Bamber Bridge progressed to the 3^rd Qualifying round of The Emirates FA Cup for the 1^st time in 7 seasons with a 2-1 Victory at The Joseph Russell Stadium, home of Prescott Cables FC on Saturday afternoon.


A minute's silence in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II preceded the kick off and was impeccably observed by supporters of both clubs. Bamber Bridge started on the front foot and had the first strike at goal as Paul Dawson Paul Dawson controlled a forward pass on his chest and laid it off to Finns Sinclair-Smith, whose shot was comfortably held by the Cables keeper. Minutes later and Fin turned provider, having found space in the penalty area. Squared the ball to “Daws”, who had the ball nipped off his toe as he shaped to shoot.


A right wing cross looking for Nathan Pond saw the Brig No.6 bundled over in the box, Pondy claimed a penalty, the referee waved play on, probably the right decision to be fair. Prescot Cables were playing on the break and Felix (The Cat) Goddard had to be on his toes saving a shot from distance on 20 minutes. At the other end Fin tried his luck with a 20 yard shot, the home keeper saving comfortably.

Wil riding was tripped on the edge of the area giving Bamber Bridge a shooting opportunity from a free kick. Paul Dawson, who had a superb match struck a fierce shot over the wall, the Cables keeper leaping across his goal to punch the ball over the bar for a corner.

Brig were well on top and it came as no surprise when the Lancashire visitors took the lead on 25 minutes. A slick one touch passing move found Fin on the edge of the box, he threaded a sublime pass across the 6 yard box where Pondy was on hand to slam the ball home from 3 yards to give The Briggers a deserved lead.

Bamber Bridge were playing some terrific football as the first half wore on, a superb left wing move set Noah Alabi free and he whipped over a delicious low cross in to the path of Pondy, who despite his best efforts was unable to connect with the ball as it flashed across the goal. Fin then struck a rising shot inches over the bar after a superb back heeled pass from Paul Dawson sent him clear into the 18 yard box.


It looked only a matter of time before Brig added to their lead, Fin again unlucky as his goal bound shot was deflected wide of the post with the keeper completely wrong-footed. However, as long as it stayed just 1-0 the home side were still well in the game and right on half time they levelled the score.

A Deep free kick was met at the far post and a downward header forced Felix in to a fine diving save, pushing the ball around the post for a corner. The incoming corner was met with a shot that struck the bar, the ball was partially cleared, but returned and headed home from close range. Brig players claimed the ball hadn’t crossed the line but the goal stood and Cables were level on the stroke of half time. It could actually have been worse as just seconds before the half time whistle Felix Goddard made another fine save from a close range header.

The second half began with Brig again pushing forward, Noah Alabi bundled over has he tried to burst free in to the box, The Brig players again claimed for a spot kick but in truth it would have been very soft. The home side buoyed form their late first half equaliser looked a different proposition in the second half as the game became more of an even contest.


A Cables attack in th 55^th minute broke down on the edge of the Brig area and a long forward ball sent Fin clear, The Brig No.11 took the ball down superbly before striding in to the area and slotting the ball between the legs of the advancing keeper to give Bamber Bridge a 2-1 lead.

Noah Alabi then saw a glancing header form a corner drift agonisingly wide of the far post, before Felix Goddard again made a fine stop from a low drive as the game swung from end to end. Fin Sinclair- Smith was unlucky from a great driving run and dribble in to the area, with the keeper coming to close Fin down, he poked the ball past him only for it to be hooked clear off the line by a Cables defender. Noah Alabi then had a terrific run from the left, beating two defenders before looking to play in Fin, the pass being cleared as Fin was ready to pounce. Fin himself found himself free at the front post for a right wing cross, his header flashing just wide as |Brig looked to add to their lead.

Bamber Bridge made a change on 70 minutes, Sky Sinclair replacing Wil Riding for his long awaited competitive debut for Bamber Bridge, following recovery from a hamstring injury, sadly for Sky (and Brig), his debut lasted only 10 minutes before he was forced to leave the field for what is assumed to be a reoccurrence of his injury. New signing from Burnley, Kade Ratchford coming on to replace the unfortunate Brig defender.

Disaster almost struck for Brig on 80 minutes, A long forward ball saw Felix Goddard come racing out of his goal to meet the ball, the Prescot forward reached it first, stepped round Felix and chipped towards the unguarded goal, thankfully for Brig it was just too high and cleared the bar with very little to spare.

As the the game approached stoppage time the home side with nothing to lose pushed forward looking for the equaliser. The Brig backline handled the added 5 minutes superbly to see out the game and claim their place in the next round. A massive win for Brig in the context of the season as the prize money for progression rises round by round. The referee’s whistle brought a roar of delight from the travelling Briggers behind the goal. A really good performance and a terrific match to watch.

With no mid week game, Brig have a full week to prepare for getting back to NPL action next week when Belper Town will be the visitors to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.

Bamber Bridge made a Tuesday night journey to Bower Fold, home of Stalybridge Celtic and were beaten by a late goal after dominating large parts of the match. The goal wasn’t without Controversy, as Brig players, fans and Management team all felt Chris Churchman was fouled in the build up to the goal. The referee allowed play to continue leaving Churchy slumped on the ground with what is thought to be a fracture to his ankle.

The match had started in frenetic fashion with ball pinging around the pitch, neither side able to settle in to any kind of pattern. As the half progressed It was the Lancashire visitors that started to play the more controlled football, However Felix Goddard had to be alert pushing a deflected shot around the post, The referee inexplicably awarding Brig the goal kick.

