Match Reporter: Alan Bateson

Bamber Bridge returned to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, with a superb 2nd half display to take all 3 points at The Bower Field, home of Stalybridge Celtic. Trailing at the break, Brig turned it around with goals from Rob Apter and Fin Sinclair-Smith to remain in 4th place in The NPL and open up a 4 point gap between themselves and 6th placed Warrington.

Bamber Bridge started the match on the front foot and pinned The Celts back in the opening minutes. Brigs’ flow was disrupted in the 6th minute when Stalybridge were forced into an early change following an injury to Jay Fitzmartin who had to be stretchered off following treatment behind the goal. The change seemed to settle the home side, who after a shaky start began to get back into the game.

Brig were playing the neat, quick one touch football that has become their trademark this season with Rob Apter seeing plenty of the ball down the right hand side. The final ball was just missing though. Although Brig were enjoying much more possesion than Celtic, chances were at a premium and the keeper was barely troubled. At the other end, The Lancashire visitors were relieved when a shot from distance looked to be cleared close to the line and the rebound was hammered over the bar and out of the ground.

Bamber Bridge responded and Rob Apter chested down a great diagonal pass, before cutting inside and striking a low shot that the home keeper saved comfortably. Seconds later and Apter again tried his luck. The home keeper making another good save.

While Brig were playing the better football Stalybridge Celtic were looking very sharp on the break and Mateusz Hewelt, The Bamber Bridge keeper had to be alert to dive to his right and save well from a daisy cutter of a shot from the edge of the box. However, on their next foray in to the Bamber Bridge half in the 38th minute, the home side took the lead. Nathan Pond was booked for a foul 30 yards from goal on the right hand side, The free-kick was swung into the box and the unlucky Pondy headed the ball into his own net as he tried to clear.

The goal lifted the hosts and for the remainder of the half they were on top with Brig now looking to play on the break. In the last minute of the half, Rob Apter raced clear down the right, cut the ball back to the 6 yard line but Matt Dudley mistimed his shot and the ball spooned over the bar. The referee brought the half to end moments later. A half were Bamber Bridge had seen plenty of the ball but in truth never really threatened the Celtic goal.

The second half began with Brig again starting well. Nathan Pond was close to getting his head on to a right wing Mark Yeates cross, the home keeper punching clear. 5 minutes later another Brig kick from a similar position sailed right across the 6 yard line just needing just a touch but it sneaked out for a goal-kick at the back post. Mateusz Hewelt then saved well from a rapid Celtic break, diving to his right to keep out a fierce half volley.

With the game becoming stretched , Brig made a change on 63 minutes, Craig Carney replacing Matt Dudley. The move paid almost instant dividends. A ball out wide right to Fin was swept inside where Rob Apter controlled and stuck a superb low shot from 8 yards, the ball squeezing under the home keeper as he dived to his left.

Just 2 minutes later and the turnaround was complete, as this time Fin Sinclair- Smith sent the Brig supports wild as he took possession of a Mark Yeates low corner and from 15 yards smashed the ball in to the back of the net, the keeper diving left but beaten at his near post. Suddenly Bamber Bridge were playing with great confidence and the quick flowing one touch football was in evidence again.

The home side tried their best to get back into the game but Brig were in no mood to let slip what their hard work had earned and kept Celtic at arms length as the minutes ticked by.

Bamber Bridge were now looking more likely to add to their lead and Mark Yeates saw a fierce free kick stopped by the Celts centre half as it struck him fairly and squarely in the unmentionables !!! Fair play to the lad, he managed to regain his composure and clear up-field before keeling over. As the minutes passed Bamber Bridge kept possession well to run down the clock with home side becoming more and more frustrated. Several times as the match entered 5 minutes of stoppage time Brig won free kicks in the attacking third of the pitch. Superb game management by Jamie Milligans team.

The referee brought proceedings to a close with the Bamber Bridge fans behind the goal giving their team the ovation that their second half performance had deserved. The players coming across to applaud the visiting fans.

Brig continue with their relentless season this Tuesday when a trip to AFC Blackpool awaits in the Lancashire Senior Cup before returning to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium next Saturday for the Northern Premier League clash with Ashton United.

Full time: Stalybridge Celtic – 1 Bamber Bridge – 2

Att: 447

Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Thompson, White, Spooner (Capt.), Pond, Boyle, Apter, Sinclair, Dudley, Yeates, Sinclair-Smith

Subs: Carney, Green, Wilson, Churchman, Forbes.