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A view from The Terraces
by Alan Bateson
Easter Monday 21st April
2025
Northern Premier League
Lancaster City
– 1 Bamber Bridge – 4 
"Some people are on the
pitch, they think it’s all over.....It is now"... Once famously announced by
commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme in 1966. Actually it over, was, even before
a ball was kicked at The Giant Axe on Easter Monday afternoon, but
Bamber Bridge were not here just to make up the numbers. The team put
in another superb effort to come away with a fine 4-1 victory in the
Lancashire Derby and guarantee survival in The NPL
Up to to the previous day,
Brig had known that a single point would have been enough to avoid
relegation following a great run of results towards the end of a very
difficult season on and off the pitch. However, news emerged on
Easter Sunday that relegation rivals Matlock Town were due to
receive a 3 point reduction following their recent away win at Hyde
Utd, were it seems due to an administration error they had an
ineligible player on the field.
The Bamber Bridge team did not want this to be seen as the sole reason we stayed up in The Northern Premier League and were looking to gain at least the single point that would have rendered the Matlock points reduction meaningless.
Brig started the match in lively fashion and showed their attacking intent from the start. Winning an early corner which led to a goalmouth scramble before the ball was cleared.. The Dolly Blues however, were also keen to end the season on a high and created the first real chance of the game. Charlie Casper in goal for Brig, who has been a revelation since he arrived on loan from Burnley two months ago made a fine diving save to keep out a powerful header.
The Bamber Bridge team did not want this to be seen as the sole reason we stayed up in The Northern Premier League and were looking to gain at least the single point that would have rendered the Matlock points reduction meaningless.
Brig started the match in lively fashion and showed their attacking intent from the start. Winning an early corner which led to a goalmouth scramble before the ball was cleared.. The Dolly Blues however, were also keen to end the season on a high and created the first real chance of the game. Charlie Casper in goal for Brig, who has been a revelation since he arrived on loan from Burnley two months ago made a fine diving save to keep out a powerful header.
The Burnley loanee was in
action again just moments later punching away a dangerous looking
Lancaster free kick. Brig roared to the opposite end and Pottsy
played a terrific ball into the path of Robbie Clearly who saw his
low goal-bound shot well saved by the home keeper. Charlie Casper was
then again involved for Brig seconds before the visitors from just
down the M6 took the lead.
It was the first of four terrific team goals as Robbie Cleary cut in from the left and rolled it square to Pottsy who fired low into the bottom corner. Charlie Casper once again made fine save on the half hour before Brig doubled their advantage just a minute later. Another swift break led to Robbie Clearly knocking the ball square to Mark Cullen who almost burst the net from 10 yards, the home keeper saved the first effort but Cullen absolutely rifled home the rebound. Fair to say that “Culls” enjoyed that goal.
It was the first of four terrific team goals as Robbie Cleary cut in from the left and rolled it square to Pottsy who fired low into the bottom corner. Charlie Casper once again made fine save on the half hour before Brig doubled their advantage just a minute later. Another swift break led to Robbie Clearly knocking the ball square to Mark Cullen who almost burst the net from 10 yards, the home keeper saved the first effort but Cullen absolutely rifled home the rebound. Fair to say that “Culls” enjoyed that goal.
Brig
were on fire and made it three almost straight away, as Raf Cirino
burst down the right wing cut into the box and played it square for
Ewan Bange to sweep it low into the bottom corner for his 7th
goal since returning to Brig on loan. Brig safely negotiated the
remainder of the half before leaving the pitch to a great ovation
from the travelling Briggers in a healthy 628 crowd.
The Dolly Blues came out of the traps flying in the second half and reduced the deficit within a minute as a cross to the far post was turned in by the home striker. Brig responded well to subdue any hopes of a Lancaster City revival as they kept their hosts at arms length whilst still looking dangerous on the break.
Michael Potts and Mark Cullen made way for Lewis Hey and Patrick Jarrett as Brig looked to consolidate and take the sting out of the game. The changes worked well as Brig went on to restore their three goal advantage with another fine team goal. Robbie Clearly found Ewan Bange on the right and the Brig centre forward whipped over a superb cross that was met with a powerful downward header by Lewis Hey that bounced up off turf and flew into the back of the net.
It was almost five, just minutes later when Ewan Bange was picked out in the penalty area but the home keeper made a great blocking save to deny Bangey. Lewis Pilgrim and Billy Bould came on for the last 15 minutes and Lewis was unlucky not to add to the scoreline as he saw one shot blocked and another clear the crossbar.
Brig controlled the final stages of the game to run out comfortable 4-1 winners and guarantee survival without the help of any points deduction from Matlock Town. The players and staff celebrated the full time whistle with the Brig fans who gave them a brilliant ovation.
The Dolly Blues came out of the traps flying in the second half and reduced the deficit within a minute as a cross to the far post was turned in by the home striker. Brig responded well to subdue any hopes of a Lancaster City revival as they kept their hosts at arms length whilst still looking dangerous on the break.
Michael Potts and Mark Cullen made way for Lewis Hey and Patrick Jarrett as Brig looked to consolidate and take the sting out of the game. The changes worked well as Brig went on to restore their three goal advantage with another fine team goal. Robbie Clearly found Ewan Bange on the right and the Brig centre forward whipped over a superb cross that was met with a powerful downward header by Lewis Hey that bounced up off turf and flew into the back of the net.
It was almost five, just minutes later when Ewan Bange was picked out in the penalty area but the home keeper made a great blocking save to deny Bangey. Lewis Pilgrim and Billy Bould came on for the last 15 minutes and Lewis was unlucky not to add to the scoreline as he saw one shot blocked and another clear the crossbar.
