Bamber Bridge’s injury hit squad found themselves on the wrong end of a five goal beating at the hands of Atherton Collieries at the Skuna Stadium on Tuesday evening. Three goals in three 1st half minutes, added to to Colls first from a disputed spot kick 10 minutes earlier, left the Lancashire lads down and out by half time.

Brig, who’s injury list pretty much now accounts for half the squad where also without Macaulay Wilson who was serving a one match ban for his double yellow card sending off at Radcliffe last Tuesday evening. The game had started on an even Keel, with both sides probing but neither keeper tested in the opening quarter of an hour. All was soon to change. On 16 minutes Brig had what looked a very fair shout for a penalty. Danny Forbes raised clear and became the meat in the sandwich as both the home keeper and a defender clattered into him leaving Danny and the defender slumped on the floor in the penalty area. The referee stopped play for treatment to be administered to both players before inexplicably restarting the game with a drop ball, in favour of the home side.

On 17 minutes Brigs injury woes were heightened when Daniel Wisdom took a knock and was forced to leave the field, replaced by Chris Marlow, himself still suffering from an Achilles heel problem. Minutes later however Brig could and should have taken the lead. A free kick swung in from the right, wasn’t dealt with by the Colls defence, the ball fell to Danny Forbes on the 6 yard line, His point blank effort was blocked on the line by the keeper, the ball rebounded to DJ De La Cruz just 4 yards out, he delayed just enough to allow a Colls defender to get back on the line and make another outstanding defensive block, the ball was cleared and the chance lost.

Within a minute, the ball was at the other end and the home side were awarded a penalty for what seemed an innocuous challenge. Ex Brigger Jordan Darr stepped up to slam the ball home. Brigs reaction to the penalty saw both Danny Roccia and Goose receive yellow cards.

Brig hardly responded at all and the hosts sensed their chance. The 2nd goal for the home side duly arrived on 35 minutes but not before complete confusion had ensued. Chris Marlow had stooped to head the ball back to his keeper, As Danny cleared the ball the referee spotted the Lino furiously waving his flag. After consultation with his assistant the referee awarded an indirect free kick kick to Atherton inside the penalty area. (the referee later advised the free kick was awarded for unsporting behaviour against Goose, who according to the referee had headed the ball back to the keeper from off the ground !!)

A quick sideways pass and the ball was fired into the back of the Brig net, via the post. Brig were rattled, so much so, that the ball was lost straight from the kick off, and A quick forward pass allowed the home striker to skip passed the beleaguered Brig keeper to make it three. Worse to follow just a further minute later. Brig again lost possession from the restart, this time allowing Jordan Darr is smash home his second of the night and Colls third goal in little over two minutes.

Brig had fallen apart and at this stage there were fears of a complete collapse. Danny Roccia made a fine save to keep it at four just before the referee brought the half to a close.

A second half change saw Richie Allen replace De LaCruz for Brig. Just 2 minutes in and the Brig supporters behind the goal watched in dismay as Danny Forbes was clearly tripped in the penalty area as he shaped to shoot, the referee exuberantly waved his arms across his chest to indicate no contact. He was 100% wrong !! Brig to their credit rallied in the second half, the home side clearly content with with their first half haul. Chances came and went for Bamber Bridge. Chris Marlow fired over from a tight angle after creating space on the right hand side of the penalty area, Mark Yeates then found the head of Goose following a good move down the right wing, The header just clearing the bar. Danny Forbes The saw a header beat the crossbar before Richie Allen then ran free to lob the keeper, the ball finding the back of then net but the Lino was once again waving his flag to indicate offside.

Goose again came close before Brig imploded at the back again and simply gifted the home side a 5th. A weary and loose misplaced pass across the pitch from the right was picked up by the advancing Colls forward who strode into the box before lashing the ball into the roof of the net..

Frustrations again got the better of Brig as Chris Marlow then made a rash touchline line tackle leading to his second yellow of the night and subsequent red. With the injury list as it is, Brig can simply not afford to to be losing players to suspension for avoidable bookings.

Following two minutes of added time the referee thankfully brought the wretched evening to a close with the final whistle. A heavy defeat, the fourth on the bounce for Bamber Bridge and not a night that will live long in the memory of anyone from The Sir Tom Finney Stadium.

At the final whistle, Brig Keeper Danny Roccia set off at pace and ran the entire length of the pitch to the handful of Briggers being the goal. Danny apologised for the defeat and display and even offered to reimburse the admission fees of the attending Brig support. This offer was quite obviously declined. Danny had no need whatsoever to to do this but his actions were very much appreciated and in truth, lifted the spirits of the departing Briggers.

Brig move on, and we return home this weekend after 3 consecutive away games as we welcome Buxton FC to Irongate.

Full Time: Atherton Collieries – 5 Bamber Bridge – 0

Att: 301

Bamber Bridge: Roccia, Radcliffe, Wisdom, Forbes, Spooner, Churchman, Roache, Thomason, Sinclair, De La Cruz, Yeates

Subs: Marlow, Lawlor, Allen, Dudley, King-Harmes