Chorley 0 - 1 Bamber Bridge (LFA Trophy, 6/11/18)

George Hodgson reports as Brig edge local rivals Chorley in a local cup clash.

A second-half Chris Marlow goal earned Bamber Bridge a 1-0 win over neighbours Chorley in the second round of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy.

It was a tight game in which both sides defended well, but the Brig winger’s left footed strike just after the hour ensured the visitors’ passage into the quarter-final.

As expected of a local derby it began in cagey fashion, but Brig grew into the game and Stuart Vasey came inches away from latching onto Paul Dawson’s long ball over the top of the Chorley defence.

Then with 20 minutes on the clock, the Magpies’ captain Dale Whitham produced an audacious effort from a 40-yard free kick that almost caught Lloyd Rigby off guard.

The game continued in the same vein, but it was Brig who created the first golden chance on the half-hour mark.

Chris Marlow swung a peach of a cross to the back post for Matthew Argent-Barnes, who came inches away from scoring his second goal in as many games when he fired narrowly wide with a right footed volley.

And minutes later it was Vasey who came close again, when his deflected shot from the edge of box looked to be heading in, only for Danny Eccles to get down well and make the first save of the game.

After falling under some pressure, it was the hosts who ended the half the better, with Jake O’Brien firing over on the volley from inside the box after he was well picked out from the right.

HT: Bamber Bridge 0-0 Chorley

Both teams would’ve been content with their first half displays, but five minutes into the second half Chorley ought to have taken the lead.

Stephen Jordan found himself completely free in the box, but the ex-Burnley man could only flash his header from the corner wide of the mark.

That proved to be the only real chance of the half with an hour gone, until Brig stalwart Marlow made the one count that came his way on 61 minutes.

Chris Churchman set off on an explosive run through the middle, he slipped in Marlow down the right and the Brig No.11 kept a cool head to slot beyond Eccles from 10-yards.

As expected, Chorley made changes to try and find a way back into the game, but Brig stood firm and Marlow had a great chance to add another with 15-minutes left.

He pick-pocketed Adam Anson on the half-way line and ran through clear on goal, but his heavy touched allowed Eccles to rush off his line and gather.

The Magpies continued to probe but just couldn’t break through the Brig backline and, whilst they pushed bodies forward Vasey almost wrapped the game up with a close-range volley that was blocked.

That proved to be the last piece of action, as Micky Taylor’s men clinched a hard-earned win in the local derby, to progress through to the Lancashire FA Trophy quarter-final.

Match reporter: George Hodgson (@GHodgsonSport)