Home

Club

Events

Contact

History

News

2007-08 Season

Matchday

Club Shop

Commercial

Links

Archive

2006-07 Season

League Table

Player Statistics

Match Reports

Home > Archive > 2006-07 Season > Match Reports > Clitheroe (09.12.06)

2006-2007 Season

Match Reports

Clitheroe 1 Bamber Bridge 2

Northern Premier League 1st Division

at Shawbridge

Saturday 9th December 2006

By Dave Rowland

A double strike by an in-form Ryan Salmon was enough to ensure that Bamber Bridge completed the league-double over Lancashire rivals Clitheroe in this closely fought derby in the Ribble Valley. It was a game of ‘two halves’ with Brig going in at the interval a goal to the good after shading the first 45 minutes and Clitheroe hitting back after the break playing with a good deal of spirit and endeavour. The defining moment came in the 71st minute when Clitheroe striker James Dean was dismissed by referee Mr Law for a second yellow-card offence with the game finely balanced at 1-1.

Bamber Bridge returned to Shawbridge hoping to avenge their FA Trophy defeat suffered there two months earlier when the Blues came back from a two goal deficit to win the tie late in the game. Ironically, newly appointed Clitheroe manager Neil Reynolds was wearing a Brig shirt that day but this time around he was hoping to put one over on his former team-mates in his first game in charge of the Ribble Valley side. Both sides were keen to put some points on the board to avoid becoming entangled in the relegation dogfight in the new year. There is a distinct possibility that relegation may be shelved at the end of the current season due to restructuring but, as yet, this has not become an established fact.

The Irongate side’s leading marksman Alex Porter was again unavailable due to suspension and was serving the second game of a three match ban imposed for his dismissal against League-leaders Buxton on the 18th November. Also out of the reckoning was central defensive pair Kevin Brown and George Melling who have been sidelined recently due to niggling injuries. Brig Manager Andy Whittaker made just one change to his winning line-up from the game against Kidsgrove Athletic on the previous Saturday. New signing Jeff Underwood, ironically from Clitheroe, who put pen to paper only days before the game, came in at right-back replacing Robin Myers who was named as one of the substitutes.

The game opened on a quiet note, unlike the FA Trophy game between the two sides in October, when both teams went at each other with great gusto right from the kick-off.

Brig got into their stride first and moved the ball about with greater urgency than their hosts. Indeed, they came very close to opening their account on 15 minutes when Clitheroe goalkeeper Paul Horridge bravely dived at the feet of the inrushing Salmon to block the effort and had to receive lengthy treatment for his troubles.

The home side suddenly came to life and on 20 minutes when Simon Garner found Dean in space but the tall striker’s snap-shot was easily dealt with by Brig goalkeeper David Newnes.

However, the visitors were playing with greater fluency and their endeavours paid off with a goal just past the half-hour mark.

Brig skipper Jamie Squires set Steve Brown away down the right flank with a superbly struck pass from distance. Brown’s cross caused mayhem in the Clitheroe penalty box and Salmon was on hand to pick up the pieces and slot home from close range.

There was little seen of Clitheroe as an attacking force as Bamber Bridge began to set the pace. However, despite clearly having the upper hand, the visitors weren’t really creating many meaningful chances.

The home side looked a different proposition after the break with a more determined approach and former Brigger Jason Jones came close to an equaliser on 50 minutes when Newnes had to be at his best to keep out the midfielders rocket-shot from just outside the box.

Five minutes later Newnes once again denied Clitheroe when stopping an Ian Johnson effort and then saw Dean hook the rebound over an empty net.

Brig fought hard to wrestle back control and Danny Mahoney saw his volley fly narrowly past the goalpost with Horridge beaten on 57 minutes.

Brig had a near escape soon after when Jamie Squires cleared a Dean effort off the goal-line. However, the Blues were not to be denied and scored arguably the best goal of the game on the hour mark to deservedly grab the equaliser.

Clitheroe’s man-of-the-match Jason Jones pulled a superb ball back across the penalty-box from near the bye-line and substitute Darrel Avery fired home from the edge of the area, the ball entering the net via an upright, giving Newnes no chance.

Unlike the FA Trophy game back in October when Brig had capitulated in similar circumstances, they now showed greater resolution. However, their cause was given an unexpected boost on 71 minutes when Dean was sent off for a second book-able offence just when his side had gained the upper hand.

Clitheroe to their credit continued to push forward in search of the winner but they were completely undone on 78 minutes when Salmon took advantage of some sloppy defending to clinch the points for the visitors with a real opportunists goal. He caught Blues defender Tom Benfield in possession near the right hand side of the penalty area and drew Horridge from his line before bundling the ball home from six yards much to the joy of the small band of Brig followers.

The young Brig striker almost got his hat-trick in the closing stages narrowly heading wide a fine Mike Fletcher cross.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Underwood, Archer, Squires, Fleming, Fletcher, S Brown, Mahoney, Noon (Spencer 78mins), Salmon, Ince. Unused Subs: Myers and Edmeads

Goals: Salmon (31, 80 mins)

Attendance: 236