Brigg v Barnsley

Last season Brigg managed to finish above the Reds as they mounted a last minute push to finish in third place to make sure they made the cut for the new league structure in Division Three. This season however has been a totally different story with the Reds now intensifying their promotion bid. In the return fixture the Reds ran out 6-3 winners and looked like it was going to go the same way in the fixture. From the off Barnsley were on the front foot as Louis Raine was the first to bring a fine save out of the Brigg keeper. Next to test him was Connor Massey, shortly followed Dave Wright but neither could convert the chances. It was beginning to look like it was going to be one of those afternoons for the Reds as the Brigg keeper was in fine form. Luckily for the Reds Brigg didn’t have much going forward especially with an inspired Ian Massey who was dominating at the back for Barnsley. The Reds were starting to overplay the ball when they were on the attack and Wright squandered a couple of chances. The Barnsley players thought they should have been awarded a couple of flicks, never mind short corners. First was on C. Massey who was taken clean out before he could take a shot on goal but the umpires didn’t see anything wrong with the stick between his legs that lead to him been sprawled out on the deck. Next was a foul on Wright who was the ham between Brigg bread and butter but again the umpires didn’t see anything wrong with the challenge. Next James Shaw was blown for a lifted ball in the shooting circle after some 3D skills nowhere near any players. The Reds could see that this was going to be the theme throughout the game. It wasn’t until the last minute of the first half that the Reds were finally awarded a short corner after the ball hit a Brigg defenders foot in the D. As the half time whistle went the Reds put everyone up for the short to give them the best chance of converting. The ball was played out perfect by Kieran Ryan to Wright who waited for the defender to commit and then he slipped the ball to J. Shaw who slapped the ball under the keeper into the back of the net.
In the second half Brigg had the 40mph wind up their backs giving them the slight advantage for the second half. The Reds players carried on with the way they went about the game in the first half, utilising the pace of Massey and Raine on the counter attack. Some of the play was halted though after players were caught out with the very bouncy pitch. Massey and Wright both had their chances to convert but Wright took too long on the ball when faced with an open goal and allowed the defender to get back and make the last ditch tackle. Next Raine had a great opportunity after some great play but he placed his shot wide of the goal, compensating for missed chances earlier in the match. The Reds then lost Chris Shaw after he received a green card for deliberately stopping play after he lost his stick. Barnsley were now sitting deep in the last minutes of the game and Brigg nearly equalised but the shot went just wide. Then feeling the pressure Wright gave the ball away with only seconds remaining but Brigg couldn’t make anything of the chance and Barnsley cleared the ball to C. Massey who again forced a save out of the Brigg keeper.
Another tough battle for the Reds but they keep the pressure on Thirsk with only a handful of games left. Man of the match was awarded to Ian Massey for his dominant display at the back for the Reds.