Bamber Bridge’s interest in this seasons Isuza FA Trophy ended at The Leasing.com , home of Macclesfield FC in the 3rd Qualifying round on Saturday afternoon. A difficult fixture became a mountainous task as Brig trailed 3-0 at the break, eventually losing the Tie 6-1

Macclesfield are currently 1 league below Bamber Bridge in the Non League Pyramid, but surely not for long. Their stadium and facilities are superb and matched equally by the quality of the team on the pitch, currently sitting on top Of The Northern Premier League West, they swept Brig aside to progress to the next round of the Trophy.

Bamber Bridge had the first shot of the game, Paul Dawson striking a shot wide of the post in the 2nd minute. That was really as good as it got Brig as just 3 minutes later the hosts took the lead. A raid down the left wing saw the ball squared infield, a first time shot was parried by Felix in the Brig goal but Alex Curren reacted quickest for the home side, slamming the rebound in to the roof of the net.

The early goal rocked The Lancashire Visitors and the Cheshire side piled on the pressure looking for a second goal. Felix made a good save from a long range effort as the pressure built up on the Brig rearguard. Two more chances came and went for Macc before Brig launched a counter attack, Isaac Sinclair unfortunate to see his powerful drive tipped over the bar for a corner. Paul Dawson met the corner but his volleyed effort flew wide.

Brig looked at this stage of the game to be getting a foothold as they pushed the hosts back but Macc were always quick on the break especially down the left hand side were most of their chances originated from. A Fin shot was comfortably held by the home keeper as the game swung from end to end. Before the Brig striker tried his luck again this time the ball clearing the bar, and the stand roof.

With the game heading towards the half time break and with just the one goal in it, Macclesfield effectively sealed the tie in just two minutes, first in the 44th minute from another left wing attack, the ball was played square and slotted home from the edge of the box, and just 1 minute later they added a third. Alex Curren, raced into the box and slotted the ball through the legs Felix Goddard the Brig goal.

A half that the home side had largely dominated but the two late goals really rubbed salt in to the Brig wounds.

Bamber Bridge were back out on the pitch a good two minutes before Macc entered the arena. Brig won a corner straight from the kick off but the ball was headed over the bar from the corner kick. Macc almost grabbed a fourth as Brig lost possession allowing danger man James Berry to race away don the left, his dangerous ball was well cut out by Macca and cleared for a corner. Pondy then got his head to a cross only for the ball to drop over the bar. Brig pulled one back however on the hour, Aaron Skinner striding forward before curling a fine shot in to the bottom corner of the net from 18 yards.

Matt Thomson then made a great block as he got in the way of a fierce drive. And Felix Goddard tipped a shot over the bar before the hosts added a fourth goal. Brig again guilty of conceding possession their right, leading to a swift left wing Macc attack, the ball being squared to the right and lashed home

Maccs number 11 James Berry was having a field day as he constantly tormented the Brig defence with his surging runs down the left wing. Brig made a double change, bringing on Danny Forbes and Vaughn Green in place of Dave Perkins and Harry Scarborough. By this stage of the contest however the home side where rampant and Brig were unable to stem the tide. On 70 minutes, The Silkmen added a fifth. Berry again the provider, setting up a close range shooting opportunity that was duly dispatched.

Pondy received a yellow card as frustration set in before Brig made a final change, with Fin making way for Kade Ratchford. With the tie won, the home side eased off and the game drifted towards conclusion, but they still had time to add a 6th goal in stoppage time. Berry again crossing for Maynard to tap home from close range.

Full time and the hosts take their place in the hat for the next round. A very comfortable victory in truth from a side playing at a level in the non league pyramid way below the abilities of their playing staff. With the superb facilities and backing they have, Macclesfield AFC will soon be knocking on the door of the Football League again.

For Bamber Bridge, the FA Cup and FA Trophy is over for another season, and we concentrate on The Northern Premier League, not forgetting of course a tasty Lancashire Cup encounter coming up at Lancaster City.

Full Time: Macclesfield FC – 6 Bamber Bridge – 1

Bamber Bridge: Goddard, Patrick, Skinner, Thomson, Wilson ©, Pond, Sinclair, Perkins, Scarborough, Dawson, Sinclair Smith

Substitutes: Forbes, Ratchford, Riding, Green