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Home > Archive > 2006-07 Season > Match Reports > Radcliffe Borough (31.10.06)

2006-2007 Season

Match Reports

Bamber Bridge 6 Radcliffe Borough 3 (After Extra Time)

Northern Premier League Cup, 1st Round

at Irongate

Tuesday 31st October 2006

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge moved through to the Second Round of the League Challenge Cup competition when overcoming Premier Division side Radcliffe Borough by 6-3 in extra-time in this exciting Irongate encounter after fighting back from 1-3 down in the second half.

Brig took a welcome break from league matters and were hopeful of a return to winning ways following the disappointing defeat at home to Ossett Albion in the First Division on the previous Saturday. Radcliffe Borough were also thankful for the diversion, having struggled somewhat in the Premier Division this term. Indeed, they had secured a meagre two points in their last four outings in the league.

Manager Andy Whittaker made four changes to his line-up from the Ossett Albion game at the weekend. New signing from Altrincham, George Melling made his debut replacing central defender Jamie Squires who was unavailable due to work commitments. Midfielders Neil Reynolds and Steve Brown were preferred to Paul Roberts and Jimmy King whilst Ryan Salmon took over from Karl Noon in leading the attack.

The home side made their intentions known early on when Greg Brickell shot just wide on 5 minutes following a Steve Brown through-ball.

However, the visitors soon got into their stride and began to set the pace with some neat football. Brig were forced onto the back foot but defended stoutly as the pressure steadily mounted.

The game was turned on its head on 19 minutes when Steve Brown broke up a promising ‘Boro’ build-up after winning the ball on the half-way line. He then launched forward on a menacing run which took him into the heart of the visiting defence before threading a neat ball in to Brickell who turned and shot giving visiting goalkeeper Any Johnson no chance to save.

The goal seemed to take the zip out of the Premier Division side and Brig began to take the intuitive. Mike Fletcher opened up the visitors back line with a searching through-ball on 35 minutes but Salmon failed to take advantage of the opportunity.

Five minutes later Chris Downey brought Brig goalkeeper David Newnes into action with a crisp shot from the right as ‘Boro’ responded.

Just before the interval Brickell went close twice as Bamber Bridge looked to increase their lead.

The home side started the second-half disastrously when Fletcher brought down Downey inside the penalty box on 51 minutes and the tall ‘Boro’ striker dusted himself down before confidently dispatching the resultant spot-kick.

This gift lifted the visitors and they began to take their hosts to the cleaners before Downey claimed his second goal after running through a static Brig defence and firing past Newnes.

Bamber Bridge pulled themselves together and following a couple of half chances almost equalised on 65 minutes when a Steve Brown free-kick was tipped over the crossbar by Johnson.

However, Radcliffe increased their lead on 71 minutes when Ryan Fisher forced his way through the Brig defence to set up Downey who claimed his hat-trick firing across Newnes and into the far corner of the net.

Brig fought back gallantly and pulled a goal back on 76 minutes when Brickell put substitute Noon in on goal with a deft flick and the diminutive striker neatly planted his shot past the advancing Johnson.

With Brig now in full flow the equaliser was not long in coming. Brown found himself in space out wide on the right on 85 minutes and his pin-point cross found Porter who sent in a delightful header beyond Johnson’s reach.

After 10 minutes of extra-time Brig reclaimed the lead when a Brickell shot from a Brown cross was palmed away by Johnson, the loose ball falling to the lurking Porter who blasted home from close range.

‘Boro’ were then reduced to nine men when central defender Ian Kearney was sent-off for a second bookable offence. Hat-trick hero Downey had retired injured some time earlier and had not been replaced due to there being no substitute available on the visitors bench.

Brig took full advantage to run in a couple of more goals, the first on 110 minutes when Porter got his hat-trick volleying home a Noon cross. Three minutes later the rolls were reversed when Noon scored his second blasting home a Porter cross delivered from deep on the right.

To there credit the nine men fought on bravely and never gave up the fight.

Bamber Bridge: Newnes, Fleming, Fletcher (Archer 59mins), K Brown, Melling, Reynolds (Roberts 72mins), S Brown, Mahoney, Salmon (Noon 76mins), Brickell, Porter.

Goals: Brickell (19 mins), Noon (76, 113 mins), Porter (85, 100, 110 mins)

Attendance: 109