Brig controlled the final stages of the game to run out comfortable 4-1 winners and guarantee survival without the help of any points deduction from Matlock Town. The players and staff celebrated the full time whistle with the Brig fans who gave them a brilliant ovation.
One
more game to play this season and its at home against Ilkeston Town
this weekend. Nothing is at stake, with Ilkeston Town just missing
out on the play off’s, but its also the annual Bamber Bridge beer
and Gin festival. The visiting fans, I believe are coming in fancy
dress, so an enjoyable afternoon is on the cards.
"We are staying up"
"We are staying up"
Saturday 12th April 2025
Northern Premier League
Jazzy Shirt Day
Worksop Town – 0 Bamber Bridge – 1
The
annual and now traditional Bamber Bridge “Jazzy shirt Day” was
held at The Windsor Foodservice Stadium this season, home of
Promotion chasing Worksop Town FC. And what a fine array of both
Jazzy and Ridiculously good shirts and outfits were on display from
the Briggers. Our hosts in Worksop were equally impressed with the
efforts and bad taste of the Bamber Bridge supporters.
Warm and sunny, so shorts were the order of the day for many. Pineapple shaped sun glasses, Flamingo’s a plenty and some colourful head wear were in abundance. A few pre match drinks in the friendly clubhouse with plenty of smiles, laughs and words of admiration from our hosts, certainly set the tone for the afternoon.
Flamingo Man in high spirits before he became deflated
Now as well as the fun of the day, there was also a massively important game for Bamber Bridge in the fight against relegation. An incredibly difficult looking fixture away against The Tigers of Worksop Town, sat in second place in the NPL table, and they had won their last five games on their home pitch. But Brig turned up in resilient style, matched and bettered their opponents on the day, and thanks to a sublime Jack Baxter free kick that flew into the top corner of the net, we came away with a fabulous and much deserved victory and 3 massive points. Particularly in the context that our relegation rivals, Matlock Town, Whitby Town and Lancaster City all also won on the day as well.
Colourfull Briggers....and Beer !! Photo courtesy of Ruth Hornby
Seth Boardman will be writing the match report for this fine win, and that will be available online and also in the match programme for this weekends home fixture against another play off chasing side, Ashton Utd.
Gets about, that Flamingo doesn't he? Apparently his name is.. (was)...Fernando
Back in the club house after
the superb victory, spirits were certainly high. The Worksop
supporters, to a man (and woman) were all magnanimous in defeat and despite
their own disappointment were all in agreement that the better team
had won on the day. The home club were also happy to judge the Jazzy
shirt day ensemble and awarded the first prize to Heather for here
bright yellow outfit. Flamingo man, Adam Lickley, far from being deflated,
unlike his inflatable friend, took it good spirts that he didn’t
make the top four despite being the pre match favourite.
Briggers in Colourfull Mood
Churchy’s celebratory slide tackle after the full time whistle on the stricken Flamingo who had somehow managed to invade the pitch, looks likely to have put our Pink Inflatable Friend out of action, or at least in need of a very large Elastoplast.
That deflated look when the Favourite doesn't even make 4th place
The Prize winners- Photo courtesy of Ruth Hornby
What a win. what a day --- #UpTheBrig - Photos courtesy of Ruth Hornby
Back on the coach, high spirits on offer from Players, Coaches and fans alike, a quick stop off at Asda for few more travel refreshments and a pleasant journey home. What a superb day following Bamber Bridge FC. Roll on next weekend.
Briggers Ready for the trip to Nottinghamshire (Photo courtesy of Ruth Hornby
Warm and sunny, so shorts were the order of the day for many. Pineapple shaped sun glasses, Flamingo’s a plenty and some colourful head wear were in abundance. A few pre match drinks in the friendly clubhouse with plenty of smiles, laughs and words of admiration from our hosts, certainly set the tone for the afternoon.
Flamingo Man in high spirits before he became deflated
Now as well as the fun of the day, there was also a massively important game for Bamber Bridge in the fight against relegation. An incredibly difficult looking fixture away against The Tigers of Worksop Town, sat in second place in the NPL table, and they had won their last five games on their home pitch. But Brig turned up in resilient style, matched and bettered their opponents on the day, and thanks to a sublime Jack Baxter free kick that flew into the top corner of the net, we came away with a fabulous and much deserved victory and 3 massive points. Particularly in the context that our relegation rivals, Matlock Town, Whitby Town and Lancaster City all also won on the day as well.
Colourfull Briggers....and Beer !! Photo courtesy of Ruth Hornby
Seth Boardman will be writing the match report for this fine win, and that will be available online and also in the match programme for this weekends home fixture against another play off chasing side, Ashton Utd.
Gets about, that Flamingo doesn't he? Apparently his name is.. (was)...Fernando
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 3 Dubious looking characters !! |  |
Churchy’s celebratory slide tackle after the full time whistle on the stricken Flamingo who had somehow managed to invade the pitch, looks likely to have put our Pink Inflatable Friend out of action, or at least in need of a very large Elastoplast.
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 Fernando --- The End.....Photos courtesy of Ruth Hornby |
That deflated look when the Favourite doesn't even make 4th place
The Prize winners- Photo courtesy of Ruth Hornby
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What a win. what a day --- #UpTheBrig - Photos courtesy of Ruth Hornby
Back on the coach, high spirits on offer from Players, Coaches and fans alike, a quick stop off at Asda for few more travel refreshments and a pleasant journey home. What a superb day following Bamber Bridge FC. Roll on next weekend.
