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Home > Archive > 2006-07 Season > Match Reports > Eastwood Town (11.11.06)

2006-2007 Season

Match Reports

Bamber Bridge 4 Eastwood Town 3

Northern Premier League 1st Division

at Irongate

Saturday 11th November 2006

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge’s young striker Ryan Salmon helped himself to a hat-trick in this seven goal thriller as the South Ribble side took all three points in the monsoon-like conditions. The ferocity of the weather did little to diminish the entertainment value of what turned out to be pulsating game of football.

Eastwood Town arrived at Irongate hoping to consolidate their position amongst the leading pack in the First Division, whilst their hosts were determined to halt a poor run of form. Indeed, the South Ribble side had lost five of their previous six games in the league. They last tasted victory in the First Division on the 24th of October when overcoming their Lancashire neighbours Clitheroe by 3-1 at home.

The Brig line-up showed a number of changes to that which started the game at Woodley Sports in midweek. Graham Bennett took over the goalkeeping responsibilities due to Dave Newnes having fallen foul of Woodley’s plastic pitch with an ankle injury. Steve Brown and Danny Mahoney were restored to midfield and Ryan Salmon was preferred to Greg Brickell in attack with Brickell taking his place on the bench.

The home team shrugged off the atrocious conditions and struck as early as the first minute when Salmon capitalised on some good work down the right by Steven Brown and Tom Ince to shoot home from close range.

This set-back seemed to galvanise the visitors who equalised on 9 minutes with a wind assisted free-kick from Badgers full-back Chris Shaw who’s punt into the box was missed by everyone and bizarrely bounced into the net past a bemused Bennett.

There was a determination about the way Brig were going about their business as they took the game to the Nottinghamshire side with a passion.

Despite the tempest that raged around them, both sides showed plenty of skill and endeavour and Bamber Bridge got their noses back in front after 22 minutes. Ince opened up the Badgers defence with a fine run down the right and his cross was slotted home from close in by Neil Spencer who then had to leave the field injured being replaced by Brickell.

Ten minutes later Town grabbed their second equaliser when Deon Miekle neatly threaded the ball through to Adam Kerley who finished with style, firing beyond the reach of Brig goalkeeper Graham Bennett.

With ever deteriorating conditions this had become a game for brave hearts and to their credit both sides stuck to their tasks playing some excellent football to entertain the crowd.

Determined play by the Lancashire side brought its reward just prior to the break when they once again went into the lead. A Steven Brown free-kick found Paul Roberts on the edge of the Badgers penalty box and the midfielder touched the ball on for Salmon to drive home though a crowd of defenders.

With the wind now at their backs after the break Bamber Bridge began to call the shots and increased their lead on 60 minutes when Salmon claimed his hat-trick. A Danny Mahoney free-kick was knocked on by Steven Brown and Salmon bravely dived in to send his well directed and powerful header past the exposed Town goalkeeper Ian Deakin.

Despite this Eastwood remained focused and showed just why they are doing so well this term with some fine creative play.

Shaw struck home a fine volley from distance on 81 minutes but the effort was ruled out for off-side and the player was cautioned for his protestations.

However, Badgers were not to be denied and pulled a goal back two minutes later. A clever flick-on by Kerley put in substitute Lindon Miekle on 83 minutes and he finished in style rifling a superb shot past Bennett.

Lindon Miekle was desperately unlucky in the dying moments of the game when his drive beat Bennett but got stuck in the mud right on the goal-line and Brig full-back Allan Fleming was able to hack the ball away to safety.

In a grand-stand finish Badgers centre-back Gary Breach was dismissed by referee Mr O’Neil, getting a straight red card following a robust challenge on a Brig forward. He had also been booked earlier on in the game.

Despite the Badgers impressive efforts to get something from the game, Bamber Bridge comfortably hung on for a well deserved victory.

Bamber Bridge: Bennett, Fleming, Fletcher, Melling (Roberts 35mins), K Brown (Noon 45mins), S Brown, Ince, Mahoney, Spencer (Brickell 22mins), Salmon, Porter

Goals: Salmon (1, 44, 60 mins), Spencer (22 mins)

Attendance: 143