Bamber Bridge got back on track in the First Division North with this impressive 2-1 triumph at Seel Park against Tameside club Mossley. The success was welcome and was the South Ribble sides first win in the league since taking all three points in the 2-1 victory at Radcliffe Borough on the 10th September.

Brig gave a much improved showing on the disappointing display at Durham City at the weekend, especially in the second-half when they out played and outfought their hosts. The result was all the more impressive in view of the fact that Mossley were on a roll, having remained unbeaten in their previous six league and cup outings.

The visitors kicked off on a pleasant if somewhat chilly evening at Seel Park and opened the proceedings brightly enough. However, the first opportunity of any note fell to the ‘Lilywhites’ after 8 minutes when a fierce drive by lively right-winger, Joe Heap, forced Brig goalkeeper, Lee Dovey into saving low at his left-hand goalpost.

Minutes later Mossley midfielder, Ben McNamara, saw his worthy effort tipped around the post by Dovey after he had exchanged passes with full-back Tom Ingham on the left.

Bamber Bridge took the lead on 11 minutes with their first meaningful chance of the game when Alex Porter slipped the ball through to Ryan Salmon who tucked the ball into the corner of the net past Mossley goalkeeper, Martin Pearson.

The goal galvanised the visitors who quickly went in search of further plunder with some slick moves and Luke Atherton almost got his name on the team sheet after 14 minutes when heading inches wide from a well delivered Porter corner-kick.

The game was being played at a very high tempo with both sides knocking the ball around at speed, but Brig looked the more menacing with their skilful penetrative approach play.

Despite this, Mossley got back on level terms on 24 minutes with a superb goal. Lee Rick deftly lofted the ball over the visiting back line and before any defender could react Lee Costantine turned on the proverbial sixpence, before shooting a low drive beyond Dovey from the edge of the penalty-box.

Mossley were being well served in midfield by Rick and McNamara; they’re probing workmanship was causing Brig problems down the middle. Dovey kept out a fine drive from centre-forward Kayde Coppin on 35 minutes as the home side tried to impose themselves on the game.

However, Brig were more than a match for the Tamesiders and restored their lead on the stroke of half-time with a well worked piece of audacity. On 45 minutes Alistair Waddecar gently rolled a free-kick from the left-hand edge of the Mossley penalty box into the path of the unmarked Alex Porter some twenty yards from goal. The Brig wingman riffled a low shot through the crowded goalmouth and into the far corner of the net for his first strike of the season much to the delight of the small band of Brig supporters behind the goal.

Mossley were presented with a gilt-edged opportunity of levelling matters straight from the re-start when Heap caught the visiting defence cold by putting Coppin through on goal. With the goal at his mercy and with Dovey stranded, the striker shot timidly wide. It was a mistake that would ultimately cost his side dearly.

Bamber Bridge soon recovered their composure and began to hold court on opposition territory as their confidence returned following the ‘Durham experience’. A sweeping three man move on 57 minutes almost unlocked the home rearguard when Alex Porter set the overlapping Chris Marlow away down the left flank. Marlow found Salmon in space some twelve yards from goal and Salmon’s volley cannoned off the back of a defender and bounced behind for a corner. Minutes later Waddecar was desperately unlucky to see his drive from wide out on the right just clear the crossbar as Brig began to build the pressure.

With Waddecar and full-back, George Bowyer, constantly probing the home defence down the right and with Marlow and Porter also casing problems on the opposite flank, Mossley were at their wits end in keeping their goal secure.

As the home team slowly began to run out of ideas and with Brig skipper Michael White and the impeccable Luke Atherton dominant at the back, the visitors became increasingly dominant.

Pearson made a fine save on 75 minutes from a rising Waddecar drive following some excellent work by Salmon and the visitors were able to see the game through comfortably and deservedly collected all three points.

Report by Dave Rowland
www.bamberbridgefc.co.uk

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