Bamber Bridge’s nine match unbeaten run came to an end in a scrappy encounter at the Neuven Stadium in Radcliffe on Saturday afternoon. A twelfth minute sending off for Nathan Pond for what the referee saw as a dangerous tackle, was the difference in the end as two goals in the final 15 minutes of the match took all three points for Boro.

Brig had made one change to the starting eleven from Last weekends drawn fixture with Gainsborough Trinity, Rhys Tuner coming in for Harry Scarborough, who had been called back to his parent club, Chorley, earlier in the week. The match kicked off with Bamber Bridge winning the toss and opting to play up the slope in the first half. The first opportunity of the game came for the hosts though, A left wing corner met at the far post but the shot sailed over the bar.

In the 5th minute, a long ball up field was chased down by Fin Sinclair-Smith but the home keeper reacted sharply and raced from his goal to get to the ball just ahead of Fin to clear the danger. Luke Mariette then took a knock and despite trying to carry on after receiving treatment, had to leave the field to be replaced by Paul Dawson.

The game changed considerably in the twelfth minute, a good break down the right wing by Paul Dawson had seen the Brig forward step inside before laying the ball square to Connor Stanley, who struck a fierce shot, that unfortunately hit Fin in the penalty area allowing the ball to be hooked clear. From the clearance Nathan Pond lunged in to a tackle close to the touch line, the referee deemed it to be dangerous play, produced the red card and sent Pondy for an early bath. With Brig now down to ten men and with some 75 minutes to play the game plan had to change as The Lancashire side were forced defend for large periods of the match.

Luke Hutchinson in the Brig goal who was to have a busy match made a fine save on twenty minutes saving with his legs from a low goal bound effort. Five minutes later and Bamber Bridge were almost gifted an equaliser, a back pass to the home keeper was completely mishit by the home stopper as he tried to clear up field, the ball scooping up off his foot and rolling just past the post for a corner. The keeper redeemed himself by claiming the ball high in his 6 yard box from the corner kick.

The home side were soon back on the offensive and a shot from the left following a fine weaving run was inches wide as it flew into the side netting. Boro were forced in to a change themselves on 25 minutes with ex Brigger Ewan Bange taking to the field. The hosts continued to enjoy the bulk of possession and a headed chance was deflected over for a corner before a second header cleared the bar by inches.

Luke Hutchinson was again involved with the half coming to a close, saving well from a low shot coming from the right edge of the penalty area. The half ended with a Brig corner, played back to Paul Dawson who struck it first time from the edge of the box, the shot was blocked and cleared. The referee deciding that that was enough for the first half.

The second half saw brig attacking down the slope with a stiff wind at their backs. But it was the hosts with the first chance, A deep cross from the left was was headed goalwards at the back post but well claimed by Luke in the Brig goal. A Brig free kick 30 yards from goal gave Fin the opportunity to test the home keeper, his low drive saved well by the keeper as he dived to his right to gather the ball. Fin had another good effort on goal minutes later, this time cutting inside from the left and unleashing a powerful drive, the home keeper again was well placed to make a comfortable save.

Brig were playing well and growing in confidence. A second substitution saw Rhys Turner replaced by Donovan Lescott. The hosts were soon to up the pressure again however as they tried to drive home their extra man advantage. Brig were defending with all they had, blocking shots and closing down the Radcliffe attacks. However, in the 76th minute the home side eventually took the lead with a goal made in Bamber Bridge !!. Jake Thompson, another ex Brigger crossed from the right to find Ewan Bange who powered home a fine header from close range giving Luke Hutchinson no chance.

Five minutes later and Boro opted to substitute the substitute as Bange was replaced with the hosts looking to keep a tight hold on their lead. That lead was doubled in the 86th minute when Jake Thompson was sent clear, the striker calmly rounding Luke Hutchinson before knocking the ball into the empty net. It could have been three but for another fine save from Luke, diving to his right to fingertip the ball away fro a corner.

Five minutes of stoppage time were added which the hosts comfortably saw out to claim the three points. How different things would have been had it remained eleven against eleven we’ll never know. But the players had all put in a real shift and despite the defeat, can look back on a fine nine match unbeaten run and look forward to starting another one, begining next weekend when Atherton Collieries will be the visitors to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.

Full Time: Radcliffe FC – 2 Bamber Bridge – 0

Bamber Bridge: Hutchinson, Green, Skinner, Thomson, Pond, Wilson (C), Sinclair (I), Mariette, Turner, Stanley, Sinclair-Smith

Substitutes: Robbins, Dawson, Churchman, Lescott, Sinclair (S)

Attendance. 786