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Home > 2007-08 Season > Match Reports > Burscough (29.09.07)

MATCH REPORT

Bamber Bridge 2 Burscough 1

FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

at Irongate

Saturday 29th September 2007

By Dave Rowland

Giant-killers Bamber Bridge claimed the scalp of their Conference North neighbours Burscough in this entertaining FA Cup Second Qualifying Round tie at Irongate on Saturday. Brig’s battlers equalled their previous record of 12 unbeaten games to the opening of a season as they outfought and outplayed their stylish visitors before coming out on top by 2-1. Burscough pulled a goal back late in the game but it proved too little and too late in stopping the home sides triumphant march into the next round.

This was a thrilling full-blooded tussle encapsulating all the best traditions of the old and revered FA Cup competition and contained everything including two sendings-off near the end as the tension mounted.

Having seen off lower league opponents Oldham Town and Flixton in the two previous stages of the FA Cup, Bamber Bridge were looking forward to pitting their wits against their Conference North neighbours Burscough in the Second Qualifying Round. The South Ribble side were also hoping to equal the club’s previous unbeaten start to the opening of a season which was set in the 1992-93 campaign. Burscough, who have made a fine start to their first ever season in the Conference North, after winning the Northern Premier League title last season, were looking to open their FA Cup campaign with a win after enjoying exemption from the first three rounds of the competition this term.

Brig manager Phil Entwistle made just one change to his successful starting line-up which had won so comfortably against Chorley in the First Round of the League Challenge Cup during the week. Glenn Steel was brought back into the defence replacing Tom Ince who took up a place on the substitutes bench. Burscough were without the services of striker Neil Robinson who was out through suspension and injured pair Michael Tomlinson and Neil Fitzhenry.

The game came to life within minutes of the kick-off when each side struck the woodwork. Lively Burscough winger Robbie Booth saw his cross from the right run along the top of the Brig crossbar after just 4 minutes play whilst Steve Williams did likewise at the other end as the visitors struggled to deal with a series of early Brig corners.

The game was well contested with both sides unafraid of launching penetrative attacks. A particularly creative move by the home side was brought to a halt by a foul on 10 minutes but Danny Mahoney was just off the mark with the resultant free-kick.

Burscough tried to impose themselves on the game with some enterprising play and Farrell Kilbane was unlucky with an effort from close in following a Matty McGinn corner-kick.

Home goalkeeper Terry McCormick then saved at full stretch from Chris Price following a well placed cross from Booth on 20 minutes as the visitors began to play open flowing football.

However, Bamber Bridge were matching their loftier opponents and came close themselves on three occasions. Burscough goalkeeper Tony McMillan kept out a Ryan Salmon half-volley as Brig came on in force. Then a Glenn Steel header was deflected narrowly past the Burscough goalpost following an Alex Porter corner-kick on the half-hour mark. Matt Mahoney went close with a fine drive from 20 yards after a neat lay-off by Sean O‘Neil minutes later as Brig grew in stature.

Burscough came back with a flurry and McCormick was on hand to make a brilliant save from the feet of Ciaran Kilheeney on 35 minutes following a fine Booth cross as the game swung from end to end. The Brig keeper then denied Booth comfortably saving the wingman’s fierce drive.

Bamber Bridge took the game to the visitors after the break initiating some fine moves to put Burscough on the back foot. McMillan had to be quick off his line on 53 minutes to snuff out the danger as Salmon latched onto a Danny Mahoney through-ball. McCormick saved under his crossbar as Burscough countered and the game was turning into a thriller.

The home side were putting the visitors under increasing pressure as the game wore on and they were rewarded for their efforts on 77 minutes, even though the breakthrough came as a result of a penalty.

Burscough’s central defender Farrell Kilbane handled a cross from Brig substitute Neil Spencer with club skipper Alex Porter confidently blasting home the resultant spot-kick giving Burscough goalkeeper McMillan little or no chance of saving.

Galvanised by the goal, Bamber Bridge went in search of further success and deservedly doubled their account six minutes later. A sweeping move down the left flank culminated with a swirling cross from Porter on 83 minutes which was met by the inrushing Steven Brown who headed past the stranded McMillan much to the delight of the home following.

Burscough looked a beaten side but did manage a consolation in time-added-on when Kilbane scrambled the ball over the line following a Matty Parry corner-kick which caused havoc in the six yard box.

The game became a little heated as the seconds ticked away and Bamber Bridge substitute George Melling, who had just replaced the injured Danny Mahoney, along with Burscough’s Alan Moogan, were sent off after a needless altercation.

However, the day deservedly belonged to the Northern Premier League First Division North outfit who had out witted and outfought their Conference North visitors. It was an exceptionally fine victory for Phil Entwistle and his impressive young braves.

Bamber Bridge: McCormick, Steel, Fleming, Williams, Tong, M Mahoney, Brown, D Mahoney (Melling 89mins), Salmon, O’Neil (Spencer 69mins), Porter. Unused subs: Ince, Caroll, Bishop

Goals: Porter pen (77 mins), Brown (83 mins)

Attendance: 242