Bamber Bridge made the relatively short journey to Ewan Fields, home of Hyde Utd on Saturday afternoon and came away with all 3 points with a convincing 4- 0 away victory. Brig produced probably their best away performance of the season to end the day in 6th position in The Northern Premier League, just 3 points behind both Warrington Town and Scarborough Athletic who currently occupy the final two play off places with 3 games to go.

Brig started with debutant keeper James Aspinall in goal following PNE recalling Matt Hudson back to Deepdale. The new keeper having a fine game between the sticks.

On a bitterly cold but bright April day, Hyde Utd were the first to threaten, on 5 minutes with debut keeper James Aspinall making a great save following a right wing corner,. But it was Brig who opened the scoring on 7 minutes. Following a neat passing move, Isaac Sinclair played a delightful ball through to Jake Thompson who slid the ball superbly passed the advancing keeper to give Brig the lead. Clearly lifted by the early goal, The Lancashire side started to fizz the ball around the pitch. Mark Yeates ended a flowing move down the right side when his shot from a low square pass flashed over the bar.

Brig were well on top and twice The Tigers defenders were forced to head clear off the line from inswinging corners. Fin Sinclair-Smith had a driving run in to the box on 20 minutes but his low shot was comfortably held by the home keeper. But the 2nd goal was coming and on 25 minutes Isaac Sinclair doubled the Bamber Bridge advantage, Another sweeping move, this time down the left side saw a cross to the far post, the ball was partially cleared but landed at the feet of Isaac who drilled a first time low shot from 18 yards in to the bottom corner of the net.

With Brig dominant, another chance came as Jake Thompson sent over a delicious low cross from the right that ran right across the goal, Mark Yeates met the ball at the far post but good defending saw his shot deflected away.

Hyde still looked dangerous and on the half hour James Aspinall again was forced in to a fine save, diving left to push the ball around the post for a corner. Dan Martin picked up a booking as Brig looked to contain The Tigers and preserve their first half advantage. Aspinall making another fine save from ex Brigger Callum Spooner in the last minute of the half.

The 2nd half started with the home side pressing their Lancashire visitors back, Aspinall making a comfortable save from a shot from the right. Brig had made a change with Matt Thomson replacing Luke Higham. James Aspinall then made the save of the match, diving full length to tip the ball around the post as the hosts threatened to get back into the game. Brig responded and a lung busting run in to the box from Fin, ended with a fine tackle as he shaped to shoot. Fin again seconds later got on the end of a fine through ball and fired in a shot which was well parried by the home keeper.

Bamber Bridge made a 2nd change with Craig Carney coming on for Dan Martin as Brig started to dominate possession again. Jake Thompson created space on the right and picked out Paul Dawson with a terrific pass, the Brig striker was so unlucky as his bending shot curled just inches wide of the post. Isaac Sinclair then had a dribbling run into the box, his shot deflected straight to the keeper before a Paul Dawson 25 yard dipping effort landed on the roof of the net.

Jake Daniels came on as the final Brig change for Mark Yeates and Bamber Bridge continued to pepper the Hyde United defence. A Paul Dawson Free kick was struck over the bar before more great wing play from Jake Thompson won a corner on the right. The corner was headed out to Isaac Sinclair who lashed a a 20 yard shot just over the bar. Fin Sinclair burst into the area on the right and his shot across goal was well saved by the keeper.

The 3rd goal was surely coming, and it duly arrived on 85 minutes. Jake Daniels broke away down the right and struck a fine shot, the keeper parried the ball and it was hooked away for a corner by a Hyde defender. The corner was played short and as Craig Carney received the ball at the corner of the penalty area, he took a touch before blasting the ball across the keeper in to the bottom corner.

With the result now beyond doubt, Brig made it 4 as the game approached stoppage time, Fin Sinclair doing the spade work with ball sitting up nicely for Jake Daniels to rifle home his first Bamber Bridge goal from 15 yards.

The full time whistle came moments later with the Brig players heading over to their supporters behind the goal to receive a much deserved ovation. A tremendous performance that leaves everything still to play for in the final 3 games of the season. Next up is a real tough fixture at home to Morpeth Town who sit just one place and two points behind Bamber Bridge.

Full Time: Hyde United – 0 Bamber Bridge – 4

Bamber Bridge: Aspinall, Sinner, Higham, Martin, Wilson (Capt), Pond, Thompson, Dawson (P), Sinclair, Yeates, Sinclair- Smith

Subs: Carney, Spinelli, Thomson, Daniels, Strawn