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Home > Archive > 2006-07 Season > Match Reports > Gresley Rovers (13.01.07)

2006-2007 Season

Match Reports

Gresley Rovers 1 Bamber Bridge 2

Northern Premier League 1st Division

at The Moat Ground

Saturday 13th January 2007

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge completed the league-double over their Church Gresley hosts following a goal apiece from deadly duo, Alex Porter and Ryan Salmon, who have now collected 30 goals between them so far this season. They had to come from a goal behind, scored immediately after the interval, to achieve their second success against the ‘Moatmen’ after having won 4-1 at Irongate at the end of August. It was Brigs second league-double this term and their third away win of the season.

Brig were looking to get back on track following their unlucky defeat at home to Premier Division high flyers Witton Albion in the League Challenge Cup last weekend. Their South Derbyshire hosts, Gresley Rovers, needed the points to stay in touch with the clubs immediately above them in the play-off places in the First Division. The ‘Moatmen,’ who have not kicked a ball since New Years Day, were also looking to extend their impressive ten match unbeaten run in the league and cup, a run that stretches right back to the beginning of November.

Manager Phil Entwistle made just two changes to his line-up from the game against Witton Albion. Danny Mahoney returned after injury replacing young Mark Edmeads in mid-field and Neil Spencer was preferred to Ian Johnson at centre-forward, Johnson taking his place on the bench. Gresley Rovers were lamenting the loss of their leading marksman Aaron O’Connor who had been transferred to Conference side Greys Athletic the week before.

In a bright opening the visitors were first to show when, after 7 minutes, Mahoney collected a Porter throw and fired in a well directed shot which Rovers goalkeeper Tom Whittle did well to tip around the post with a low dive. Then shortly afterwards a promising link-up between Paul Lloyd and Ryan Salmon was frustratingly thwarted by a linesman’s off-side flag.

The visitors defence looked comfortable early on with central defenders George Melling and Allan Fleming confidently snuffing out the threat posed by Rovers main striker Paul Edwards. The home side looked a little rusty, not having been in action for over two weeks, but mid-fielders Carl Slater and Shaun Ridgway kept things going for the ‘Moatmen’ with some neat approach play.

Mahoney was unlucky with a twenty-yard free-kick after 35 minutes which just cleared the Rovers crossbar with Whittle discomforted.

Brig escaped Rovers appeals for a penalty five minutes later when full-back Stuart Horn appeared to block a snapshot by Edwards with his outstretched arms. However, besides this the homesters were struggling to penetrate a resolute Brig defence despite some purposeful forays.

As half-time approached Lloyd forced his way through a static Rovers defence but he let himself down with a poor finish which flashed high and wide when his tenacity and opportunism had deserved a more fruitful outcome.

Whilst the first 45 minutes had produced some excellent football by both sides, overall it had lacked incident. However, all that was to change immediately on the resumption of play when Rovers took everyone by surprise with a goal after just thirteen seconds.

With their first attack of the second-half Rovers wingman Mark Smith caught the Bamber Bridge defence flat-footed with a simple through-ball which found Edwards in space and from close in the burley striker buried the chance giving Newnes no hope of making a save.

The visitors responded immediately and Lloyd brought a brilliant save out of Whittle on 49 minutes after Salmon had set up the chance with a fine probing run and pass.

At the other end Horn was again fortunate to escape vigorous appeals for a penalty when appearing to block a Smith cross with his arms. However, Gresley’s tails were up, and the goal galvanised them into a flurry of activity. Indeed, they went in search of increasing their lead with Smith and Tom Groves prominent, but Brig held their nerve.

After clawing their way back into the game with some enterprising football the South Ribble side deservedly equalised in the 64th minute.

A sweeping move instigated by Mahoney and Jon Smith concluded with Salmon bearing down on goal. The young strikers fierce drive was expertly parried away by the diving Whittle but Porter was following up and rammed the rebound home before the Rovers keeper could recover.

Now it was Brigs turn to turn on the style and they almost got their noses in front when loan signing Smith found his Morecambe compatriot Lloyd in space but the young midfielder snatched at the chance and his effort flew harmlessly over Whittles goal.

Rovers showed that they were still a threat and a Groves pile-driver was bravely headed to safety by Fleming.

However, there was now no stopping Brig. A long sweeping pass from defence by Melling on 77 minutes found Porter free out on the left. The flying winger set off on one of his mazy runs and Salmon smartly headed home the resultant cross at the near post despite the attention of a couple of defenders on the goal-line. A classic match winner!

Things got infinitely worse for the ‘Moatmen’ on 85 minutes when Barry Woolley was sent off by referee Mr Smith for a second book-able offence when he was adjudged to have taken a dive in the Brig penalty area.

Brig substitute Ian Johnson was unfortunate to have a goal disallowed for off-side just before the final whistle. Despite this minor irritation the away following happily embarked on the long trip home delighted that their teams spirited display had yielded all three points.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Myers, Horn, Fleming, Melling, Smith, Lloyd (Ince 89 mins), Mahoney, Spencer (Johnson 72 mins), Salmon, Porter. Unused Sub: Fletcher

Goals: Porter (64 mins), Salmon (77 mins)

Attendance: 268