Hall Road guarantee play-off spot

Hall Road Rangers are guaranteed at least a play-off spot after winning 4-0 against Brigg Town.

Although Brigg beat table toppers Pontefract Collieries on Tuesday, they had no such luck this time. Hall Road won 4-0 to ensure they will reach the play-offs or go up automatically.

Brigg made no changes to the side that defeated Pontefract.

Sam Belcher shot just wide before Hall Road scored an early goal. Brigg failed to clear their lines leaving Joe Cooper with a simple finish from 10 yards.

Brigg suffered another early setback as Joe Lamplough limped off injured in the 15th minute. He was replaced by Anthony Bowsley.

Gareth Owens launched a long throw into the box and Ash Dexter connected with a header that Dan Waring saved. Dexter then headed over from a free kick by Chris Spinks.

At the other end Dexter did well to block an effort by Nathan Peat.

Spinks and Cooper then came close as the first half drew to a close.

Hall Road picked up where they left off in the second half and were rewarded with goals in quick succession.

First Spinks fired in an outstanding free kick from 25+ yards. Barely a minute later he turned provider whipping in a corner for Dexter to head home.

Within moments of the restart Spinks raced clear and was thwarted by a great save from Waring.

As Hall Road continued to dominate Dexter headed just wide before Archie Brown curled a free kick over.

Brigg never gave up and Nathan Plumtree had a 20-yarder saved by Phil Dobson. However, they conceded a fourth goal late on.

It came in the 81st minute when Dexter headed in his second from Brown’s corner.

Hall Road could have won 5-0, but Cooper missed a good chance before Harry Speck made a goal line clearance to deny Owens. They were happy with 4-0 and an excellent performance though.

Brigg found it very difficult despite their best efforts.

Joint manager Nathan Peat wasn’t thrilled with the performance.

“It was a mixture of Hall Road playing well and us not being great.

“They were stronger and out-battled us in most departments. It was harder when Joe Lamplough went off injured early on and we struggled to get to grips with the game.

“The goals we conceded were avoidable and three of them came from set pieces. Hall Road have scored a lot from set pieces this season and we spoke about that in the dressing room before kick off.

“I’ve been to watch them a few times and knew they’d be very good. They stand every chance of winning promotion this season.

“I think our man of the match was Jacob Norburn. We recently signed him and he has made a good first impression at the club.

“We’ll need a big improvement against Dronfield on Tuesday.”

On Tuesday, Brigg visit Dronfield Town in the league (kick off 7:45pm).

Brigg (4-4-1-1): Waring; Norburn, Peat, Bingley, Cleminshaw (Speck 71); Ryley Thompson, Lamplough (c) (Bowsley 15), Dennison, Ryan Thompson; Petch (Plumtree 66); O’Malley.