Bamber Bridge progressed to the 3rd Qualifying round of The Emirates FA Cup for the 1st time in 7 seasons with a 2-1 Victory at The Joseph Russell Stadium, home of Prescott Cables FC on Saturday afternoon.

A minute's silence in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II preceded the kick off and was impeccably observed by supporters of both clubs. Bamber Bridge started on the front foot and had the first strike at goal as Paul Dawson Paul Dawson controlled a forward pass on his chest and laid it off to Finns Sinclair-Smith, whose shot was comfortably held by the Cables keeper. Minutes later and Fin turned provider, having found space in the penalty area. Squared the ball to “Daws”, who had the ball nipped off his toe as he shaped to shoot.

A right wing cross looking for Nathan Pond saw the Brig No.6 bundled over in the box, Pondy claimed a penalty, the referee waved play on, probably the right decision to be fair. Prescot Cables were playing on the break and Felix (The Cat) Goddard had to be on his toes saving a shot from distance on 20 minutes. At the other end Fin tried his luck with a 20 yard shot, the home keeper saving comfortably.

Wil riding was tripped on the edge of the area giving Bamber Bridge a shooting opportunity from a free kick. Paul Dawson, who had a superb match struck a fierce shot over the wall, the Cables keeper leaping across his goal to punch the ball over the bar for a corner.

Brig were well on top and it came as no surprise when the Lancashire visitors took the lead on 25 minutes. A slick one touch passing move found Fin on the edge of the box, he threaded a sublime pass across the 6 yard box where Pondy was on hand to slam the ball home from 3 yards to give The Briggers a deserved lead.

Bamber Bridge were playing some terrific football as the first half wore on, a superb left wing move set Noah Alabi free and he whipped over a delicious low cross in to the path of Pondy, who despite his best efforts was unable to connect with the ball as it flashed across the goal. Fin then struck a rising shot inches over the bar after a superb back heeled pass from Paul Dawson sent him clear into the 18 yard box.

It looked only a matter of time before Brig added to their lead, Fin again unlucky as his goal bound shot was deflected wide of the post with the keeper completely wrong-footed. However, as long as it stayed just 1-0 the home side were still well in the game and right on half time they levelled the score.

A Deep free kick was met at the far post and a downward header forced Felix in to a fine diving save, pushing the ball around the post for a corner. The incoming corner was met with a shot that struck the bar, the ball was partially cleared, but returned and headed home from close range. Brig players claimed the ball hadn’t crossed the line but the goal stood and Cables were level on the stroke of half time. It could actually have been worse as just seconds before the half time whistle Felix Goddard made another fine save from a close range header.

The second half began with Brig again pushing forward, Noah Alabi bundled over has he tried to burst free in to the box, The Brig players again claimed for a spot kick but in truth it would have been very soft. The home side buoyed form their late first half equaliser looked a different proposition in the second half as the game became more of an even contest.

A Cables attack in th 55th minute broke down on the edge of the Brig area and a long forward ball sent Fin clear, The Brig No.11 took the ball down superbly before striding in to the area and slotting the ball between the legs of the advancing keeper to give Bamber Bridge a 2-1 lead.

Noah Alabi then saw a glancing header form a corner drift agonisingly wide of the far post, before Felix Goddard again made a fine stop from a low drive as the game swung from end to end. Fin Sinclair- Smith was unlucky from a great driving run and dribble in to the area, with the keeper coming to close Fin down, he poked the ball past him only for it to be hooked clear off the line by a Cables defender. Noah Alabi then had a terrific run from the left, beating two defenders before looking to play in Fin, the pass being cleared as Fin was ready to pounce. Fin himself found himself free at the front post for a right wing cross, his header flashing just wide as |Brig looked to add to their lead.

Bamber Bridge made a change on 70 minutes, Sky Sinclair replacing Wil Riding for his long awaited competitive debut for Bamber Bridge, following recovery from a hamstring injury, sadly for Sky (and Brig), his debut lasted only 10 minutes before he was forced to leave the field for what is assumed to be a reoccurrence of his injury. New signing from Burnley, Kade Ratchford coming on to replace the unfortunate Brig defender.

Disaster almost struck for Brig on 80 minutes, A long forward ball saw Felix Goddard come racing out of his goal to meet the ball, the Prescot forward reached it first, stepped round Felix and chipped towards the unguarded goal, thankfully for Brig it was just too high and cleared the bar with very little to spare.

As the the game approached stoppage time the home side with nothing to lose pushed forward looking for the equaliser. The Brig backline handled the added 5 minutes superbly to see out the game and claim their place in the next round. A massive win for Brig in the context of the season as the prize money for progression rises round by round. The referee’s whistle brought a roar of delight from the travelling Briggers behind the goal. A really good performance and a terrific match to watch.

With no mid week game, Brig have a full week to prepare for getting back to NPL action next week when Belper Town will be the visitors to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium.

Full Time: Prescot Cables – 1 Bamber Bridge – 2

Bamber Bridge: Goddard, Green, Skinner, Thomson, Wilson ©, Pond, Riding, Perkins, Sinclair-Smith, Dawson, Alabi

Substitutes: Forbes, Roccia, Ratchford, Sky Sinclair, Isaac Sinclair-Smith

Att: 720