Longridge Town 2 -3 Bamber Bridge (LFA Trophy)

Bamber Bridge progressed into the next round of the LFA Challenge Trophy on Wednesday evening with a last gasp winner against Longridge Town in a ding dong battle at The MRG Stadium.

The first half saw the home side start the brighter of the two teams, as they confidently sprayed the ball around what looked a superb playing surface. Brig’s first threat on goal saw ex Bamber Bridge Keeper Lee Dovey, rise highest to punch a whipped in Chris Churchman cross clear and out for a throw in. Just moments later however the hosts took the lead. A long through ball had Brig keeper Danny Roccia rushing from his goal, Town striker Paul Turner reached it first and smartly rolled the ball passed the advancing keeper into the empty net.

Brig struggled to respond as Longridge confidently kept possession. Chances were few and far between for the visitors. Ryan White hit a low drive from a narrow angle but it curled wide of the post, Michael Fowler then tried his luck but his effort blazed well over the bar from the edge of the box. Town themselves weren’t creating much in the way of clear cut chances but came close to doubling their lead towards the end of the half as a shot from the edge of the area took a deflection and flashed past the post for a corner.

The half time whistle came at good time for Bamber Bridge, trailing by just the single goal, the 2nd half left all to play for, and as the teams emerged for the restart it was clear Brig looked a wounded animal as they surged forward right from the kick off. Just 90 seconds in and the scores were level, a scramble in the penalty area ended when Tom Walker drilled a 12 yard shot in to the back of the net. Tails up, Brig poured forward and almost took the lead just two minutes later. Michael Fowler controlled the ball at the far post turned and struck a low shot from close range that Dovey pushed around the post for a corner. From the resulting corner Phil Doughty powered in a fine header that again was well saved and palmed over the bar by Dovey.

Chris Marlow raced through the middle of the park before getting in a shot that was again saved by the Town stopper as he forced the ball out for another corner. Brig made a change just after the hour when Danny Forbes came on to replace Gary Pett. Moments later, a long through ball saw Ryan White racing towards goal, Dovey reacted quickly and got there first to clear the ball upfield, and from that clearance the home side took the lead again. A right wing run saw the ball played square into the path of Dan Birch who thumped it home to restore the home sides advantage.

Brig made a 2nd change as Phil Doughty came off to be replaced by Kieran Charnock and Five minutes later and it was all square again, this time Michael Fowler capitalising on a defensive mix up to steal the ball before drilling a superb shot across the face of goal and into the far corner. The match was now swinging from end to end as Ince’s effort for Longridge was deflected over the bar for a corner. Town then struck the post as a header from a fine cross came back off the upright into the grateful hands of Brig keeper Roccia.

With the game looking like it was heading to a penalty shoot out, Brig won a free kick 20 yards from goal. Up stepped Matt Dudley to strike a superb free kick over the wall and into the bottom corner of the net. Brig were in front for the first time in the match with just two minutes remaining. It was almost level deep into stoppage time but Roccia made another fine save from a powerful strike. The resultant corner was cleared as the referee blew the final whistle.

A fine second half fight back from Bamber Bridge against a very good Longridge Town team sees Brig into the hat for the next round of a competition that they reached the semi final of last season. A confidence booster as well before this weekends trip to face FC United of Manchester.

Full Time: Longridge Town – 2 Bamber Bridge – 3
Att: 215

Bamber Bridge: Roccia, Spooner, Sumner, Doughty, Churchman, Dudley, White, Walker, Fowler, Pett, Marlow

Subs: Rigby, Charnock, Forbes, Waddecar

Match reporter: Alan Bateson

Photo: Matt Dudley fires home the last-gasp winner.