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 > Bridlington Town (17.03.07)

2006-2007 Season

Match Reports

Bridlington Town 0 Bamber Bridge 3

Northern Premier League 1st Division

at Queensgate Stadium

Saturday 17th March 2007

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge completed the league double over East Riding side Bridlington Town in this windswept encounter at the Queensgate Stadium with a fine 3-0 win. The South Ribble side had taken three points off the Yorkshiremen as recently as the 3rd of March in a comfortable 2-0 success at Irongate. Brig came alive in the second half with three excellent goals including a brace from Ryan Salmon.

Brig were hoping to follow up the useful 2-0 win in mid-week at home to Harrogate Railway Athletic, whilst at the same time, maintaining the sort of form that has produced three wins out of their last four in the First Division. Bottom side Bridlington Town, who have had a desperately poor season, were looking for only their third win of the campaign.

Phil Entwistle made just one change to his starting line-up from the successful mid-week game against Harrogate Railway Athletic. Danny Mahoney, who recently suffered a recurrence of an injury he had picked up against Bridlington on the 3rd March, was replaced in midfield by Mark Edmeads.

There was nothing to separate the sides in the opening exchanges and it was obvious from the start that the strong swirling crosswind was going to prove difficult for the players. Despite this, the home side were first to show and Tom Carter brought a good save out of Brig goalkeeper David Newnes on 13 minutes.

Salmon was full of running for the visitors and was unlucky not to get himself on the score-sheet following a powerful charge down the right which caught the Town defence flat-footed. The young striker’s shot on the run just cleared the angle of crossbar and post with Town goalkeeper Mick Clarke beaten.

In the 20th minute Salmon was again unfortunate when the Brig front-runner had the ball in the net following good work by Tom Ince, but the effort was ruled off-side. Ince and Alex Porter were again prominent down the flanks with the home defence having to be on top of their game to cut out the threats from either wing.

The Seasiders were well served in midfield where they enjoyed territorial advantage due to the promptings of lively pair Phil Harrison and the diminutive Carter.

Mistakes were inevitable in the blustery conditions and on 32 minutes a flighted free-kick by Harrison was spilled by Newnes but the danger was averted when the defence quickly cleared.

Salmon almost put the Lancastrians ahead a few minutes later when his powerful header from an Edmeads free-kick brushed the top of a defenders head and whistled just over the crossbar.

The wind continued to make good football difficult but both sides were making a game of it. The Seasiders midfield worked hard to create chances but George Melling and Adam Tong were a tower of strength in the middle of the back line for the South Ribble side and the home forwards were unable to penetrate. However, Town almost snatched the lead on the stroke of half-time. A Greg Challender cross fell at the feet of Charlie Bradshaw at the back post, but Newnes bravely dived at the veteran striker’s feet to make a superb save.

Newnes bravery was rewarded straight after the break when Brig unlocked the Seasiders defence for the opening goal of the game. A well directed corner-kick on the left by Edmeads picked out Stuart Barlow on the six yard line and the former Football League striker planted his header beyond Clarke’s reach.

At the other end Tom Greaves shot just wide from a Bradshaw lay-off as Bridlington went in search of an equaliser.

However, Bamber Bridge settled down and began to play with authority, and ignoring the worsening conditions, started putting together some flowing moves. Their creative endeavours were handsomely rewarded with another fine goal on the hour mark. Ince picked up a cross from the right on the edge of the Seasiders penalty box and selflessly laid to ball off for Salmon, who powerfully struck home with a crisp low drive.

The home team responded and lively winger Dean Lackie was proving a handful but his skills were blunted by the excellent Rob Myers.

Bamber Bridge were now in control and playing with confidence and this was underlined with a splendid sweeping move on the right in the 68th minute. Mike Fletcher picked up an astute Edmeads pass before beating two opponents with ease and delivering a neat cross for the inrushing Tong. The big centre-back’s shot from an acute angle was just the wrong side the post.

Brig were calling all the shots as Bridlington’s challenge faded. Ince’s trickery down the right flank was causing consternation all along Town’s back line, whilst deft touches by Barlow brought the best out of pacy front runners Porter and Salmon who were relishing the service provided by the experienced campaigner. Edmeads came close on 87 minutes when he met a cross from Salmon, only for Clarke to bravely deny the young midfielder with a point-blank block on the edge of the penalty area.

However, the eager Brig front runners were not to be denied and on the stroke of full-time we were to witness an extraordinary goal of breathtaking quality from Salmon. A well directed long pass from defence by Adam Tong found Salmon out wide on the right touch line. The determined Brig striker brushed aside the attentions of a defender before looking up to find Clarke advancing from his line. From fully 25yards out Salmon unleashed a powerful shot beyond the beleaguered Town goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net for his second of the game. Indeed, it was a truly remarkable goal.

As the players left the pitch Town’s problems were compounded when Tom Greaves was shown the red card after an altercation with the referee Mr Wilson.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Beech, Myers, Melling, Tong, Fletcher, Ince, Edmeads, Barlow (S Brown 89mins), Salmon, Porter. Unused subs: Fleming and Turner

Goals: Barlow (48 mins), Salmon (60, 90 mins)

Attendance: 111