Bamber Bridge followed up Saturdays Victory against FCUM with an equally impressive display at Nethermoor Park, home of Guiseley AFC on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon. The Briggers coming away with all 3 points thanks to a Nathan Pond goal midway through the second half.

Right from the kick off Brig looked to be full of running and playing with the confidence of Saturdays victory. Bamber Bridge carved out the first opportunity of the game when a free-kick midway into the Guiseley Half found the head of Nathan Pond at the far post, Pondy headed the ball back across goal where Paul Dawson met it with an acrobatic volley, the ball whistling just over the bar.

The home side also looked up for the challenge and Felix Goddard in the Brig goal had to be alert as he climbed well to claim a free kick from the right side of the penalty area. The next chance for the visitors came from Fin Sinclair-Smith, who received the ball wide on the left of the box, his first time goal-bound shot was deflected by the foot of a defender and fell kindly for the home keeper.

Paul Dawson then tried his luck from a a free kick 22 yards from goal after he had been fouled on the edge of the penalty area, The Brig striker struck a curling low shot around the wall but the keeper was well placed and made a comfortable save. By this stage, mid way through the half, the Lancashire side were enjoying a good spell of pressure and pushing the hosts back. Guiseley always offered a threat however and Brig had to thank Captain, Macaulay Wilson for a terrific interception as he stopped a breakaway with a superbly timed tackle.

Another Free kick for Bamber Bridge 25 yards out saw Fin try his luck, his fierce effort missing the target by just inches. Brig were really zipping the ball around the excellent looking pitch, a move down the right wing ended when the keeper dived well to claim a low driven cross from Fin.

The half ended with the sides all square at 0-0. An entertaining 45 minutes with Brig having played the better football.

No changes as the second half got under way and Brig continued where they had left off. Pondy flicked on a dangerous ball into the 6 yard box that was hooked clear, before Matt Thomson sailed a deep cross over from the right touchline that dropped out of play just beyond the far post. Fin then won the ball off a defender on the right of goal, he whipped over a cross to Paul Dawson who saw his shot blocked, the ball falling to Dave Perkins who fired just over the bar.

Brig were getting well on top but had a lucky escape minutes later when a long ball forward had Felix Goddard racing from his goal to clear, The Brig keeper completely missed his kick but fortunately the ball had enough pace to roll out of play before the Guiseley striker could reach it. From the resulting goal kick and with an hour gone, Brig took the lead, Sheldon Green taking possession just inside the Guiseley half and threading a superb pass down the channel for Fin Sinclair-Smith, Fin raced on to the ball leaving the defender in his tracks and steered across a superbly timed low ball in the path of Pondy who gleefully slammed the ball into the back of the net from 4 yards out to give Bamber Bridge a deserved lead.

5 minutes later Brig made two changes with Fin and Noah Alabi making way for Isaac Sinclair and debutant Marley Blair, the later having signed just last night, Marley had been playing his football in Iceland and previosly been at the Academeys of both Liverpool and Burnley

As the 2nd half moved towards the last 15 minutes, the home side were starting to build up a head of steam as they went in search of the equaliser, a shot following a corner flashing over the bar. With time ticking on, Brig were being pushed back but defended resolutely. Chris Churchman making a great interception to clear from a right wing cross as the home striker shaped to shoot. Felix then climbed well to punch away from a corner as the hosts piled on the pressure.

Two dangerous looking free-kicks were defended by Brig as the referee indicated 7 additional minutes. A series of corners were cleared by Brig before a free kick was blocked brilliantly by the Brig defensive wall. 98 minutes had elapsed before the referee brought proceedings to close much to the delight of the Brig fans, players and staff alike.

The players came over to take the applause of the visiting fans who responded with a roar of approval to acknowledge a terrific performance and 3 very well earned points.

Bamber Bridge take a break from League action next weekend when the FA Cup comes along. Brig having a home tie in the first qualifying round against Northern League Wickham FC.

Full Time: Guiseley AFC – 0 Bamber Bridge – 1

Bamber Bridge: Goddard, Churchman, Skinner, Thomson, Wilson ©, Pond, Green, Perkins, Dawson, Sinclair-Smith, Alabi

Substitutes: Daly, Hoyle, Riding, Blair, Sinclair.

Att: 627