A pinpoint strike from Alistair Waddecar and a fabulous team goal, rounded off by man of the match Matty Kay, ensured Brig took all three points from their fellow Lancashire opponents.

The contest suffered a largely uneventful second half, but the opening period provided a great deal of entertainment for the 147 people who were in attendance.

Curtis Thompson had the chance to put his side in front just before the 10-minute mark when he found himself one-on-one with Burscough ‘keeper Tim Horne, but fired wide of the right post.

The away side’s left-back, James Short, saw his free-kick graze Lee Dovey’s right-hand post after causing confusion among the Brig defence on 13 minutes, which was during a period in the game where Burscough were causing some problems for Neil Crowe’s side.

Brig were, at times, perhaps, guilty of giving away possession too cheaply to their opponents. But on 20 minutes the ever-present Matt Lawlor had the ball in the back of the net after Alistair Waddecar’s corner-kick found the centre-back’s head. Referee, Nick Greenhaigh, disallowed the goal, though, after awarding the visitors a free-kick for an alleged foul by Lawlor.

George Bowyer executed a potentially goal-saving challenge five minutes later, when Burscough forward Danny Smith looked like he would give his side the lead after finding himself with just Lee Dovey to beat – but the Brig full-back showed his determination and commitment to prevent that from happening.

But it was the home side who took the lead on 39 minutes. Chris Marlow, who put in a brilliant shift both in defence and attack, weaved his way down the right side of the pitch and pulled the ball back to Waddecar on the edge of the box – who produced a fantastically well-placed shot into the bottom right corner of the Burscough net.

And going into the final minute of time added on, Kay made it 2-0 to his side following some mesmerising build-up play. Those in attendance may have even believed they were, indeed, excusing the cliché, watching Brazil.

Matt Mahoney gained possession just inside of the away side’s half and delivered a low pass to Alex Taylor on the edge of the box, who superbly rolled the ball under his foot to Lennie Reid, and he brilliantly repeated the same piece of skill which fell to Kay – who fired the ball home from 20 yards out to round off what will more than likely be one of Brig’s best goals this season.

That late first-half goal may have taken the stuffing out of Brig’s opponents, but to their credit they looked threatening for a majority of the second period.

Neil Crowe’s side had their appeal for a penalty turned down on 58 minutes after Taylor appeared to have been dragged down by a Burscough defender – denying him what looked like a clear goal-scoring opportunity.

A majority of the play was in the middle of the park for a large part of the second-half, and it wasn’t until the final minute of the game that either side created a clear-cut opportunity.

Kay and Zach Clark produced some fantastic link-up play on the right wing which allowed Marlow to produce a cross to the back post – where Jerome Watt was waiting – but he fired wide.

Waddecar came close with seconds remaining on the clock when his low cross from the left drifted just wide of the left-hand post, but the referee blew his whistle shortly after to signal the end of the contest.

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Attendance: 147

Teams:

Bamber Bridge

1 – Lee Dovey

2 – Matt Mahoney

3 – George Bowyer

4 – Matt Lawlor

5 – Roberto Boniminio

6 – Matty Kay (capt)

7 – Lennie Reid (Clark – 62’)

8 – Curtis Thompsone

9 – Alistair Waddecar

10 – Alex Taylor (Watt – 82’)

11 – Chris Marlow (Buchan – 77’)

12 – Jerome Watt

14 – Zach Clark

15 – Mark Buchan

16 – Paul Alexander

17 – Greg Johnstone