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Home > 2007-08 Season > Match Reports > Ilkeston Town (24.11.07)

MATCH REPORT

Bamber Bridge 2 Ilkeston Town 1

FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round

at Irongate

Saturday 24th November 2007

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge took their third Premier Division scalp in this seasons FA Trophy with this fine 2-1 victory over their South Derbyshire guests at a wet and windy Irongate in the Third Qualifying Round. Two goals from leading marksman Ryan Salmon, his 15th and 16th of the season, were enough to eliminate a hard working Ilkeston Town side in a tough, hard-fought encounter.

Brig took yet another break from league action, their 15th of the season, as they sought a place in the First Round of the FA Trophy for the first time in three years. The South Ribble side were also looking to extend a good run of form after recent impressive wins; at home over United of Manchester last weekend, and away at Lancaster City during the week. Meanwhile, Ilkeston Town arrived at Irongate on a high following a fine win over second placed Gateshead in the Premier Division last Saturday.

Phil Entwistle was forced into making one change to the successful starting line-up that has done so well recently. Neil Spencer was drafted into the front line to replace new signing Dave Eaton who was cup-tied.
Conditions were not ideal but Brig started well. Ryan Salmon showed his intent as early as the 5th minute when going very close with a header following an astute Alex Porter cross from the left. Then Glenn Steel, making his 100th appearance in a Brig shirt, saw his shot deflected wide when the Town defence failed to clear their lines from a Stephen Brown corner-kick.

Despite this early scare the visitors worked hard and responded well. Midfielder Dougie Wade was just wide from a neat lay-off by Adam Muller on 12 minutes and it was obvious that this tie was going to be a close run affair as the protagonists looked fairly well-matched.

Brig skipper, Alex Porter poked an effort just wide of Town goalkeeper Paul Pettinger’s left hand post when he stretched out a foot to meet a cleverly delivered cross by Brown on 15 minutes as the game began swing one way then the other.

Colin Hunter and the ever dangerous Muller looked menacing going forward for the visitors as they began to impose themselves on the game but they were kept at bay by the resilient home defence. Muller almost broke through on goal in the 40th minute but Brig goalkeeper Terry McCormick finger-tipped the strikers deft flick to safety.

Town were caught out just before the interval when Brig struck with devastating effect. Porter broke clear once more and sent in a well-flighted cross from out on the left. The inrushing SALMON made no mistake heading beyond the reach of Town goalkeeper Paul Pettinger in the 42nd minute to put the home side in the driving seat.
The goal lifted Bamber Bridge and they began to dictate the pace in the second period. However, the South Derbyshire side kept plugging away and were well served by their skipper Justin Walker who had constantly tested the home defence with many probing moves throughout the afternoon.

Hunter fired narrowly over for Town on 55 minutes before a sweeping move initiated by Porter, Salmon and Matty Mahoney almost brought some tangible reward for the South Ribble side.

Neil Spencer almost took advantage of a misguided back-pass from Town full-back Liam Powel in the 72nd minute but the angle was too great and his shot hit the side-netting.

The visitors stepped up a gear and their efforts were rewarded in the 80th minute with an equaliser when player/manager, NIGEL JEMSON, on as a 67th minute substitute, thundered home a header following a cross from distance by the workaholic Justin Walker.

Despite the conditions getting worse by the minute the game remained a close run and absorbing encounter with both sides striving hard for the all important breakthrough.

It was Bamber Bridge who ended the affair in the best possible fashion with the winner five minutes from time. Phil Watson put Porter away down the left flank and the wingman’s resultant centre was powerfully headed home from close in by SALMON who wheeled away in delight.

Bamber Bridge: McCormick, Fleming, McMenemy (Melling 89mins), Williams, Tong, Steel, Brown, M Mahoney, Salmon, Spencer (Watson 82mins), Porter. Unused Subs: Dashti, Carroll, Fletcher

Goals: Salmon (42, 82mins)

Attendance: 174