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Home > 2007-08 Season > Match Reports > Lancaster City (20.11.07)

MATCH REPORT

Lancaster City 0 Bamber Bridge 2

Northern Premier League 1st Division North

at Giant Axe

Tuesday 20th November 2007

By Dave Rowland

Two second-half wonder-strikes by Stephen Brown proved enough for Bamber Bridge to overcome the challenge of a determined Lancaster City side at the Giant Axe last night. After an evenly fought-out first-half, Brig showed plenty of character and skill to grind out a deserved win on a night when brave-hearts and a clear sense of purpose were needed. City worked hard throughout and it is a measure of just how far Phil Entwistle’s team have come, when they were able to meet and eventually triumph over enthusiastic and resilient opponents on their own turf.

Brig were looking to continue the sort of display that saw them demolish favourites United of Manchester at Irongate on Saturday. The South Ribble side were also in search of some precious points in the hope of staying in touch with the leading pack in the First Division North. Meanwhile, their hosts, Lancaster City, were desperate to get back on track following three straight defeats recently, two of them at Giant axe.

Due to the special arrangements made for fixtures in the First Division North this season, Lancaster City are one of the opponents that Bamber Bridge are scheduled to meet on three occasions.

Phil Entwistle kept faith with the starting line-up that was so impressively successful at the weekend.
City started brightly enough, taking the game to their visitors with a flurry of early raids. Brig’s defence kept their nerve and comfortably repelled the threatened onslaught.

Bamber Bridge soon began to settle but their usual rhythm was broken up by the resolute ‘Dolly Blues’ midfield and a sold back line ably marshalled by skipper Neil Uberschar and Iain Swan who kept Brig’s leading marksman Ryan Salmon and the lively Dave Eaton in check.

An Alex Porter pile-driver was blocked on the edge of the City box on 15 minutes following a neat build-up down the right flank by the visitors.

However, Brig weren’t having things all their own way. City’s approach play was purposeful and well conceived but the lack of any ‘killer instinct’ was letting them down and as a result most of their forays broke down in the last quarter.

City goalkeeper Mark Thornley dealt with a well executed Stephen Brown free-kick on 20 minutes, whilst at the other end Uberschar shot narrowly wide from distance with the game finely balanced.

The match lacked goalmouth incident to encourage the spectators on an increasingly damp evening with both defences well in control. Dave Foster came close just prior to the half-time whistle for the hosts when he turned and shot just wide of an upright after a promising City build-up on the right.

City again opened proceedings with a flourish at the beginning of the second-half with Brig struggling to get going against opponents who quickly closed them down.

Nevertheless, the visitors began to force the pace with Salmon and Eaton pulling the home defence about with some strong penetrating runs. Brig’s efforts were rewarded with a fine goal just after the hour mark. STEPHEN BROWN picked up a loose ball some thirty-five yards from goal and advanced menacingly onto the retreating City rearguard. He deftly skipped through a couple of desperate challenges before unleashing a low crisp drive beyond Thornley’s reach from the edge of the penalty area.

The young Liverpudlian almost grabbed a second a few minutes later when he tested Thornley with full-blooded drive.

City visibly wilted for a time, as Brig began to play with a swagger and the South Ribble side went further ahead on 69 minutes with another outstanding goal.

Porter put in a cross from the left following a flurry of Brig pressure and BROWN brushed aside the attentions of a defender on the edge of the box before delivering an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net with Thornley left routed to his goal-line.

To their credit the home side kept plugging away and they came close on 73 minutes when Brig goalkeeper Terry McCormick had to come off his line quickly to deny Neil Marshall as the wingman moved in for the kill after being put in down the left.

Thornley did likewise at the other end to keep out Salmon after a neat through-ball from Eaton. Brig poured forward confidently with Brown, Porter and the ever-improving young midfielder, Matty Mahoney prominent.
City enjoyed their best spell of football in the last ten minutes playing with panache and McCormick was called upon to make a crucial save in the 85th minute when saving an effort from Foster with his feet.

Foster was desperately unlucky moments later when shooting inches past an upright following a fine run and cross from the right by Aaron Helliwell.

However, Brig comfortably saw out the rest of the game without any mishap to collect three more precious points.

Bamber Bridge: McCormick, Fleming, McMenemy, Williams, Tong, Steel, Brown (Dashti 89mins), M Mahoney, Salmon, Eaton (Spencer 76mins), Porter. Unused Sub: Melling

Goals: Brown (62, 69 mins)

Attendance: 209