Bamber Bridge took all 3 points at the Swansway Group Stadium, home of Nantwich Town with an absolute “Worldie” from Fin Sinclair-Smith being the difference in what was otherwise a very tight affair between Brig battling for a play off spot and The Dabbers fighting to retain their Northern Premier League status.

A pre-match heavy downpour left the pitch in a wet and soft state, but credit to the Nantwitch groundstaff, the pitch played very well without really cutting up at all. The home side were clearly intent on making a fast start as they raced out of the traps, sending a couple of early testing crosses in the Brig penalty area, Brig responded and Rowan Roache saw an effort comfortably saved by the home keeper before the hosts followed a good right wing move with a shot that flew high over Felix Goddard’s goal.

Brig settled in the match and a lovely flowing move saw the ball switched from right to left, an overlapping run from Rowan Roache was met with a fine pass from Aaron Skinner, the low cross being well gathered by the keeper at the near post.

Felix Goddard was called into action for Brig on 20 minutes diving right and palming away a powerful free kick. The home side, without really troubling Felix in the Brig goal were having a strong spell midway through the first half and their ariel style of play always offered a threat. An injury to Paul Dawson following a very “robust” tackle on the Brig forward resulted in a stoppage in play with Daws’ requiring lengthy treatment. The ref deeming the challenge not even worthy of a booking. The Brig fans making the point that had that been the other way around the referee might not have been quite as lenient with Daws.

The game was beginning to open up around the half hour mark with with Felix once again making a fine to a chipped effort from the Dabbers forward, at the other end a Brig long ball sent Paul Dawson scampering after it, his fine low drive brought a fingertip diving save the Dabbers man between the sticks. But then came the defining moment of the match. The corner from the left was cleared before Brig regained possesion, the ball finding it's way to Paul Dawson wide on the right, Daws cut it back to Fin Sinclair-Smith on the right of goal some 18 yards out, Fin flicked the ball up and let loose a superb swerving volley that screamed in to the far top corner of the net. Now, Fin has scored a bucket full of wonder goals this season, but for me this was the best of the lot. The reaction from the Briggers support behind the goal told the story, delight, admiration, joy and “wow” what about that?

The hosts were beginning to look frustrated as Brig began to take control, another “Industrial” challenge left Aaron Skinner in a heap on the turf, a yellow card being handed out but once again from our vantage point, admittedly some distance away, it could well have been a different colour. With the half coming to close Brig almost doubled their advantage, a half cleared corner from the right fell to Macca, some 25 yards from goal, The Brig captain took a touch before firing in a terrific shot, the home keeper leaping at full stretch to tip it over the bar.

The second half began with Bamber Bridge having made an enforced change, Paul Dawson being replaced possibly as a result of the earlier challenge, with Joe Robbins taking his place. Brig had the wind at their backs in the second period but it was the hosts who started brightly again with an ariel bombardment of the Brig backline. The Lancashire side were playing on the break and Rowan Roache was unlucky to see a fine shot deflected leaving the keeper completely wrong footed but gliding by the post for a corner.

Brig were being denied any space to get into their stride, that’s a credit to Nantwich who despite their lowly position in the relegation zone, were looking a handful, stopping Brig playing their passing game and imposing their own direct style on the Irongate side.

Manager Jamie Milligan made a second change on 65 minutes with Rowan Roache making way for Donovan Lescott. Despite their territorial advantage The Dabbers were not really making any inroads and The Brig defence stood firm as the game developed in to a battle of attrition between the two differing styles of play. The hosts very direct approach was making it very difficult for Brig to build up kind of possession but the visitors were still looking to get forward and came so close when Matt Thomson superbly won the ball 30 yards from goal, Finley Cross-Adair took control and raced towards goal, drawing the keeper before picking his spot towards the far post, the ball rolling agonisingly just a couple of inches wide of the keepers left hand post.

A third Brig change saw Sky Sinclair who had gone down with cramp replaced by Chris Churchman and as the game entered the final stages and became more frenetic as the home side looked for the equaliser. Six minutes added time were signalled by the officials much to the dismay of the Brig fans but the home side sensed their opportunity and Felix once again came to the rescue not once but twice in stoppage time firstly diving left to make a save at his near post then getting behind a close range effort to keep his goal in tact.

A final Nantwich corner was headed over the bar before the referee blew the full time whistle and Brig had the 3 three vital well earned points that tonight leaves us incredibly in second place in The NPL behind leaders South Shields who are the visitors to Irongate next weekend in what promises to be an absolute cracker of a match, particularly with it also being the weekend of the Annual Bamber Bridge beer festival. A bumper crowd is expected with Shields almost certain to bring a large support. So let’s fill Irongate to the rafters and give Millie and lads the support they absolutely deserve for a final push in what has already been a sensational season.

Full Time: Nantwich Town – 0 Bamber Bridge – 1

Bamber Bridge: Goddard, Skinner, Thomson, Wilson ©, Mariette, Sinclair (S), Roache, Sinclair (I), Cross-Adair, Dawson, Sinclair-Smith

Subs: Forbes, Stanley, Robins, Lescott, Churchman

Att; 741