Bamber Bridge continued their pre-season warm up this afternoon at “The Recycling Lives Ground”, home of Longridge Town. A terrific place to watch football and the ground seems to have improved every time we visit. This afternoon before kick off the club opened their new Melling 5 Suite, in tribute to former Captain of The Ridge, and also ex Bamber Bridge player, George Melling who sadly passed away earlier this year. A fitting tribute and warmly received by the 245 supporters in the ground.

Bamber Bridge started very brightly in the glorious sunshine. Feilding no fewer than 4 trialists in the starting 11 and 4 more on the bench, it was the visitors who mounted the early pressure. Two early shots where blocked before a quick free kick sent Fin Sinclair Smith free down the left. He turned the full back and whipped in a superb cross that was headed clear as the Brig forwards look set to pounce. At the other end Paul Turner fired in a shot for The Ridge, but Brig Keeper, Felix (The Cat), dived well to make a fine save.

Brig broke the deadlock on 23 minutes, A slip from the centre half allowed Fin to pinch the ball, stride forward and slot the ball passed the advancing ex Brig keeper James Aspinall. The second goal arrived just 5 minutes later. Nathan Pond chased a ball down the left, beat the full back to the ball and pulled it back across the area to Fin, who controlled the ball then slammed it home from 12 yards.

The home side then forced Felix into another fine save as he charged out to block a shot, turning it behind for a corner. Fin then almost grabbed a first half hat trick as again he found himself clear in front of goal, but his chipped effort cleared the bar. Aspinall then mad a fabulous diving save to push a shot from Trialist “C” on to the crossbar. Pondy then brought another good save out of the home keeper as Brig began to dominate. The 3rd Brig goal soon arrived however, when on 40 minutes, Aaron Skinner tapped home from close range following a great left sided ball across the box from Trialist C.

Longridge pulled a goal back on 43 mins when Paul Turner turned a right wing cross in to the back of the net from close range. But just 1 minute later, It was 4-1 as Trialist D smashed home a trademark 20 yard piledriver. Moments later and the referee blew the half time whistle with Brig comfortably 3 goals ahead.

A raft of second half substitutions where made by both sides but the pattern continued and just 7 minutes in to the 2nd half Brig made it five. Fin had just seen his effort saved again by Aspinall, but the ball was returned and Matt Thomson picked up possession around the penalty spot area and smashed an unstoppable shot in to the roof of the net. Bamber Bridge where piling on the pressure at this stage of the match and creating chance after chance. A swift passing move down the right wing ended with a fine Thommo shot that was well blocked, then Pondy was just inches away from connecting at the back post a cross from a right wing cross.

The Fin – Aspinall duel continued with the keeper once again saving well from the Brig striker as he broke free. Fin had the last laugh however, completing his hat trick and smashing home a great goal and 6th for Brig from the edge of the penalty area in the 70th minute.

With the game well won, Brig began sweeping the ball around the pitch, playing some neat passing football. Chances at either end dried up in the closing stages, unsurprising in what was a very warm day to watch football, never mind play it!!

The last action of the match and once again it was Fin v Aspinall, with The ex Brig stopper winning the final battle. The Ridge keeper had an excellent game despite conceding six and was the best player on view in the Longridge Town side. Fin Sinclair Smith will be delighted to have scored 3 but on another day could have had six or seven. His all round performance today was first class.

The referee’s full time whistle ended the contest moments after that last Aspinall save. A really good afternoon for Bamber Bridge and a very enjoyable afternoon at a superb and friendly Longridge Town.

Full Time: Longridge Town – 1 Bamber Bridge – 6