Bamber Bridge 2 - 1 Clitheroe (10/04/18)

Brig return to winning ways!

Bamber Bridge bounced back from defeat at the the weekend with a fine 2-1 victory over local rivals Clitheroe on Tuesday night at The Sir Tom Finney Stadium. Just 3 defeats in 21 games leaves Brig in prime position to claim 4th place and and guarantee home advantage in the play offs with just 5 games remaining.

Brig had to come from behind to beat the visitors from The Ribble Valley. A bright start from Bamber Bridge almost paid dividends, when in the 2nd minute Lewis Nightingale struck a terrific 20 yard free kick that cannoned back of the Clitheroe crossbar, mo-ments later confusion in the the visitors defence saw an attempted clearance spin backwards and miss the post by inches, leading to a Brig corner. Brad Carsley was un-lucky when he was 1st to react to a loose ball in the box but the Clitheroe keeper dived at his feet to claim the ball.

Slowly but surely however, Clitheroe got back in to the game and took the lead in the 25th minute with a towering header following a corner. Brig responded from going behind and pushed forward in search of an equaliser. The visitors buoyed by their lead held firm and Brig struggled to create any clear cut chances. As the half wore on the visitors grew in confidence and almost doubled their lead with a free kick on 39 minutes which Lloyd Rigby in the Brig goal did well to smother at the 2nd attempt.

Regan Linney had to be replaced follwing what looked to be a reoccurrence of his recent ankle injury in the 41st minute. Brig stalwart, Chris Marlow coming on to replace the Brig forward.

Half time and the visitors lead 1-0

The Bamber Bridge faithfull where looking for a rousing 2nd half performance, and that’s exactly what they got. Straight from the kick off it was clear that Brig looked a different proposition.

Following early pressure and a succession of corners Brig where awarded a free kick on the edge of the area on 54 minutes, when Lewis Nightingale was tripped. Up stepped Ali Waddecar to curl the ball over the wall and leave the keeper rooted to the spot as the ball flashed in to the the top left hand corner of the net.

Confidence raised, Brig surged forward and just 3 minutes later took the lead. A superb defence splitting pass found Lewis Nightingale racing in to the box, as the keeper advanced, Nightingale calmly picked his spot and slotted the ball in the bottom corner to the delight of the Brig fans behind the goal at the Woodyard End.

Bamber Bridge where now controlling the match and on 62 minutes, Nightingale found himself in a similar position, this time his curling effort drifted just wide of the far post. Moments Later and Adam Dodd was unlucky as he raced through the centre, took the ball around the keeper, but the angle was just too tight and his shot drifted just wide of the net. With Brig now dominating the match, Lewis Nightingale tried a 50 yard effort with keeper well out of his goal but his effort sailed wide of the post. Adam Dodd then saw his header go just wide as Brig piled on the pressure.

Bamber Bridge made two further changes , bringing on Matt Dudley and Hyuga Tanner for Brad Carsley and the Sponsors' man of the match, Lewis Nightingale, as the clocked ticked towards 90 minutes.

Clitheroe never gave in an an gave Brig one or two late scares, Lloyd Rigby, being called in action to make a couple of smart saves late on before the referee brought pro-ceedings to a close.

A fine 2-1 victory for Bamber Bridge who once again showed great character to come from behind to take the points.

Full time: Bamber Bridge - 2 Clitheroe - 1

Att: 202

Brig: Rigby, Vasey, Dodd, Lawlor (c), Charnock, Potts, Waddecar, Roscoe, Carsley, nightingale, Linney

Subs: Milligan, Marlow, Tanner, Dudley, Dogherty

Match reporter: Alan Bateson