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South Shields
Bamber Bridge
Sat 31 Aug 15:00 - The BetVictor Northern Premier League - Premier Division Full time Attendance 1,231

South Shields 4 - 1 Bamber Bridge

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Alan Bateson reports as The Mariners march on!

A disastrous 8 minute spell towards the end of the 1st half, following a solid opening half hour, crushed any hopes of Bamber Bridge returning from Mariners Park with anything to show from the 300 mile return journey.

Four quick fire goals for South Shields rendered the 2nd half little more than a damage limitation exercise. Brig did recover some pride with a 2nd half display that showed fight and spirit, no further goals were conceded and Ali Waddecar’s spot kick at least reduced the arrears to a 3 goal deficit.

Brig had arrived at the impressive Mariners Park well aware of the likely onslaught from a side with aspirations of climbing out of the Bet Victor Premier league at the top end. With a crowd in excess of 1,200 behind them and a squad boasting several full time time professionals, it was always going to be a tall order for the Lancashire visitors.

South Shields 4 - 1 Bamber Bridge (31/08/19)
21 photos

As expected, it was the home side who made most of the early running, as they passed the ball around the immaculate surface and looked to get through a well organised and resolute Brig defence. Chances were at a premium, but Brig did manage several breakaways leading to half chances, notably A Ryan White snap shot that was deflected over the bar for a corner and then another Ryan White effort when he cut in from the left and curled a low shot towards the far post. However the keeper was alert and made a comfortable save.

South Shields were having the bulk of possession without creating much in the way of clear cut chances, infract it was Brig who came closest in the first half hour when Kieran Charnock stretched out a leg to reach a Joe Booth Freekick. His connection was too good and the ball sailed over the bar.

But, the wheels were to well and truly come off, from the 30th minute when the hosts took the lead with a huge slice of luck, Shields striker Gary Brown tried his luck from outside the area, his shot took a massive deflection, completely wrong footing Lloyd Rigby in the Brig goal and finding the back of the net. The goal completely rocked Bamber Bridge, who simply never recovered their composure conceding a 2nd goal just 2 minutes later, this a low drive following a run from the left wing. Worse was to come, Just 3 minutes later and it was 3-0 and game over. A cross from the left not dealt with and the Shields No.8 gleefully poked the ball home from close range. With Brig not having got into the home sides half since the 1st goal, the final nail in the coffin came in the 38th minute when the North Easterners were award a spot kick for a foul in the box. This was dispatched in to the roof of the net as the stunned Brig supporters watched in disbelief at the absolute collapse that was occurring in front of their eyes.

Lloyd Rigby made two fine saves to limit the damage to four before the referee saved Brigs blushes, by blowing the half time whistle.

The second half was always going to be a matter of Brig trying to recover some pride while hoping that the home side took their foot off the pedal. With Danny Forbes coming on to replace Phil Doughty and Callum Spooner on for Ryan White Brig tried to use the strong wind, now at their backs to regain their composure. Chris Marlow struck a fine 30 yard wind assisted shot that just cleared the bar before on the hour Brig were awarded a penalty for a what lucked a somewhat harsh decision for a foul in the box. Ali Waddecar stepped up to smash home his 1st goal of the campaign.

With the home side content with their 4-1 advantage and Brig desperate not to concede any more, the half drifted to its inevitable conclusion. Lloyd Rigby again made a couple of fine saves and at the other end Daniel Wisdom (twice) saw efforts flash wide of the post for the visitors while an Ali Waddecar header was comfortably saved by the home keeper. The game ended moments after the home side had struck the bar. The damage limitation exercise of the 2nd half being the one positive Brig could take from a game that was never really in doubt from the moment South Shields took the lead.

Bamber Bridge can consider that three of the toughest away fixtures are now behind them, having already visited League Leaders Matlock Town along with promotion favourites Warrington Town and South Shields. A home game this Tuesday against Atherton Collieries gives Brig an early opportunity to get more points on the board before an FA Cup encounter next Saturday away at Trafford.

Full Time: South Shields – 4 Bamber Bridge – 1
Att: 1,231

Bamber Bridge: Rigby, Churchman, Sumner, Doughty, Charnock (Capt.), Booth, Waddecar, Wisdom, Dudley, White, Marlow

Subs: Forbes, Spooner, Ross, Harries, Barton (GK)

Match reporter: Alan Bateson

Match photos: Full gallery of match photos are available on the BBFC Flickr Page

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Team selection

Team selection has not been published for this fixture yet.

League round up

Other Premier Division results

Ashton United
1
1
Matlock Town
Atherton Collieries
3
1
Nantwich Town
Basford United
1
0
Buxton
0
0
Stalybridge Celtic
FC United of Manchester
4
2
Morpeth Town
Gainsborough Trinity
2
4
Hyde United
4
0
Stafford Rangers
Scarborough Athletic
0
0
Warrington Town
1
0
Mickleover

Standings

# Team Pl Pts
11. Gainsborough Trinity 32 42
12. Stalybridge Celtic 33 42
13. Bamber Bridge 33 40
14. Witton Albion 31 39
15. Mickleover 29 38
16. Radcliffe 32 38
17. Ashton United 29 36

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