bould whose shot back towards the far post wrong footed the keeper and rolled over the line to at least give The Briggers something to cheer. Just one minute later and hopes of a very unlikely comeback were raised when Jack Baxter struck a shot from the edge of the box, the home keeper seemed to gather it comfortably but the ball squirmed from his grasp and trickled over the line. 4-2 and still 9 minutes plus stoppage time to play.
The
home supporters
feared the worst and suggested their side may be about to collapse.
Jack Baxter brought a fine save out of the home keeper with a good
shot from the edge of the box, but the game was finally put to bed
for Town on 88 minutes. The Brig keeper had raced from his goal to
clear a through ball, but he was beaten to the ball by The Yellows
No.16 who showed great composure to side step the Brig stopper, carry
the ball almost half the length of the pitch before crashing it home.
A
5-2 defeat and in
the end Brig can offer no complaints. Stockton Town overall had been
the better side. Brig had sadly lacked composure at both ends of the
pitch and shipped five more goals. 27 goals conceded in 10 League
games tells it’s own story to be fair. Brig are currently needing
to score three a game just to get a point.
The
players trudged
across to the small band of Briggers to show their appreciation. No
words were really needed and none spoken.
Back
in the
clubhouse and the Stockton Town Fans, far from gloating were once
again superb in their appreciation of the Brig supporters. It was
their day but they were hugely gracious in victory and it was really
appreciated by The Briggers. A thumping defeat but Non League
Football and the pleasure of mixing with opposition fans showed why
we’ll back on the bus next weekend in The FA Trophy at Guiseley.
Up The Brig.
