Sometimes when reporting on a defeat it can be safe to say “We were beaten by the better team”. That line can’t be used today; Bamber Bridge were not beaten by the better team, in fact Brig were head and shoulders above their Lincolnshire opponents in all but one aspect of the beautiful game. Unfortunately it’s the most important aspect. Sticking the ball in the back of the net. Despite entirely dominating the first half and sweeping the ball around the pitch from all angles, The Irongate side went in a the break, goalless and all square with Gainsborough Trinity.

The early minutes of the second half saw exactly the same pattern of play until Paul Dawson launched himself into an unnecessary challenge close to the touchline giving the referee little option but to brandish the red card. That moment completely changed the game and 10 minutes later Brig were trailing by 2 goals. Composure was restored and The Lancashire side ended as they had started but with absolutely nothing to show for it.

Brig had started in fine fashion, winning a corner in the opening seconds and pinning the hosts back. This pattern continued as Bamber Bridge didn’t let the home side settle. A free kick on 5 minutes just outside the penalty area on the right hand side was whipped in low, Joe Rodwell-Grant look to control the ball but it bounced off his thigh and rolled wide. The ball was being moved at pace from one side of the pitch to the other. Matt Thomson on the right supplied several great crosses in to the box that went unpunished. Rodwell-Grant then put the keeper under pressure from a weak back pass, the home keeper reacting to make a fine save, the ball was poked clear to the feet of Paul Dawson on the edge of the box. His screamer was tipped over the bar by the ever alert Trinity stopper.

A 5th Brig corner in the opening 20 minutes was half cleared, arriving at the feet of Matt Thomson who struck a fine effort, clearing the bar by inches. And so it continued, wave after wave from Bamber Bridge, Thommo again cutting in from the right saw another shot whistle just over the bar. Paul Dawson was then set free down the right of the area and cut a a great ball back across the face of the goal but again there was no one there to tap it home. On 40 minutes the home side launched their first attack of the game. A Brig corner had been punched clear and a lightening break ended with debutant keeper James Cottom diving left to push a shot around the post for a corner. Bamber Bridge again strode forward in the remaining minutes of the half but the referee blew his half time whistle with both the home and visiting supporters wondering how Brig were not ahead.

The second half began as the first had ended. Sheldon Green shooting from 15 yards, the keeper diving to his right to make a comfortable save. Moments later and Man of the match Thommo, again whipped in a low cross from the right that just need a touch, the keeper diving to reach the ball as Rodwell-Grant shaped to shoot at the near post.

On 56 minutes it all went wrong. Paul Dawson receiving a red card that from our vantage point behind the goal looked a needless tackle. The reaction of the home players indicated it was a bad challenge. The referee showed no hesitation in showing the red card and from that moment the game from Bamber Bridge’s perspective was essentially lost.

Isaac Sinclair came close for Brig coming inside from the right and clipping the ball over the bar, but Trinity took the lead in their next attack. A corner looked to have been cleared but was returned from the right, were Cieron Keane reacted first to thump the ball home and give the home side an unlikely lead.

Perplexed Brig Manager, Jamie Milligan (he must have been as bemused as the watching fans) made a change straight away Bringing on Adam Dawson as a replacement for Lewis Coulton, that was quickly followed by Nathan Pond replacing Joe Rodwell-Grant. Before either player had chance to get involved Trinity made it 2-0 and effectively sealed the points. This time a move down the left saw a clutch of players around the penalty area before the cheers of the home supporters indicated to us at the other end that it was now 2-0.

A third Brig change was made, Aaron Skinner for Craig Carney as Brig tried in vain to rescue the match. The home side buoyed by their good fortune almost made it 3 but James Cottom dived well to his left to make a good save. To their credit The Bamber Bridge lads didn’t give up and having recovered their composure from the two goal salvo from Trinity, continued to pass the ball around the park. The home defence were in no mood to give up their lead however and closed Brig down on numerous occasions before the ball got anywhere near the keeper.

With 5 minutes remaining it looked like Bamber Bridge may have had a lifeline, Adam Dawson chased a ball into the area on the right, pulled it back from the line where it was stabbed home from close range. It was short-lived however as the Lino had is flag up suggesting the ball had crossed the line before Dawson pulled it back. A hard one to call, we were right in front of it and it was a split decision amongst the Brig faithful as to whether the whole ball had crossed the line or not. With that the home side played out the remaining minutes quite comfortably. The full time whistle met with a feeling, “How have lost that” from the Briggers, and “how have we won that” from the home support.

It all comes down to finishing off the chances and in truth today Brig were just not sharp enough in and around the box. Brig will play far worse than they did today and pick up points, But losing a combined 19 goals from Blackpool Loanees Apter and Bange, is going to be a tough job to replace.
Full Time: Gainsborough Trinity – 2 Bamber Bridge – 0

Brig: Cottom, Thomson, Coulton, Spooner, Wilson (Capt.), Martin, Green, Carney, Rodwell-Grant, P Dawson, Sinclair

Subs: Pond, Skinner, Churchman, Dudley, A. Dawson

Att: 426

Match reporter: Alan Bateson