Bamber Bridge made the short journey to Stainton Park, home of Radcliffe FC on Saturday afternoon and returned with all three points in the bag and a performance that had the sizeable Brig contingent purring with delight. The 4 goal margin of victory would have been significantly higher but for an outstanding goalkeeping performance from Ollie Martin in the Radcliffe goal.

The first half started with Bamber Bridge playing up the slope and right from the kick off the Brig slick passing game was in evidence. The home side were more direct and created the 1st chance of the match when Prince Haywood fired wide from 12 yards. Brig responded and a fine passing move across the pitch ended with a Richie Allen shot from a tight angle that the home keeper saved with his legs, the first of many fine saves to come from the Radcliffe stopper.

Radcliffe carved out another shooting opportunity on the half hour but Ben Wharton’s effort flew high and wide. Again Brig came back, playing neat, one touch football that found Sheldon Green on the right hand side of the penalty area, he twisted and turned before striking a fine shot that the keeper half saved before it was hooked clear off the line by a defender. Moments later and Chris Marlow delivered a fine cross from the left that Matt Thompson met with a volley that whistled inches passed the post.

It was now all Bamber Bridge as the visitors piled on the pressure in the closing stages of the half. Sheldon Green again forced a terrific save from Ollie Martin with a low shot from 10 yards, Matt Dudley followed up with the rebound but again Martin saved before getting up again to block the 3rd effort and force it out for a corner. Superb goalkeeping. Green was not to be denied however as just minutes later another swift passing move found Richie Allen in space on the right of the area, his neat back heeled pass was smashed home off the underside bar by Sheldon Green from 15 yards to give Brig a deserved lead at the break.

The second half started as the first had ended and the domination from the visitors continued for the entire 45 minutes. An early Brig free kick was headed off the line before Sheldon Green was again sent racing clear. His chipped attempt was calmly saved by the keeper. Brig where now in full flow and Joe Booth sent a 25 yard effort whistling just over the bar. But just 10 minutes into the half, Brig doubled their advantage. Richie Allen picking up the ball to the left of goal just outside the penalty area, he cut inside before curling a peach of a shot over the keeper and in to the top far corner of the net.

On 60 minutes Bamber Bridge produced the goal of the match and I doubt a better team goal has been scored at any level anywhere in the country today. A slick passing move involving 6 or seven players and one touch passes found Richie Allen on the left of the penalty area, he turned the full back inside out before cutting the ball back from the by line for the advancing Matt Dudley to smash the ball home off the underside of the bar, giving the keeper absolutely no chance. Truly a goal of sheer quality.

With the Brig fans still in raptures, Joe Booth added a 4th in the 65th Minute this time striking a sweet half volley from the edge of the area, again giving Martin in the Boro goal no chance at all. Immediately after the goal Bamber Bridge made two changes. Allen and Booth receiving rapturous applause from the Brig faithful as they were replaced by Rowan Roache and Michael Fowler.

The changes did not interrupt the flow of the game as the visitors from Irongate continued to dominate as they swept the ball from left to right and they created chance after chance. Only fantastic goalkeeping kept the scoreline down to four. Rowan Roache was thwarted by Martin on 70 minutes as his, 20 yard strike was saved at full stretch and pushed away for a corner. Danny Forbes was then introduced, replacing Chris Churchman who’d had a fine game. With his first touch Danny struck a fierce dipping shot from 25 yards that was finger tipped over the bar. Goose then saw header flash just over the bar from a corner before a Michael Fowler effort was headed off the line.

Danny Forbes then controlled a floated free kick in to the box on his chest before volleying just over. Still Brig piled forward and the next effort came from Michael Fowler, showing great strength to hold off two defenders before striking a terrific shot, forcing an equally fine save from the Radcliffe keeper. Next up it was Sheldon Green, latching on to a Forbes cross after a surging run. His shot was inches wide. Rowan Roache then watched in disbelief as his superbly struck volley from a Michael Fowler pass, cannoned back of the foot of the post. Roache again was denied with another terrific save by Ollie Martin who had single handedly prevented his side from taking an absolute thumping.

The referee brought proceedings to end much to the delight of the home side and the Bamber Bridge fans rose to applaud a stunning display from their team. An inspiring performance all round and the 3rd away League victory on the spin. This was as good a performance that Bamber Bridge have produced in a long long time. The passing and movement was joy to watch. The attacking flair and quality of the goals and chances created made it a special day.

Full time: Radcliffe – 0 Bamber Bridge – 4
Att: 432

Bamber Bridge: Roccia, Thompson, Marlow (Capt.), Spooner, Charnock, Wisdom, Green, Churchman, Dudley, Booth, Allen

Subs: Roache, Fowler, Sumner, Forbes, Doughty

Match Reporter: Alan Bateson