Bamber Bridge recorded a 3-1 Victory in their 3rd Pre-season fixture against Skelmersdale United, played behind closed doors at the JMO Sports Park.

On a very warm August evening and on a 3g pitch Brig were made to work very hard for their win in an entertaining and competitive match. Bamber Bridge took the lead in only the 3rd minute, a foul on the left hand edge of the penalty area gave Macaulay Wilson the chance to test the keeper. Macca did better than that, curling a sublime free kick over the ball and into the top corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. In the 10th minute, Brigs debut keeper, Hayden Hunt pulled off a stunning reflex save following a Skem corner, hooking the ball of the line from a point blank effort.

But it was Bamber Bridge who continued to press in the early stages and Matt Dudley almost doubled the score with a snap shot from 10 yards after a clever dummy from Danny Forbes. The Skem keeper making a fine save. Minutes later Rowan Roache found space in the area following a terrific one touch passing move but his shot somehow went wide of the target from close range. Roache then saw a 25 yard piledriver clear the bar following a solo run through the middle of the pitch.

Bamber Bridge continued to create chances but the home side were beginning to come in to the game and came close on the half hour with a whistling shot from the edge of the area that just cleared the bar. The Skelmersdale equaliser arrived in the 45th minute, Brig gave away possession allowing a through ball to be played to the home striker who ran on and calmly slotted the ball under the Brig keeper.

Bamber Bridge made 2 changes at the start of the 2nd half with Joe Booth and A Trialist replacing Churchy and Rowan Roache. But it was the home side who started the half better and for 15 minutes pinned the visitors back. A volleyed effort over the bar from a corner, was followed a good chance that was fired wide from close range. Another superb 25 yard volley was well saved and held by Hunt in the Brig goal.

The Lancashire side began to get back into the game, passing the ball around well on the 3g carpet. A right wing cross from Oscar Radcliffe was eventually cleared for a corner by the home defence before A Trialist fired in a fierce drive following a flowing move, the keeper parrying the shot away for another corner. Brig were now back in control of the match and re-took the lead on 75 minutes. Another superb ball into the box from Oscar Radcliffe from the right wing was stabbed home from close range by Chris Marlow.

Brig were now well on top again, but were almost caught out in the 80th minute when a Skelmersdale effort cannoned back off the crossbar. At the other end, Rowan Roache, back on the pitch due to the roll on roll substitutions, cut in from the left before striking a shot narrowly wide. Brig then made the game safe with 5 minutes remaining. Roache whipped in a low cross from the left that found A Trialist unmarked at the back post and he slammed the ball in to the empty net.

Brig looked to get Jack Paynter onto the pitch in the remaining minutes for his debut, but the referee blew the full time whistle as he waited to come on. Full time and a confidence boosting 3-1 victory. Some fine passing football from Brig, who will continue their pre-season preparations this weekend with another behind closed doors away fixture.

Full Time: Skelmersdale United 1 – Bamber Bridge – 3

Bamber Bridge: Hunt, Wilson, Lawlor, Radcliffe, Marlow, Churchman, Thommason, Forbes, Dudley, Roache

Subs: Booth, Burgess, Trialist , Paynter