Bamber Bridge made a Tuesday night journey to Bower Fold, home of Stalybridge Celtic and were beaten by a late goal after dominating large parts of the match. The goal wasn’t without Controversy, as Brig players, fans and Management team all felt Chris Churchman was fouled in the build up to the goal. The referee allowed play to continue leaving Churchy slumped on the ground with what is thought to be a fracture to his ankle.

The match had started in frenetic fashion with ball pinging around the pitch, neither side able to settle in to any kind of pattern. As the half progressed It was the Lancashire visitors that started to play the more controlled football, However Felix Goddard had to be alert pushing a deflected shot around the post, The referee inexplicably awarding Brig the goal kick.

Brig had started to mount a spell of pressure, Nathan Pond chipped in a dangerous cross that was hammered out of the ground by a Celtic defender, from the throw in the ball was sent back into the box only to be hammered out of the ground at the other side of the pitch. With Brig gaining momentum it was no surprise when Isaac Sinclair burst into the penalty area on the right only to be tripped as he looked to cross. The referee pointed to the spot for a penalty kick. Isaac dusted himself down and took on the responsibility of taking the spot kick. The vocal Celtic keeper did his best to psyche out the Brig forward, bouncing on his line, shouting and thumping the crossbar. His plan worked as he dived left to push out the penalty and the ball was cleared.

The missed opportunity seemed to take the wind out of the sails of the visitors and game became very scrappy. Sheldon Green was fouled on the edge of the penalty area as the game approached half time. Brig took a short free kick, which was then chipped in the box, the referee decided he had seen an infringement and awarded the home side a free kick! Stalybridge attacked and won themselves a free-kick on the edge of the Brig penalty area, Felix Goddard comfortably saving the tame shot.

The second half began with Brig on top. Paul Dawson having replaced Isaac Sinclair at the break. It was Paul Dawson who got his head to a right wing cross, his downward header saved comfortably by the Celts keeper. Moments later Nathan Pond saw a deflected shot flash inches over the bar for a Brig corner. Pondy again came close minutes later when he looked to control a nicely chipped in cross from the right but was adjudged to have fouled the defender in the process.

Harry Scarborough was next to show for Brig as he fired across goal, from the left side of the penalty area, the ball running out of play at the far post, Harry then played in Fin Sinclair-Smith whose rising shot just cleared the bar. Bamber Bridge looked the more likely to break the deadlock and Nathan Pond was replaced by Noah Alabi as Brig tried to press home their dominance. Paul Dawson fired a shot over the bar before Brig made their final substitution, Wil Riding coming on for Sheldon Green.

With the match drifting to what looked to be a goalless draw and a well earned point for Brig, Stalybridge took the lead. What appeared to be a clear lunge on Chris Churcham by the left hand touchline was ignored by the officials leaving the Brig right back in a heap on the floor and clearly in some pain. Brig players appealed but the hosts played on and a shot from the edge of the box found the bottom corner to give the home side an undeserved lead.

Brig players and Management protested as Churchy received treatment. He clearly couldn’t carry on and was helped from the field. To rub salt into the wound, with Brig having already made three substitutions they had to play out the remaining minutes with 10 men.

The home side protected their lead well, looking to slow the play down at every available opportunity, not a criticism, Good game management and we would have done the same. The full time whistle came and Brig players again protested to the officials but to no avail. A 1-0 defeat for Bamber Bridge in a game where they were well on top for long periods but without really testing the home keeper. Penalty aside, the home keeper had a comfortable night.

On to the weekend and a break from NPL action as we visit old adversaries Prescott Cables from the NPL Division One West in the 2nd qualifying round of the FA Cup. A massive match and likely to be a really tough encounter.

Full Time: Stalybridge Celtic – 1 Bamber Bridge – 0

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

Substitutes: Dawson, Alabi, Riding

Att: 232