Bamber Bridge started their 2021 /22 pre season with a friendly game at The Greenberfield Lane Stadium, home of Barnoldswick Town, or Barlick as the locals refer to them.

Heavy morning rain gave the superb looking pitch a welcome watering and the game started with the skies brightening. Brig had their two recent signings making their debuts, Cameron Gourley playing at the back with striker Jamie Thomas playing at the top end of the pitch.
The home side started very brightly, this was their 2nd pre-season game, having beaten Rimington FC 6-0 earlier this week. Brig took a few minutes to settle into the game and the first attack of note from the visitors saw a shot from Jamie Thomas fly well over the bar. This was clearly just a “sighter” as just moments later from roughly the same position 20 yards from goal, the Brig debutant hit a screamer into the bottom corner to give Brig the lead.

Bamber Bridge were now passing the ball around well, and almost doubled the lead 5 minutes later when a shot from the edge of the box from Mark Yeats flashed just wide of the post. The home side were also playing some nice football and looked dangerous particularly from set pieces, and from a corner on 29 minutes they equalised with a fine header by Ben Ashton.

Barlick came close to taking the lead on 35 minutes from another corner, this time the header just clearing the bar. Brig responded and saw both a shot and a headed chance cleared from danger by the Barlick rearguard.

Half time 1-1

The second half and Brig made several changes. With roll on roll off subs being permitted, it was all change during the second period with players coming off but returning to the field of play later in the half. The flow of the game was impacted by the changes and neither side created any clear cut chances in the opening exchanges of the half. Brig gradually got on top and large parts of the half were played around the Barnoldswick penalty area without really opening the hosts up.

Brig were awarded a penalty on 75 minutes, for a challenge just inside the penalty area. Jamie Thomas stepped up but the keeper dived to make a fine save. The home side surged forward following the save and moments later it was Brig stopper Danny Roccia who was forced into a diving save to keep out a shot from 15 yards. Callum Spooner then made a superb sliding block to prevent what looked like being a certain goal.

The game ended all square at 1-1. An entertaining and good work out for Bamber Bridge against a decent looking Barnoldswick Town Side.

Next up for Brig is the much anticipated home friendly against Preston North End at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium next Saturday, 10th July.