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Home > 2008-09 Season > Match Reports > Witton Albion (13.09.08)

MATCH REPORT

Bamber Bridge 1 Witton Albion 2

Football Association Challenge Cup 1st Qualifying Round

at Irongate

Saturday 13th September 2008

By Dave Rowland

An unlucky early setback and a second-half penalty was enough for Premier Division side Witton Albion to spoil the party at Irongate on Saturday as Bamber Bridge celebrated playing their 50th tie in the FA Cup; after first entering in the competition in the 1992-93 season. Despite going two goals down, Brig fought hard; especially in the second period when dominating the game for long periods, and were unfortunate not to claim a place in the Second Qualifying Round after this enthralling cup tie.

Brig entered the fray with confidence following a morale boosting 4-1 victory over Salford City in the league at Irongate on Tuesday night. The South Ribble side were hoping to extend their good run of form after three wins on the bounce recently, including the thrilling Preliminary Round 4-3 success over Welsh side Colwyn Bay two weeks previously. Their Cheshire guests, Witton Albion, were hoping to go a little further in the competition than they did last season, when going out at home to Premier Division rivals Prescot Cables in the First Qualifying Round.

Brig manager Phil Entwistle made just the one change to the line-up that was so successful against Salford City during the week. Crowd favourite, central-defender Adam Tong, who has been sidelined recently with ankle problems, returned to the fold, replacing Stuart Howson who was unavailable.

Bamber Bridge kicked-off in the beautiful autumnal sunshine but it was the visitors who made most of the early running. Ryan-Zico Black brought down Dorryl Proffit just outside the penalty area on five minutes and from the resultant free-kick, taken by former Brigger Scott Willis, Brig goalkeeper Andy Banks made a fine diving save down at his right hand post.

The home side responded well and Alex Porter forced a good save out of Albion goalkeeper Greg Smith with a powerful drive, following some useful work in midfield by Black.

Witton Albion got their noses in front on 16 minutes and there was a touch of fortune about the goal. Another well struck Willis free-kick, from some 25 yards out, came back off Banks and LEE THOMPSON stuck out a foot at the back post to guide the loose ball home.

A few minutes later Albion skipper Rod Thornley was a shade unlucky when he blocked a Banks clearance, only to see the ball run clear and as the visitors increased the pressure on the home goal, Banks tipped over a dipping drive from Thompson. Then Tom Ince headed off the goal-line from a Steve Smith header following a Proffit corner-kick.

However, Brig began to find their feet and came very close to an equaliser on 26 minutes when Sean O’Neil headed narrowly wide from a pin-point Danny Mahoney cross from the left. Bamber Bridge were working very hard to get back on level terms with some incisive play and Mahoney went close with a rasping drive that was deflected wide for a corner-kick. Adam Tong then put Porter away on a dangerous run but the Albion defence quickly closed him down and the chance was gone.

Albion were decisively on the back foot as the half-time whistle approached and were fortunate not have conceded a goal when O’Neil shaved the goalpost with a header from an astute Tong cross before a Black snap-shot was saved by Smith following a fine sweeping move.

Bamber Bridge came out on the offensive in the second-half with a couple of near misses. First, a Mike Mason effort from an acute angle was palmed away by Smith, and then Porter just failed to get onto the end of Tong free-kick. However, Albion broke away and were awarded a penalty when Thompson was brought down in the box as he attempted to round Banks. Although Banks got a hand to the shot, SCOTT WILLIS scored from the spot on 52 minutes, tucking the ball just inside the right hand upright.

Albion almost increased their lead shortly afterwards when Proffitt shot narrowly wide after some good work down the left by Thornley.

The two goal deficit failed to prevent the home side from taking the game to their lofty visitors and their tenacity paid dividends in the 62nd minute with a fine goal. Mason picked up a pass down the left flank before sending in a cross that swept across the goalmouth. SEAN O’NEIL deftly flicked then ball home past the stranded Smith for his fourth goal of the season.

Albion responded and Steve Smith was unlucky when his shot struck the Brig crossbar following a Thompson lay-off.

A Bamber Bridge claim for a penalty was turned aside by referee Mr Mather when substitute Steve Brown went to ground in the box following a mazy run through the visitors defence.

The home side began to increase the pressure in search of parity and the visitors began to look rattled. An Edmeads volley unluckily flew off the shoulder of Porter following a Mahoney cross and then a Porter drive was deflected onto the crossbar by an unwitting defender as the pressure mounted.

Albion came close twice more themselves as, first, Banks blocked a fierce volley from Thornley following a long punt up field by goalkeeper Smith which had caught Brigs rearguard flat footed, and then when a Willis free-kick struck the top of the crossbar.

Brig fought desperately for the elusive equaliser with time running out and Tong came close near the end, firing wide following a slick move through the middle by Porter and Black. However, it just wasn’t their day and Witton Albion joyously took their place in the Second Qualifying Round.

Danny Mahoney, Mike Mason, Ryan-Zico Black and Alex Porter had worked tirelessly all afternoon for Brig with Dave McCann, Glenn Steel and Tom Ince supreme in the home defence. None of them deserved to be on the losing side.

Bamber Bridge: Banks, McCann, Ince, Steel, Tong, Flitcroft (Edmeads 18mins), Black, Mahoney, O’Neil (Brown 63mins), Porter, Mason (Fleming 80mins). Unused sub: Nay, Peterson

Goals: Sean O'Neil (62mins)

Witton Albion: Greg Smith, Paul Donnelly, Gary Scott, Dan Schwarz, Gary Burke, Scott Willis (Ross Thaker 80mins), Steve Settle (Lugsden 71mins), Dorryl Proffitt (Gahgan 88mins), Lee Thompson, Rod Thornley, Steve Smith

Goals: Lee Thompson (16mins), Scott Wills (53mins)

Attendance: 214