Match reporter: Alan Bateson

Bamber Bridge returned from Stainton Park, home of Radcliffe FC on Tuesday evening with all 3 points following a superb 3-2 victory, decided by a sublime finish from Brig debut striker Jake Thompson.

The game started in a frantic fashion with both sides looking to attack at every opportunity. The hosts had the better of the opening exchanges and took the lead on 11 minutes. A Brig free kick was cleared and a swift Boro break down the left wing saw a fine save from Bamber Bridge keeper Mateusz Hewelt, but the ball landed kindly at the feet of Radcliffe striker Callum Gribbin who made no mistake, slamming the ball in the bottom corner.

Brig responded almost immediately and just 30 seconds later it was 1-1. A long ball forward was chased down by Nathan Pond playing upfront, Pondy beat the advancing keeper to the ball and as the keeper clattered into the Brig No.9 he managed to poke the ball past him, it seemed to take an age for the ball to reach cross the goal-line, but it did and Brig were level.

The game was swinging from end to end with The Lancashire visitors having the best of the chances. Fin Sinclair–Smith challenged for, and won the ball in the penalty area before firing a shot from the right, across the goal, missing the far post by inches. But on 28 minutes Brig took the lead. A fine move from left to right found Isaac Sinclair 25 yards from goal. The Brig wide-man, cut inside from the right before smashing the ball home off the inside of the far post for a superb goal.

Moments later and it was almost 3 for Bamber Bridge. Isaac Sinclair again, this time chesting the ball down on the edge of the area before striking an exquisite volley that looked a certain goal until the Boro keeper dived to his left to make a Worldie of a save pushing the ball over the bar for a corner.

With chances coming thick and fast, Fin was next up, shooting inches wide again from 10 yards. As the half neared its end Mark Yeates chased down a weak backpass but the home keeper arrived just in time to clear the danger for the home side.

The half time whistle arrived ending what had been a superb 45 minutes of football. A credit to both sides and The Northern Premier League, with Brig leading 2-1

The second half started in a much calmer fashion. The home side began to dominate possession as they looked for the equaliser. Mateusz Hewlet was forced into an early save as the hosts pressed the visitors back. A Bamber Bridge free kick in a dangerous position at the edge of the penalty area struck the wall and was cleared as the home side continued to have much of the possession without really troubling the Brig goal. A change in personnel on 65 minutes saw Adam Dawson replace Chris Churchman.

The Radcliffe equaliser however arrived on 67 minutes from the penalty spot. By now, a swirling fog was beginning to envelop the Stainton Park Ground and it was difficult from my vantage point at one end of the ground to know what the penalty was awarded for. The spot kick however was dispatched into the back of the net to level the scores.

Bamber Bridge made a further change with new signing Jake Thompson replacing Fin Sinclair-Smith. The game was now becoming increasingly difficult to report on as the fog thickened and we could barely see the goalposts at the far end of the pitch. Bamber Bridge started to impose themselves on the home side and a free kick wide on the left caused confusion in the home defence before the ball was hooked clear. Brig made a 3rd change on 80 minutes, Craig Carney replacing the hard working Mark Yeates.

On 86 minutes Brig took the lead again. A fine move saw the ball swept wide left to Jake Thompson who cut inside into the penalty area before curling a fabulous effort into the far corner of the net giving the home keeper no chance. It was the first effort on target of the half for Bamber Bridge, but what a time to do it. The fog by now was getting thicker and thicker and a concern amongst the Brig supporters was would the game finish. The referee added 4 minutes of which we could see nothing beyond the half way line. We didn’t see the referee blow the full time whistle but certainly heard it, bringing a roar of delight from the Brig fans behind the goal.

A superb 3 points for Bamber Bridge against a very decent Radcliffe team. The second half not quite living u to the first, but in truth that was an excpetioanl 45 minutes of football. But Brig march on, and anotehr mouth watering clash with FC United of Manchester awaits on Saturday at The Sir Tom Finney Stadium.

Bamber Bridge are surpassing all expectations so far this season and tonight was another superb all-round performance.

Full Time: Radcliffe – 2 Bamber Bridge – 3

Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Churchman, Higham, Spooner, Wilson (Cap), Martin, Skinner, Sinclair, Pond, Yeates, Sinclair-Smith

Subs: Carney, Dawson, Billington, Thompson, Cottom

Att: 491