The Bamber Bridge away day horror show continued on Saturday afternoon, this time at the hands of Atherton Collieries. A 4-1 reverse left Brig with the shocking League statistic on the road of having played nine, losing eight, with just a solitary point since August.

The nine games have seen Bamber Bridge concede 28 goals whilst scoring just eight. Today's defeat was also the 4th time Brig have returned home following a 4-1 thumping, having suffered the same margin of defeat at South Shields, Gainsborough Trinity and Hyde United.

At The Skuna Stadium, home of Atherton Collieries, the game was over well before half time, with the home side coasting into a three goal lead before the break. Colls won the toss and elected to play towards the Changing rooms end, meaning Lloyd Rigby in goal for Brig had the glaring Sun squarely in his eyes, certainly for a good half hour before it dipped below the stand.

The match had started as a scrappy affair with neither side creating anything of note in the early stages. James Dean having the best Brig opportunity but heading over. However, with Bamber Bridge looking reasonably comfortable, the game changed on 25 minutes when the hosts where awarded a penalty for a foul on Ben Hardcastle. The spot kick sent Rigby the wrong way and gave the home side the lead. Brig never looked likely to get back into the game from this point as the wheels well and truly came off. Just moments after the spot kick Colls almost doubled the lead, this time the shot rebound to safety having struck the inside of the post.

However, on 35 minutes the home side did double their lead. Tom Bentham allowed time and space in the box to pick his spot with a curling effort. Brig did have a chance to half the score when neat footwork set James Dean free in the box, but from 8 yards his scuffed shot struck the outside of the post. The match was effectively over just before half time when Colls claimed their third, this time a close range effort after cutting the Brig reargaurd apart again.

Two second half changes for Bamber bridge saw Gary Pett and Danny Forbes introduced for Joe Booth and Matt Dudley, however, before the changes had any kind of impact, The home side made it four. Hardcastle volleying home following a cross from the right wing. Danny Forbes then hit a rising shot that cleared the bar as Brig tried to push forward, the home side seemingly content with the four they already had. Lloyd Rigby had to be alert though as a quick break away saw the Brig stopper at full stretch turning away a fierce shot.

Brig did pull a goal back through Gary Pett, who’s second half substitute appearance was possibly the only glimmer of light in an otherwise lamentable performance from the visitors. Pett’s goal coming from a turn and low shot from the edge of the box on 78 minutes. It was Pett again on 83 minutes that brought the save of the match out of the Atherton keeper. A hard low drive from 10 yards that was superbly directed around the post for a corner. That was as much as Brig had offered in an attacking sense all afternoon and as the referee blew the final whistle the Brig supporters in a crowd of 374 drifted away freezing cold and extremely disappointed with what was another hugely disappointing away performance.

Full Time: Atherton Collieries – 4 Bamber Bridge – 1

Bamber Bridge: Rigby, Sumner, Thompson, Lawlor, Charnock, Wisdom, Waddecar, Booth, Dean, Dudley, Marlow

Subs: Doughty, Forbes, Spooner, Churchman Pett.

Attendance: 374

Match reporter: Alan Bateson