Radcliffe 1 - 2 Bamber Bridge (FA Trophy, 31/10/20)

The Briggers are back !! Sadly, it looks like we might have to wait a while to be back again with the National Lockdown pending. But after a run of defeats, it was so good to leave the Neuven Stadium with with a 2-1 victory in the bag and a place in the 4th qualifying round of The FA Trophy.

This was the 2nd visit of the month to Radcliffe, the first being a 2-1 reverse in the League fixture in early October. On that occasion Brig were unlucky not to come away with a point. After days of constant rain there was some concern that the match may not go ahead. Tier 3 restrictions also had us assuming there would be no bar facilities available. Not so, and in the words of Rob Melling, “We’re surprised to be here, and delighted they sell beer” !!

Bamber Bridge playing in all red started the first half playing down the slope with a strong wind at their backs. In only the 2nd minute George Thomason tried his luck with a 20 yard daisy cutter that was saved at full stretch by the Boro keeper. The resulting corner was headed out for a 2nd and then a 3rd corner as Brig piled on the early pressure. The wind was playing it’s part however and making it difficult the players of both sides.

On 15 minutes PNE Loanee Joseph Rodwell-Grant making his Bamber Bridge debut found space on the left and delivered an inviting low cross which zipped across the 6 yard line, Rowan Roache just unable to get the final touch. Just moments later however, Brig took the lead. This time a superb left wing cross from Luke Higham was met at the back post by Matt Dudley, who’s downward header whistled past the keeper to find the back of the net. Rodwell-Grant then saw a shot saved by the home keeper before Matt Dudley almost grabbed a 2nd with a chipped effort from 30 yards after the home keeper had raced from his goal. Dudley’s shot just clearing the crossbar.

As the half wore on the home side started to gain a foothold, A shot from distance was headed off the goal line and the rebound effort again headed clear. On the break Brig were dangerous and Isaac Sinclair whipped in a cross from the left which evaded everyone narrowly missing the far post. But the home sides, late pressure paid dividends when they grabbed the equaliser right on half time. A free kick on the half way line was launched by The Boro keeper in to the Brig penalty area, an initial shot was well blocked by Matt Hudson but Jean Louis Akpa- Ackpro pounced to smash the rebound into the roof of the net. As Brig restarted the referee blew the whistle for half time.

The Bamber Bridge team were back on the pitch a good 3 or 4 minutes before Radcliffe emerged from the changing rooms. This was to pay dividends for the Lancashire visitors as within 3 minutes of the restart Matt Dudley slipped a ball through the centre of the Boro defence to Rowan Roache, with the keeper bearing down on him the Brig midfielder slid the ball under the advancing stopper and the ball rolled sweetly in to the back of the net to put Bamber Bridge back in front.

The home side responded and with the wind at their backs pushed Brig back with the visitors resigned to catching the home side on the break. The game was held up for several minutes after a clearance into the crowd struck a lady on the terraces, knocking her to the ground. A stretcher was called for but happily not required. From the restart, a quick beak from Brig saw Joseph Rodwell-Grant do well to keep possession in the penalty area before firing in a shot from wide on the right, the home keeper saving with his legs. Most of the pressure however was coming from Boro as they continually launched the ball at The Brig penalty area. The Brig backline standing firm under the severe test. Matt Hudson twice made smart saves and several Boro shots flew high over the bar before a powerful drive from the left side of the area crashed against the Bamber Bridge crossbar. At the other end a Bamber Bridge free kick just outside the area was struck over the bar by Rowan Roache. Immediately following the free kick. Brig made their first change on 65 minutes, Tunde Bayode coming on to replace Rowan Roache.

Again the home side pushed forward and Matt Lawlor put in a superb last ditch tackle sweeping the ball away from the home striker as he was poised to shoot. Matt Flynn then joined Matt Hudson in the referees notebook, taking “one for the team” as he put a stop to a dangerous situation on the edge of the penalty area. The resultant free kick flashing wide of the post.

Bamber Bridge were defending heroically and throwing themselves at the ball getting blocks, tackles and heading clear from the ariel bombardment of the home side. A rare breakaway saw a Matt Dudley shot clear the bar (and roof of the stand !!) A fine passing move from Boro then ended with a shot again clearing the crossbar. Brigs’ hard work at the back was keeping Radcliffe at bay though and forcing them to shoot from distance.

As the referee signalled 10 minutes of added time Bamber Bridge were dealt a blow when Tunde, who had only been on the pitch 20 minutes was forced off with a re-occurance of a hamstring injury, to be replaced by Daniel Wisdom. That was followed by Goose replacing Isaac Sinclair. The final minutes saw the hosts throw the proverbial kitchen sink at The Brig back line with the Irongate outfit repelling every attack. Matt Hudson leapt superbly at the back post to claim a deep cross. As he cleared the ball upfield the referee brought proceedings to end much to the delight of the Brig, players, staff and small band of supporters. A fantastic gritty performance where the result was really ground out and such reward for Brig and particularly manager Jamie Milligan for never losing faith in their ability to keep to their passing principles.

Make no mistake, Radcliffe threw everything they had at Brig in the 2nd half and “The Briggers” stood firm to record superb victory, progression to the next round and probably more importantly the financial prize of progressing in the competition.

Next up for Bamber Bridge is a long Tuesday night journey to the North East and Morpeth Town. Always assuming of course that we aren’t in lock down by then.

Full Time: Radcliffe – 1 Bamber Bridge – 2

Att: 447

Bamber Bridge: Hudson, Thompson, Higham, Lawlor (Capt.), Flynn, Thommason, Roache, O’Reilly, Rodwell-Grant, Dudley, Sinclair

Subs: Roccia, Yeates, Churchman, Bayode, Wisdom, Marlow