What a strange match, it seems churlish to suggest that Bamber Bridge were the better team following a 3-0 defeat, but on the balance of play, the result most definitely flattered Ashton United. Having said that, if you fail to take your chances and the opposition take theirs, then you pretty much end up with what you deserve. For all the neat approach play from Brig, there was simply no end product. By contrast The Robins were clinical in front of goal and scored with pretty much every opportunity they created.

On a wet and soft but playable pitch, Brig started, as they often do, on the front foot and probably should have taken the lead in the 3rd minute. A deep free kick from the right was head back across goal at the back post and landed at the feet of Harry Scarborough 6 yards out, before he could sort his feet out, the challenge came in and the chance was gone, the ball rolling wide of the post for a goal kick. Minutes later and another sweeping move down the right saw a Fin Cross flicked on by Rhys Turner but again the home defenders were first to react and clear the danger.

Harry Scarborough then tried a curling effort from the edge of the box, the shot lacked venom and the home keeper made a comfortable, if overly spectacular diving save. Brig were then dealt a blow in the 11th minute, Matt Thomson injured in an accidental challenge and had to be replaced. Danny Forbes coming on to replace him.

Bamber Bridge were still well on top as the game approached the half hour point, Fin again causing problems for the hosts as he controlled a bouncing ball superbly before cutting into the penalty box from the left, he cut the ball square but again the home defence were there first and the ball was thumped clear. With The Robins still to threaten the Brig goal, another sweeping move this time down the left was cleared for a corner at the near post, the keeper then punching bravely through a crowd of players to clear the corner.

It looked just a matter of time before The Lancashire visitors would open the scoring, Harry Scarborough drilling in another low shot which the keeper at full stretch, diving to his left punched clear. However as we’ve already alluded to, Football will kick you in the proverbials if you don’t the chances that come your way and that happened in the 41st minute. Young PNE loanee Dana Amaral making his Ashton United, picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and smashed home an unstoppable shot, giving Felix Goddard in the Brig goal no chance. This was effectively the first attempt on goal of any note from the home side.

Brig were then forced into a 2nd change just before half time as Rhys Turner limped off, to be replaced by Donovan Lescott. Brig ended the half with another opportunity, Danny Forbes holding up the ball in the penalty area before laying it back to Harry Scarborough, who again struck it well only to see a deflection take it straight into the arms of the grateful keeper.

The 2nd half began with a 3rd Brig change due to another injury, Max Fisher replaced by Sky Sinclair. Straight from the kick off Brig had another chance, this time Aaron Skinner turning well in the area but his powerful shot cleared the crossbar.

When it’s not going your way, it really isn’t and on their first attacking sortie of the 2nd half The Robins doubled their lead. Brig failed to deal with a ball into the box and it was smashed in to the back of the net from close range. Two chances and two goals for the hosts.

Brig continued to push forward and another Fin run down the left, he cut across the defender in to the box and cut the ball back to Isaac who struck it well, the keeper again making a good save as he parried the ball into the air, Donovan Lescott looked odds on to nod the rebound home but his header from 4 yards went wide of the post. A diving header from Harry Scarborough from a left wing cross from Aaron Skinner then flashed across goal and inches wide of the far post. At this point it certainly felt like it was “just one of those days”.

To rub salt into the wounds, From the resulting goal kick Ashton United made it 3-0 with Captain Michael Brewster grabbing his second goal of the game and ending any hope Brig had of getting something from the match.

The remainder of the half was played out with both sides fully aware of the final outcome, with no further goalmouth action. The full time whistle came with the home side recording a 3-0 Victory in a match, that on chances created, the visitors could and should have taken something from.

It doesn’t get any easier as Brig must now make the what seems a Monthly Tuesday night trip to the North East, this time to face title favourites South Shields. This will end a run of 6 away games out of 7 before Bamber Bridge can enjoy the comforts of home with the visit of Matlock Town next weekend.

Full Time: Ashton United – 3 Bamber Bridge – 0

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

Substitutes: Forbes, Lescott, Roache, Alabi, Sinclair (S)