Brig had started to mount a spell of pressure, Nathan Pond chipped in a dangerous cross that was hammered out of the ground by a Celtic defender, from the throw in the ball was sent back into the box only to be hammered out of the ground at the other side of the pitch. With Brig gaining momentum it was no surprise when Isaac Sinclair burst into the penalty area on the right only to be tripped as he looked to cross. The referee pointed to the spot for a penalty kick. Isaac dusted himself down and took on the responsibility of taking the spot kick. The vocal Celtic keeper did his best to psyche out the Brig forward, bouncing on his line, shouting and thumping the crossbar. His plan worked as he dived left to push out the penalty and the ball was cleared.


The missed opportunity seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the visitors and game became very scrappy. Sheldon Green was fouled on the edge of the penalty area as the game approached half time. Brig took a short free kick, which was then chipped in the box, the referee decided he had seen an infringement and awarded the home side a free kick! Stalybridge attacked and won themselves a free-kick on the edge of the Brig penalty area, Felix Goddard comfortably saving the tame shot.

The second half began with Brig on top. Paul Dawson having replaced Isaac Sinclair at the break. It was Paul Dawson who got his head to a right wing cross, his downward header saved comfortably by the Celts keeper. Moments later Nathan Pond saw a deflected shot flash inches over the bar for a Brig corner. Pondy again came close minutes later when he looked to control a nicely chipped in cross from the right but was adjudged to have fouled the defender in the process.


Harry Scarborough was next to show for Brig as he fired across goal, from the left side of the penalty area, the ball running out of play at the far post, Harry then played in Fin Sinclair-Smith whose rising shot just cleared the bar. Bamber Bridge looked the more likely to break the deadlock and Nathan Pond was replaced by Noah Alabi as Brig tried to press home their dominance. Paul Dawson fired a shot over the bar before Brig made their final substitution, Wil Riding coming on for Sheldon Green.

With the match drifting to what looked to be a goalless draw and a well earned point for Brig, Stalybridge took the lead. What appeared to be a clear lunge on Chris Churcham by the left hand touchline was ignored by the officials leaving the Brig right back in a heap on the floor and clearly in some pain. Brig players appealed but the hosts played on and a shot from the edge of the box found the bottom corner to give the home side an undeserved lead.


Brig players and Management protested as Churchy received treatment. He clearly couldn’t carry on and was helped from the field. To rub salt into the wound, with Brig having already made three substitutions they had to play out the remaining minutes with 10 men.

The home side protected their lead well, looking to slow the play down at every available opportunity, not a criticism, Good game management and we would have done the same. The full time whistle came and Brig players again protested to the officials but to no avail. A 1-0 defeat for Bamber Bridge in a game where they were well on top for long periods but without really testing the home keeper. Penalty aside, the home keeper had a comfortable night.


On to the weekend and a break from NPL action as we visit old adversaries Prescott Cables from the NPL Division One West in the 2^nd qualifying round of the FA Cup. A massive match and likely to be a really tough encounter.

Bamber Bridge made it through to the 2^nd qualifying round of the FA cup on Saturday afternoon with a 97^th minute winner from Fin Sinclair-Smith. The visitors Whickham FC had defended heroically and in truth it was a cruel way for them to go out of the cup. However, Bamber Bridge had dominated for almost the whole game and were worthy winners.

Brig fielded the same starting 11 that had secured 3 points at Guiseley on Bank Holiday Monday. The visitors, Whickham FC from Gateshead in the North East where to prove a tough nut to crack. From the start Brig were on top but the Whickham defence limited The Lancashire side to shots from distance in the opening half. Paul Dawson saw a 25 yard shot fly wide of the upright before Fin Sinclair- Smith struck a goal-bound 20 yard shot the at the visiting keeper palmed down comfortably.

Sheldon Green had the next Brig effort, receiving the ball with his back to goal, he turned inside creating space for himself but his shot cleared the bar. A well worked corner routine from Brig saw the ball in the back of the net, but the celebration was cut short at the sight of the Linesman's flag raised for offside.

The visiting keeper then made a fine diving save as he stopped another Paul Dawson shot, low to his right. Whickham were defending superbly and working tirelessly as they kept Brig at arms left for the remainder of the first half.

The second half started as the first had ended with Bamber Bridge pressing and probing, looking to open up the resolute Whickham defence. Isaac Sinclair was introduced replacing Noah Alabi. A Fin Sinclair-Smith powerful shot from 18 yards flashed just inches wide of the post before Paul Dawson connected on the volley with a diagonal ball to the far post, again the Whickham keeper dived bravely to block the shot.

Nathan Pond picked up a leg injury with the game heading towards the last 20 minutes and was replaced by new signing Rene Osie Kofie. Moments later and the keeper pulled of another great save, this time diving full length to his right to push away a terrific volley from Chris Churchman that looked destined to find the back of the net.

Paul Dawson found the net with a powerful downward header but once again was frustrated to find the flag raised for offside. Macca then struck a 30 yard shot over the bar as it began to look increasingly like the visitors would be taking Bamber Bridge back up to Gateshead for a reply on Tuesday evening. Arron Skinner cut inside from the left but his shot went high and wide. Brig made their final substitution as Wil Riding came on to replace Sheldon Green.


With the game well into stoppage time and approaching 97 minutes Brig found a way through. A Diagonal ball from the right was met on the Volley by Fin, his low controlled shot flashing passed the diving Whickham keeper and in to the back of the net. Fin took off towards the corner flag in celebration, followed by his ecstatic team mates.

Less than a minute later the referee blew the full time whistle and Brig were through to the next round. Massive credit though to our visitors who put in an almighty effort only to be beaten with essentially the last kick of the match. The keeper received a great ovation from the Brig fans and it was fully deserved.

So, no long journey to the North East for Brig this coming Tuesday, instead we host Marine in a Northern Premier League fixture.

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