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Home > Archive > 2006-07 Season > Match Reports > Buxton (23.09.06)

2006-2007 Season

Match Reports

Buxton 4 Bamber Bridge 1

Northern Premier League 1st Division

at The Silverlands

Saturday 23rd September 2006

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge’s shortcomings were ruthlessly exposed by a Buxton side, who, after being outplayed and going a goal down in the early stages of the game, comfortably maintained their unbeaten record in the First Division. Despite playing their part, in what was, a very entertaining contest, the South Ribble side lost 1-4 after once again failing to convert the many chances that came their way.

Brig travelled to the Silverlands in the hope of gaining some reward after picking up just a single point from their last three league outings despite having played well enough to have achieved more, whilst newly promoted Buxton were looking to maintain their position in the top three of the First Division table.

Due to injuries manager Andy Whittaker was forced to make two changes from the line-up at home to Bradford Park Avenue during the week. Allan Fleming replaced James Archer at left-back and Karl Noon was selected to lead the attack in the absence of Ryan Salmon.

The game kicked off in the beautiful Derbyshire sunshine with a couple of half chances at either end.

The visitors were first to show after only two minutes when Noon went close from an Alex Porter cross, the ball just running away from the former Prescot Cables man at the vital moment. The homesters responded quickly and their tall right-back Darren Brookes headed over from a Tommy Agus free-kick from the left.

Bamber Bridge swiftly got into their stride playing with purpose and enterprise and took the game to the home side who struggled to wrest control from the pacy Brig front runners. Danny Mahoney, who went on to have a superb game for the visitors, and livewire Steve Brown, continually sent Porter and Greg Brickell on menacing runs through the heart of the Buxton rearguard.

It was no surprise therefore, when the home defence finally succumbed to the pressure on 20 minutes.

A Porter corner-kick was only partially cleared and fell invitingly to Steve Brown who was lurking on the right hand edge of the Buxton penalty area. The Brig midfielder fired in a low shot which fizzed into the far corner of the rigging with ‘Bucks’ goalkeeper Scott Hartley rooted to the spot.

Five minutes later it could have been two when Ross Bain saw his header just clear the crossbar from another Porter delivery deep on the left.

The home team were shaken but soon roused themselves into action and came close twice within as many minutes on the half-hour mark.

After robbing Fleming just inside the right hand apex of the penalty box, Jordan Hall fired goal-wards only for Brig goalkeeper Dave Newnes to scramble the effort around the post. Then Newnes was on hand to keep out a powerful header from Mark Smith after the wingman had connected with an inch perfect cross by Hall.

Buxton were not to be denied for long however, and got on equal terms in the 32nd minute when a Michael Towey pass was tucked away from close range by Mark Reed who’s effort beat Newnes at the near post.

A superb long through-ball by Mahoney put in Noon after 35 minutes but the Brig striker fired over the crossbar.

The home team got their noses in front after 39 minutes when Smith whipped in a centre and Darren Brookes took advantage of some woeful marking to plant his header beyond Newnes.

The visitors came close twice as the half-time whistle approached when Bain found Brickell in space who in turn fed Porter but his shot was blocked. Porter then shot just wide of the far post after Neil Reynolds had done the spadework.

Two more Bamber Bridge chances went begging straight after break, the first after a fine through-ball by Robin Myers had split the home defence. Greg Brickell latched onto it but his low snap shot was easily dealt with by Hartley. Then the Brig striker headed over a Brown corner from close in.

A Brown power-drive was palmed over by Hartley as the Lancastrians went in search of parity.

The visitors were then guilty of two more glaring misses. Brickell shot over from a Brown through-ball when he really should have done better and Porter shot over with the goal at his mercy following a delightful through-ball by Mahoney.

Buxton showed the visitors just how it should be done in the 73rd minute when they went further ahead.

Myers brought down Hall on the edge of the penalty box and Shaun Doxey fired the free-kick into the roof of the net before Newnes could react.

This set-back deflated the visitors and Buxton rubbed further salt in their wounds with another strike on 87 minutes.

Doxey’s cleverly angled pass across the box was flashed home with confidence by a jubilant Reed for his second of the game.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Myers, Fleming, Bain, K Brown, Reynolds, S Brown, Mahoney, Noon (Spencer 65mins), Brickell, Porter (Ince 77mins). Unused Sub: Fletcher

Goals: Brown (20 mins)

Attendance: 456