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Home > 2007-08 Season > Match Reports > Newcastle Blue Star (18.08.07)

MATCH REPORT

Bamber Bridge 1 Newcastle Blue Star 1

Northern Premier League 1st Division North

at Irongate

Saturday 18th August 2007

By Dave Rowland

On the opening day of term new boys Newcastle Blue Star took advantage of a defensive error in the final minutes of the match to gain a precious point in their first ever game in the Northern Premier League at a rain-soaked Irongate.

This was a very entertaining game played with skill and passion with both sides showing a good deal of competitive endeavour. For Newcastle Blue Star it was certainly a good guide to the sort of determined opposition they will find at the higher level.

The visitors started confidently and came close twice in the opening few minutes. Chris Emms nipped in at the back post to put David McTiernon’s cross into the side netting before Lee Novak also found the side netting when he should have done better from close in after 5 minutes. Despite this early threat the visitors were to find themselves a goal down after 13 minutes.

A well directed cross from the left by Alex Porter was chested down by Ryan Salmon. Brig new boy Sean O’Neil swivelled and volleyed the loose ball home passed a startled Daniel Lowson in the Blue Star goal for the first goal of the new season. It was an impressive strike.

However, despite the early set-back the north-eastern side settled down to play some slick and attractive football. They were well served by marauding wingers David McTiernon and Chris Emms with club skipper Dave Nichols dictating play from mid-field. Nonetheless, they could not break down a resilient Bamber Bridge defence. Lee Novak came closest to finding the net on 35 minutes but fired over when well placed.

The home team gained in confidence after the break and should have increased their lead on a couple of occasions. Alex Porter just failed to get on the end of a Salmon cross on 65 minutes after the young striker had made a powerful run down the right. A second goal at this stage for Brig would have been enough to have seen off the opposition who continued to look dangerous. Blue Star remained menacing attacking with energy and skill and at times Brigs rearguard was hard-pressed.

A single goal advantage is not a comfortable lead to defend and the home side were made to pay dearly for those missed opportunities in the dying minutes when Blue Star eventually equalised.

On 88 minutes Blue Star gained parity after a period of sustained pressure. The goal came about in bizarre circumstances when Brig goalkeeper Terry McCormick attempted to clear his lines only for the ball to strike centre-half Steve Williams. Novak was quick to pick up the loose ball and gleefully fire into the empty net.

On the balance of play though, a draw was the right result although Bamber Bridge will have been the less satisfied with the final outcome having led from almost the start.

Bamber Bridge: McCormick, Fleming, Dashti, Tong, Williams, Steel, Brown (Ince 77mins), Marsden (Cooper 62mins), O’Neil, Salmon, Porter. Unused sub : McMenemy

Goals: O’Neil (13 mins)

Attendance: 107