Bamber Bridge were beaten 2-1 at The Proctor Car Sales Stadium, home of League leaders Matlock Town on Saturday afternoon. The top of the table clash certainly lived up to the pre-match expectations and produced a superb advert for the Northern Premier League.

The game started with the home side going straight on to the offensive. Their direct style of play saw the Brig backline put under heavy pressure in the opening minutes with a series of crosses and long balls in to the penalty area. The Lancashire visitors looked to have weathered the early storm when The Gladiators took the lead in the 10th minute. A Bamber Bridge attack and shot from Paul Dawson was blocked and following a lightening quick breakaway down the right, the ball was switched inside where Mateusz Hewelt made a fine save to stop the initial shot before the rebound was stabbed home from close range.

Minutes later and Bamber Bridge were forced into an early change. Nathan Pond picking up a nasty looking hand injury that needed an urgent visit to A+E at Chesterfield Royal Hospital. Fin Sinclair- Smith coming on for the unfortunate Pondy.

Bamber Bridge responded well to the set back and could have equalise on 15 minutes. A back pass was badly sliced by thr home keeper with the ball dropping to Fin Sinclair-Smith on the edge of the penalty. Unfortunately on this occasion Fins first touch let him down and the ball squirmed away giving the keeper that chance to redeem himself and dive on the ball to make the save.

It was Fin just a few minutes later who came close again, A superb right wing cross from Isaac Sinclair was flicked on in the 6 yard box to Fin at the Far post, the keeper again diving at the Brig wingers feet as he shaped to shoot.

Paul Dawson then met another fine cross from the right with a glancing header that flashed just wide of the post. At the other end Matlock, looking very sharp carved out a great opportunity for a second goal but the shot was ballooned over the bar from 15 yards. Isaac Sinclair had a great low shot blocked before a 2nd follow up effort was also blocked, superb defending to be fair.

The game was swinging from end to end with Bamber Bridge looking to play their neat passing game, whilst the home side were intent on getting the ball in to the Brig penalty area at the earliest opportunity. The Brig back line defending stoutly against a barrage of crosses and long throw ins.

As the half drew to a close, the home side looked to be turning the screw and really pushed the Irongate visitors back but the visitors held out to the break.

Bamber Bridge started the second half very well and had a chance to equalise in the 47th minute. A Mark Yeates raid down the left wing saw him play the ball inside, it was moved on to Fin who struck a low shot from 18 yards. The home keeper getting down well to make the save. Moments later and again Fin fired in a shot from wide on the left of the box that was deflected wide for a corner. Paul Dawson then got a good head to a right wing cross but the ball sailed over the bar.

Brig were passing the ball around sweetly but The Gladiators were resolute in defence and on numerous occasions the final ball was cut out or the cross was blocked. The work rate of the Matlock side was phenomenal as they hunted in packs to close down every Brig attack.

As often seems to happen, with Bamber Bridge unable to make the breakthrough, the home side with their first real attack of the half, doubled their advantage. On 62 minutes, a deep cross form the right was headed home from close range leaving Brig with a mountain to climb. Matlock should have made it three on 70 minutes when what looked a certain goal from just 5 yards out was miskicked, allowing the ball to be hooked clear.

A minute later and Brig were handed a lifeline. Matt Thompson was tripped in the penalty area and Paul Dawson stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and plant the ball in bottom corner of the net.

A change on 78 minutes saw PNE loanee Jacob Holland-Wilkinson, who had worked his socks off, replaced by Craig Carney. It had been a baptism of the fire for the young North End player against a strong Matlock centre back pairing. His performance bodes well for future games in the white shirt of Bamber Bridge.

As the game approached the final minutes, Matlock looked to slow down the game as Brig pushed for the equaliser. Try as they might, there was no way through for Bamber Bridge as they were kept at arms length by the solid Gladiators defence.

Full time and Matlock take the points in this top of the table clash. On balance, probably deserved as they created the clearer chances. Bamber Bridge can be pleased with the performance however. Always looking to the play the ball on the ground and playing some very good football. A really entertaining game and Matlock Town will certainly take some stopping. For Brig, we dust ourselves down and look forward to welcoming Stalybridge Celtic to The Sir Tom Finney Stadium next
Saturday.

As for Pondy, Well he was driven to Chesterfield Hospital by a Matlock fan. Well done to that lady. Non League football eh? Well, we couldn’t just leave him there, so the team coach was diverted to the town with the crooked spire were Nathan was waiting with his bandaged up fingers.

Full Time: Matlock Town – 2 Bamber Bridge – 1

Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Thomson, Higham, Spooner, Pond, Wilson (Capt.), Sinclair, Martin, Holland-Wilkinson, Yeates, Dawson (P)

Subs: Sinclair-Smith, Skinner, Carney, Thompson, Dawson (A)

Att:836

Match reporter: Alan Bateson