Bamber Bridge returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon with a superb 3-0 Victory at The Skuna Stadium, home of Atherton Collieries. If Brig had a bogey ground, this was it, and with 3 players suspended down the spine of the team in Maaca, Pondy and Daws, this made for an even sweeter three points as Brig recorded a victory at Atherton for the first time in, well….. A very long time !

A minutes silence prior to kick off was immaculately observed by both sets of supporters. Bamber Bridge, in all yellow, played down the slope in the first half. An early Brig raid down the right wing saw a superb Fin Sinclair-Smith cross whipped into the box, the home keeper hesitated but the Colls defence were able to clear the ball as Rhys Turner looked to get on the end of it.

Minutes later and it was Fin again, following a swift passing move down the left, the Brig striker hit a fierce shot from the edge of the box, the ball unfortunately striking team mate Rhys Turner and was hooked clear. On 17 minutes The Lancashire Visitors took the lead. Brilliant work fro Rhys Turner as he controlled and held the ball before laying it off to Fin on the left edge of the penalty area. A superb curling effort from the Brig striker sailed over the keeper and into the far corner of the net.

Atherton Colls almost responded immediately with a chance just on the edge of the box after the ball had been passed square, fortunately for The Briggers the effort went wide of the post.

Brig were digging in on a difficult pitch and Keeper Felix Goddard showed good composure as he came through a pack of players to punch clear a dangerous left wing cross. The home side started to build up the pressure on Brig as the half approached the final stages, but Brig were defending resolutely and looking to counter attack at every opportunity. A fine move down the right, found Fin, who whipped over an inviting low cross that flashed across the 6 yard box with Rhys Turner just inches away from connecting at the back post.

The second half began in similar fashion with Brig digging deep to keep the hosts at bay. An early shout from the home players and fans for a penalty was waved away, with referee awarding Bamber Bridge the free kick instead. But on 60 minutes The Colls were awarded a penalty as the referee spotted a handball in the area. Captain Danny Lafferty stepped up but his spot kick was superbly saved by “Felix The Cat” as he dived left to push the ball away. As turning points go, this was a big one, just one minute later Brig doubled their lead. Following a diagonal ball into the box, Rhys Turner took possession of the ball off the head of a Colls defender, strode into the area and calmly slotted it past the home keeper. From what looked like it may be 1-1 was just 60 seconds later a 2-0 lead for The Briggers. Football eh ??

The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the hosts as Brig began to control the tempo of the game. And on 70 minutes Isaac Sinclair making his comeback from injury rounded off a terrific display with a 3rd Brig goal, another fine passing move down the left, saw the ball played square to Isaac who took control on the edge of the area before side stepping the defender and slamming home a great strike into the back of the net.

With the game effectively won, Brig Manager Jamie Milligan made his first change as first Isaac was replaced by Rowan Roache, himself just returning from injury. Minutes later, Donovan Lescott then came on for Rhys Turner, before Sky Sinclair, another returnee from injury came on for Fin.

Brig played out the remaining minutes with relative ease to record a superb victory and get Bamber Bridge back on the winning trail after a difficult spell of games. A real gritty performance from Brig with some outstanding performances right through the team. Stand in Captain, Thommo looked composed at the back, Danny Forbes put in a solid display and Felix in goal with another penalty save along with. every other player on the pitch in a yellow shirt today. They all put in a great shift. The players walked off to great applause from the travelling Brig fans.

Next up is a Lancashire Cup Derby match away at Lancaster City on Tuesday evening, before two more difficult away trips to Ashton United and South Shields. Brig will have played seven out of eight games away from home after this spell of fixture and 4 away games on the bounce.

Full Time: Atherton Collieries – 0 Bamber Bridge – 3

Bamber Bridge: Goddard, Thomson ©, Green, Skinner, Forbes, Fisher, Sinclair-Smith, Churchman, Scarborough, Turner, Sinclair (I)

Substitutes: Roache, Lescott, Sinclair (S)

Attendance: 286