MATCH REPORT
Burscough 2 Bamber Bridge 1 (after extra-time)
Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy 2nd Round
at Irongate
Tuesday 4th December 2007
By Dave Rowland
Bamber Bridge went out of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
to a goal scored deep in extra-time following a hotly disputed
corner-kick in this highly entertaining cup tie. The Irongate
side had put in a tremendous performance against their lofty
hosts with a battling display at Victoria Park and left
with their pride intact despite the defeat.
The on-form South Ribble side took to the field contesting
their 16th cup tie of the season. They were looking for
a second win over neighbours Burscough after having knocked
‘The Linnets’ out of the FA Cup in the Second
Qualifying Round at Irongate at the end of September. Brig
were also hoping to extend a five-match winning run. Burscough,
who are two steps above Bamber Bridge in the National League
System, have experienced a drop in form in recent weeks
due to an injury crisis. However, they were hoping to continue
with the sort of performance that saw them achieve a point
against Conference North high-flyers Kettering Town at Victoria
Park on Saturday. Burscough are current holders of the Lancashire
FA Challenge Trophy, having beaten Marine 2-1 at the County
Ground in last seasons Final.
A home draw in the Third Round against North West Counties
League First Division strugglers Bacup Borough, awaited
the eventual winners.
Brig boss Phil Entwistle made five changes to the successful
side that won so comfortably against Chorley at the weekend.
Damian Dashti came in at full-back replacing Glenn Steel
who was rested. Steve Williams returned to the centre of
the defence, allowing Adam Tong to start at centre-forward
in place of leading marksman Ryan Salmon who was serving
a one-match ban. Mike Fletcher made his first start of the
season following injury, replacing Matty Mahoney in midfield.
John Carroll came in to the right of midfield with Stephen
Brown taking over on the left to replace skipper Alex Porter
who was rested. In the front line, Dave Spencer replaced
former ‘Linnet’ Dave Eaton, who was cup-tied.
The game opened in a bright and breezy fashion with both
sides intent on making further progress in this fine old
county tournament. Brig were first to show within two minutes
when an Adam Tong free-kick from 20 yards slammed into Burscough’s
defensive wall and spun away to safety. The home side responded
immediately and wingman Matty McGinn shot over when well
placed following a long ball through the middle of the Brig
defence.
Stephen Brown was very unlucky on 7 minutes for the visitors
with a fiercely struck in-swinging corner-kick that was
hacked off the goal-line at the back post by full-back Sean
Clancy. Whilst at the other end, Brig goalkeeper Terry McCormick,
did exceptionally well to keep out a McGinn cross-shot at
full stretch.
Bamber Bridge drew first blood on 11 minutes with a goal
that was a little fortunate. John Carroll sent in a dangerous
looking cross from the right following a slick Brig build-up,
and in trying to prevent the ball reaching Neil Spencer
at the back post, EARL DAVIS slid in and turned the ball
into his own net.
McCormick blocked a Matty Parry effort on 16 minutes as
Burscough went in search of an equaliser. The game was evenly
balanced but the home side looked more dangerous when going
forward. Despite this, the visiting defence looked in control,
but were completely undone by a fine set-piece on 32 minutes.
McGinn took a free-kick some 30 yards to the right of goal
and his well executed kick was met by former Northender
ALLAN SMART who sent a thumping header into the far corner
of the net before anyone could react.
Burscough full-back Adam Flynn was just wide from 25 yards
out as Brig struggled to recover their composure. But recover
they did, and comfortably saw out the rest of the first-half
without any serious mishap.
However, Burscough stepped up a gear after the break and
began to menace the visiting rearguard with some lightening
raids. Ciaran Kilheeney came close on 55 minutes when he
turned and shot on the six-yard line but McCormick blocked
the effort with a fine save.
McGinn was very unlucky shortly afterwards when his shot
from distance was deflected onto the cross-bar and so was
Parry when Paul McMenemy cleared his corner-kick off the
goal-line. McCormick bravely saved from Burscough skipper
Chris Price on the hour mark as Brig came under the cosh.
The visitors were defending stoutly but had a narrow escape
on 68 minutes when Parry struck the goalpost with a crisp
drive from the edge of the penalty box. Somehow they survived
a goalmouth scramble before hitting back with some fine
inventive and incisive work of their own.
Following a worthy long range effort by Brown, Tong set
Brown and Phil Watson on a run down the inside-left position
in the 74th minute, but the home defence quickly closed
ranks to snuff out the danger. The visitors grew in stature
and finished the second period the stronger with Burscough
lucky to escape a last minute knock-out blow when goalkeeper
Tony McMillan won a one-on-one with Watson as the youngster
bore down on goal following a neat interchange with Brown
down the left flank.
Extra-time proved just as entertaining as both sides slogged
it out for a place in the Third Round. Burscough substitute
Michael Owens came close on 95 minutes firing narrowly over
from an astute Chris Robinson cross before McCormick pulled
off a great save from a Dave Roberts header following yet
another fine cross by McGinn. Brig were by no means playing
second fiddle and came close twice themselves, first when
a fierce Tong shot was blocked by Farrell Kilbane on 107
minutes and then when a Brown shot was hooked narrowly over
by Watson.
The game was won and lost following a controversial corner-kick
awarded in the 112th minute. The ball had appeared to have
been run out down the left for a goal-kick and was given
as such by referee Mr Johnson. As the players moved away
acknowledging the decision without contesting it, the linesman
raised his flag and the referee changed his mind, much to
the consternation of the visitors. From the resultant corner-kick
taken by Adam Flynn, DAVE ROBERTS turned the ball home from
close in to the great delight of both his colleagues and
the home support.
A flurry of frantic Brig corners in the dying seconds were
all to no avail.
Bamber Bridge: McCormick, Dashti (M Mahoney 66mins), McMenemy, Melling, Williams, Fletcher, Carroll (Edmeads 78mins), D Mahoney, Tong, Spencer (Watson 66mins), Brown
Goals: own goal (11 mins)
Attendance: 167
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