An impressively strong and experienced Bamber Bridge side powered their way into the play offs at Irongate on Easter Monday with a comprehensive 5-1 win over a Mossley side who were unable to match their hosts impressive form.

But, the Mossley management will have been less than happy with some of the defending that led to ‘Brig’ equalling their biggest home victory of the season and claiming the chance to win promotion via the play-offs.

The rout started as early as the second minute when the outstanding Alistair Waddecar wrong footed Tom Dean to fire into the far corner from ten yards.

Mossley were struggling to gain a foothold in the game playing into a strong breeze with the home side mounting plenty of pressure on Chris Thewlis’ overworked Lilywhites defence.

Wayne Welbeck had Mossley’s best chance of an equaliser but his effort was well saved by Lee Dovey.

Waddecar and man mountain centre forward Greg Johnston were causing Mossley plenty of problems but the visitors held firm until the stroke of half time.

Mossley had just lost left back Andy Brown to injury and when substitute Danny McDonnell fouled Waddecar on the touchline, the resulting free kick saw centre back Matt Lawlor climb highest to power home a header.

With the wind now at their backs Mossley would have hoped to make a bigger fist of things in the second half and for a little while it looked like they might, especially with the 58th minute arrivals of Dougie Carroll and Tom Pratt increasing Mossley’s attacking options.

However, Brig increased their lead on 61 minutes when Waddecar finished superbly with an angled drive after cutting inside McDonnell.

Three became four just three minutes later when Johnstone got his huge frame on the end of a right wing set piece to give Thewlis no chance from ten yards.

Mossley responded with a goal of their own in the 72nd minute with Dougie Carroll netting his 17th goal of the season with a fine solo goal, rounding the last defender before calmly slotting home from a tight angle.

It was too little too late for Mossley though as the home side rounded off an important victory as man of the match Alistair Waddecar looped a great shot over Thewlis to complete a memorable hat-trick.

Mossley were resilient enough to deny Brig any further scoring chances but, if taken as a benchmark, this performance gives Bandy and Lloyd a clearer picture of the work to be done over the summer in order for Mossley to compete with the top sides next season.

Report by Wizard

Dougie Carroll