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Home > 2008-09 Season > Match Reports > Durham City (17.01.09)

MATCH REPORT

Bamber Bridge 0 Durham City 5

Northern Premier League 1st Division North

at QED Stadium, Irongate

Saturday 17th January 2009

By Dave Rowland

Bamber Bridge were completely undone following a scintillating display by a Durham City side brimming with skill and confidence. Brig did not play badly though, but looked a little rusty early on due to the effects of a long layoff. Durham took advantage, and were two goals up within the opening ten minutes. Inevitably, from that point on the South Ribble side were always chasing the game.

Brig were keen to get back into action after not having played for over three weeks; their last game being the Boxing Day derby at Chorley. They were looking to get back on track following a run of four games without a win. Indeed, the South Ribble side, who have shipped 20 goals during those four games, have slipped down to third in the First Division North table due to a combination of postponements and the dreadful 1-3 defeat at Christmas against their struggling neighbours Chorley. League newcomers Durham City, who won the Northern League title by a ‘mile’ last season, arrived at Irongate without having had their colours lowered in the league so far this term. However, ’The Citizens’ will have been smarting after going out of the FA Trophy against Conference North side Southport in the Second Round replay at Haig Avenue during the week.

Brig manager Phil Entwistle made several changes to his starting line-up from the Boxing Day debacle at Victory Park. Colin McAllister came in at right full-back to replace suspended Jamie Nay and new signing Ged Smith took up the left-back position replacing Ryan Bowen who, in turn, replaced Tom Ince on the left of midfield. Allan Fleming filled in for Steve Flitcroft and Danny Mahoney did likewise, replacing the unavailable Ryan-Zico Black. Sean O’Neil led the front-line in preference to Anthony Murt.

Durham City kicked off and soon got their noses in front when, on five minutes, Steven Capper, overlapping down the left flank, found GAVIN COGDEN unmarked in front of goal, and the eager striker dispatched his shot beyond Andy Banks in the Brig goal. Allan Fleming denied Cogden a second goal shortly afterwards with a timely tackle, as the Durham man bore down on goal. Before the home side had time to recover, they found themselves two down on 10 minutes, when the industrious Cogden put in TOMMY ENGLISH who finished off in style, flicking the ball home past the stranded Brig goalkeeper Banks.

Brig began to shake off their rustiness and produced some neat and inventive play before Alex Porter came close with a free-kick. Things looked bad for the home side on 19 minutes though when the visitors were awarded a penalty after Ged Smith was, somewhat harshly, adjudged to have handled in the area. However, justice seemed to have prevailed when English shot wide from the resultant spot-kick.

Brig found their rhythm with some smart moves and Stephen Brown warmed the hands of City goalkeeper Craig Turns with a cross-shot on 25 minutes.

‘The Citizens’ came back in earnest with some slick and controlled football and deservedly increased their lead just past the half-hour mark when GAVIN COGDEN scored his second goal after neatly volleying home a defensive clearance from distance.

Despite the three goal deficit, Brig kept plugging away and came very close to reducing the arrears a couple of times just before the break. Adam Tong struck the goalpost following a Sean O’Neil head-on on 42 minutes, before O’Neil came close himself following a Tom Ince lay-off.

Durham had a reasonable claim for a penalty waved away by referee Mr McDonald on the stroke of half-time when Glenn Steel appeared to flatten Cogden as the visiting striker raced in on goal.

Brig opened the second period in lively fashion and Neil Zarac had a drive tipped around the post by City goalkeeper Craig Turns following a good run and cross by Ince from the left.

However, the visitors stepped up a gear and played some of the best football seen at Irongate this season. Danny Mahoney headed a Lewis Dodds volley off the goal-line on 55 minutes and Banks saved with his feet from Cogden following an English free-kick.

There was no denying the impressive visitors and JON TOFT, who had been the instigator of a good number of the visitors raids, got on the score-sheet himself on 58 minutes when blasting home from the edge of the box. ’The Citizens’ showed just why they have done so well in the higher grade this season after winning promotion as Northern League champions last term. They greatly impressed by turning on the style as they went in search of further plunder. Brig goalkeeper Andy Banks came to the rescue on the hour mark when denying Steven Richardson in a one-on-one duel, before Cogden skimmed a shot beyond the far post following a neat interchange of passes between Toft and Richardson.

To their credit, Brig continued to make a game of it and from a Porter corner-kick on 70 minutes Tong headed just wide of goal. Sean O’Neil who had dropped back into defence just before the break due to Allan Fleming having had to retire injured, performed well in helping to keep the Durham onslaught at bay.

At the other end English found Toft on the left hand edge of the area but the midfielder could not get quite enough height on his flick and Banks snuffed out the danger.

Brig responded and a Porter cross was almost put into his own net by Durham central defender Michael Laws, but Turns was alive to the danger with a smart save. Turns was again in action a few minutes later when he was forced to push aside a long range effort by Smith following a Porter free-kick.

‘The Citizens’ were playing some delightful football and not surprisingly scored a fifth in the 84th minute. Banks turned away a Toft cross-shot following yet another flowing Durham move and LEWIS DODDS was on hand to turn the ball into the empty net.

Both sides had chances in the closing stages, of what had been, a very entertaining game which had been played in a good spirit throughout. It is doubtful though that Brig will come up against a better side than Durham City in the First Division North this season.

Bamber Bridge: Andy Banks, Colin McAllister (Tom Ince 40mins), Ged Smith, Allan Fleming (Neil Zarac 44mins), Adam Tong, Glenn Steel, Steve Brown (Michael Mason 75mins), Danny Mahoney, Sean O’Neil, Alex Porter, Ryan Bowen. Unused subs: Mark Edmaeds, Anthony Murt

Goals: -

Durham City: Craig Turns, Stephen Harrision, Steven Capper, Lewis Dodds, Ian Dixon, Michael Laws, Jon Toft (Shaun Bell 85mins), Calvin Smith, Steven Richardson (Stewart Morris 82mins), Gavin Cogden (Adam Johnson 63mins), Tommy English. Unused subs: Jake Richardson, Jimmy Farrell

Goals: Gavin Cogden (5mins), Tommy English (10, 33mins), Toft (58mins), Dodds (84mins)

Attendance: 167