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Home > 2008-09 Season > Match Reports > Newcastle Blue Star (08.11.08)

MATCH REPORT

Newcastle Blue Star 0 Bamber Bridge 2

Northern Premier League 1st Division North

at Kingston Park

8th November 2008

By Joe Marchant

If the 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Blue Star at Irongate in August was the low point of the season, this coupon-busting win in the north-east is the high point.

Blue Star are widely tipped as title winners and their home record is impressive. Three wins and a goalless draw at Kingston Park. Sixteen goals scored with just the one conceded. The home side have been free-scoring both at home and on their travels, averaging three and a half goals per game in the league campaign so far.

With Brig boss Phil Entwistle back in charge after his business trip overseas, he made four changes to the side that took on Garforth Town last weekend. Down to the bench went Dave McCann, Steve Brown and Mike Mason whilst Danny Mahoney was suspended. Replacing them were Steve Flitcroft and Stuart Howson returning from injury and suspension respectively, and there were also recalls for Ryan-Zico Black and Anthony Murt.

Brig lined up with an unusual, but effective 5-2-3 formation, whilst Blue Star, perhaps mindful of Brig’s recent scoring exploits opted for a more cautious 4-5-1 line-up.

The first-half was fairly cagey as both sides tried to figure out how to overcome the tactics of their opponents. Goalmouth chances were at a premium. Former Queen of the South midfielder Steve Bowey’s up and under ended with Paul Brayson shooting into the side netting.

Home keeper Dan Lowson required some treatment after falling awkwardly having punched an Adam Tong free-kick straight up in the air.

Brig created a great opportunity on the half-hour mark as Howson’s ball was headed on by Tom Ince to Neil Zarac who sped away down the left and his well-struck, dangerous low ball fizzed across the face of the Blue Star goal with the sliding Alex Porter unable to get a touch on it.

Blue Star were looking to take advantage of set-pieces and Peter Snowdon headed David McTiernan’s free-kick over at the far post.

In a reverse of the move from earlier, Porter dashed down the left flank and his tempting low ball across the box was fractionally ahead of the on-rushing Zarac.

Lowson then saved a Porter shot from the edge of the box. Another McTiernan free-kick was headed wide by Steve Salvin at the far post. Brig had enjoyed the better of the first 45 minutes.

Neither side made any changes at the interval and Brig resumed where they left off. Zarac slipped it through to Murt who ran on and shot wide.

Andy Banks’ goal-kick was headed down by Zarac to Porter whose first-time shot flew inches wide.

Blue Star created an opportunity on 65 minutes with a crossfield move just outrside the box prompted by Bowey via Brayson to Keith Graydon but the shot went inches over the bar.

Brig took the lead a minute later. A long Tong throw down the left to Murt ended with NEIL ZARAC showing great composure to blast home from a couple of inches out.

Bowey out to overlapping full-back Darren Craddock on the left and Glenn Steel headed his cross clear for a corner.

On 79 minutes Brig substitute Steve Brown took it to the byeline and played a short ball in for Porter, his cut-back left Black to curl his shot only for Lowson to save.

This was the prelude for Brig’s second goal after 80 minutes. The home side were caught with the ball on the edge of the penalty area and RYAN-ZICO BLACK was alert enough to nip in to dispossess a Blue Star defender, advance a few steps towards goal and fire past Lowson.

With seven minutes remaining McTiernan found Brayson who turned in space but fired his shot across goal and out of play past the far post.

On 86 minutes Brown made a weaving solo run from the halfway line until he was unceremoniously brought down just outside the home penalty area. The Brig free-kick sailed over the bar.

With a minute of normal time remaining Brayson found McTiernan outside the box but his shot was deflected for a corner.

Despite five minutes of added time being played, Brig survived without any further dramas to record a well-deserved win. An impressive team performance, and every single player played his part, responding to inspirational tactics from Phil Entwistle.

Newcastle Blue Star: Daniel Lowson, Darren Craddock, Peter Snowdon (James Dudgeon 81mins), Chris Carr, Stephen Baker, Dion Raitt (Stuart Nicholson 63mins), Keith Graydon (Tony Stephenson 76mins), Steve Bowey, Paul Brayson, Steve Salvin, David McTiernan. UNUSED SUBS: Jamie McGlen, Martin Walker

Goals: -

Bamber Bridge: Andy Banks, Collin McAllister, Tom Ince, Stuart Howson, Adam Tong, Glenn Steel, Ryan-Zico Black, Steve Flitcroft, Neil Zarac (Steve Brown 74mins), Alex Porter, Anthony Murt. UNUSED SUBS: Dave McCann, Michael Mason, Mark Edmeads

Goals: Neil Zarac (66mins), Ryan-Zico Black (80mins)

Attendance: 94