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Home > 2008-09 Season > Match Reports > Colwyn Bay (06.09.08)

MATCH REPORT

Colwyn Bay 0 Bamber Bridge 1

Northern Premier League 1st Division North

at Llanelian Road

Saturday 6th September 2008

By Joe Marchant

Brig overcame both their opponents and the elements to record a fine win at a windswept Llanelian Road but it took a penalty save from Andy Banks deep into stoppage time to secure the points.

The two sides met just seven days ago in the FA Cup at Irongate with Brig winning that game 4-3. Brig boss Phil Entwistle made two changes from that side. Adam Tong and Mark Edmeads dropping to the bench. Stuart Howson made his Brig debut, and there was also a first Brig start for midfielder Steve Flitcroft. Making a welcome return from New Zealand was winger Steve Brown who took a seat on the bench.

Colwyn Bay boss Steve Pope made three changes from last week’s starting line-up. Down to the bench went former Brig striker Andy Moran as well as Matt Wood, and Danny Hughes went out completely. Carl Frost, Wayne Corden and Luke O’Mahoney replacing them.

Brig were kicking into the teeth of a very strong wind blowing straight in off the bay and both sides struggled to adapt to the conditions for the opening ten minutes or so. Chances were at a premium and each side came close with free-kicks. Firstly Steve Aspinall fired one across the Brig box with no-one able to apply a finishing touch. At the other end, home keeper Matty Parry safely collected Alex Porter’s effort with Flitcroft ready to pounce on any fumble. Solid defending restricted Bay to a Carl Frost shot from outside the box that was comfortably caught by Banks.

Howson played a good ball over the top finding Porter in space on the left but his shot from out wide landed on the roof of the net. Minutes later Porter wriggled into the Bay penalty area from the right but his cutback went agonisingly inches behind Sean O’Neil.

Brig were denied on 35 minutes when Glenn Steel’s far post header from a Ryan-Zico Black corner was headed off the line by a Bay defender.

Brig finished the half the stronger side and Black’s crossfield ball was met by a thunderbolt strike from Tom Ince that was bravely headed clear by Scott Lycett.

There was an early scare for Brig after the interval when O’Mahoney’s cross from the left was fumbled but Howson safely cleared.

Brig netted what turned out to be the decisive goal on 49 minutes. Zico whipped in a corner at pace from the Brig left and SEAN O’NEIL nodded home at the far post.

Brig’s tails were up and they were looking to add to their advantage. Ince had a good run down the left and he cut the ball back to just outside the home penalty area where Zico shot wide.

Dave McCann strode forward and belted in a 40-yarder that Parry tipped over. Not to be outdone by his counterpart, Banks then turned an Aspinall drive over his bar following an O’Mahoney cross from the left.

With twenty minutes remaining, Parry pulled off another fine save from Porter’s well-struck 25-yard free-kick, whilst at the other end Aspinall’s free-kick was charged down in the Brig box.

Brown was introduced and showed some typical trickery to cut in from the right and tee up Porter whose low shot brought another good save out of Parry.

In the final couple of minutes, Parry produced two more outstanding saves to keep out Tong’s shot after a delicate through ball from Danny Mahoney, and then a Zico rocket.

Three minutes of added time were signalled, and with just thirty seconds remaining, the referee spotted a McCann handball inside the Brig box and pointed to the spot. Apparently Steve Aspinall has a great record taking penalties, but Banks guessed the right way and pulled off a good save low down to his left.

A richly deserved win for Brig who defended well in the face of very difficult conditions and were denied more goals by an inspired display from the home goalkeeper.

Colwyn Bay: Matty Parry, Steve Aspinall, Scott Lycett, Neil Coverley, Tim Brandreth, Wayne Corden (Paul Roberts 46), Dean Canning, Robbie Williams, Rob Hopley, Carl Frost (Andy Moran 30), Luke O’Mahoney (Matt Wood 79) SUBS NOT USED: Karl Brown, Steve Pope

Goals: -

Bamber Bridge: Andy Banks, Dave McCann, Tom Ince, Stuart Howson, Glenn Steel, Steve Flitcroft, Ryan-Zico Black, Danny Mahoney, Sean O’Neil (Adam Tong 75), Alex Porter, Mike Mason (Steve Brown 71) SUBS NOT USED: Mark Edmeads, Allan Fleming, Joe Peterson GK

Goals: Sean O'Neil (49mins)

Attendance: 281