Well, where to start? Possibly with the late arrival of the team bus at the Incredibly long named 'Towbar Express Stadium at The Turnbull Ground'. Only arriving at twenty past two wasn’t perhaps the best pre match preparation. Whether that is the reason for the awful start to the match for Brig is open to conjecture, but an awful opening spell it was.

Within 14 minutes Bamber Bridge found themselves 1 goal behind, down to 10 men, the debutant keeper sent off and a striker in goal. The mountain that was left to climb was too steep and despite a valiant effort the result was never really in doubt. Particularly after a an injury to mid way through the second half saw Brig playing out the last 20 minutes with just 9 players on the pitch.

Whitby Town had started the match quickly and their first opportunity arrived in the 3rd minute. A free kick from the right, headed down and a shot scooped over the bar. Brig barely got in to the opposition half before on 12 minutes the hosts took the lead. A long ball over the top of the brig backline was chased down and calmly fired passed PNE loanee keeper Matt Hudson, Brig defenders claiming offside, but no flag was raised and the goal stood.

A minute later and Hudson made a fine save from a similar effort as the home side pushed forward dominantly. Then in the 14th minute another long through-ball saw Hudson racing from his line, he was adjudged to have handled the ball outside the area and the referee had no hesitation in showing him the red card. With no sub keeper on the bench, it was striker Paul Dawson who donned the yellow jersey and took his place between the sticks. To his credit he had a pretty decent game as the visiting defenders galvanised themselves in offering good protection to the stand in keeper.

The Lancashire side started to grow into the game and Adam Dawson came close on 25 minutes as he fired in a low shot from 15 yards, the home keeper diving down to his left to push it around the post for a corner. On 35 minutes Jamie Milligan made a tactical switch as Rhys Turner replaced Fin Sinclair-Smith. The home side continued to be the dominant force but Brig were looking dangerous on the break. A corner from the right delivered by by Mark Yeates, was controlled on the edge of the box but the attempted shot was blocked and cleared. The fans behind the goal offered advice to the Brig forward line, a loud shout of “Just welly it” brought some much needed cheer.

Bamber Bridge were dealt a further blow on 42 minutes when Dan Martin picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Luke Higham as Brig sought to reach the break with just the one gaol deficit. There was a big chance to equalise just moments later, Rhys Turner curling a shot inches passed the post from 20 yards with the keeper beaten. That was the last action of the half.

Brig made a third change at the start of the 2nd half, Jake Thompson on to replace Matt Thomson. Whitby started like a steam train again and forced a couple of early corners, Brig stand in keeper Paul Dawson and his defenders repelling the danger. Rhys Turner then showed a deft touch in the penalty area , side stepping a challenge before a clipping in a shot-cum-cross, from the left, The home keeper was alert and dived on the ball to avert the danger. Straight from his clearance the home side doubled their lead. The home won a corner and from the cross the ball was firmly headed home to essentially put the result beyond doubt.

Try as the might, Bamber Bridge were unable to get back into the game and the home side seemed content to stick with what they had. Rhys Turner saw a shot comfortably saved before Paul Dawson brought cheers from the travelling Briggers with a fine diving save at the other end. The bad day got worse for Bamber Bridge on 75 minutes when a tackle on Rhys Turner, which resulted in a free kick but no yellow card, led to the Brig striker hobbling from the field requiring assistance, leaving the already beleaguered Briggers down to 9 men.

The game had now, as expected fizzled out, the only action left was a red card for a home striker for a late challenge on Paul Dawson. So, the match ended with 10 v 9 on the pitch and a comfortable 2-0 victory for Whitby Town. Bamber Bridge now have to concentrate on bringing an end to the current barren run that has seen us slump to the bottom of the form table with just 2 points from the last 6 games and 7 defeats in the last 11 games. Next up though is another touch encounter as title chasing Buxton visit Irongate next Saturday.

Full Time: Whitby Town – 2 Bamber Bridge – 0

Bamber Bridge: Hudson, Skinner, Thomson, Spooner, Wilson, Martin, A Dawson, Sinclair, P Dawson, Sinclair-Smith, Yeates

Subs: Carney, Churchman, Thompson, Higham, Turner.

Att: 458

Match reporter: Alan Bateson.