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Home > 2009-10 Season > Match Reports > Market Drayton (03.10.09)

MATCH REPORT

Bamber Bridge 4 Market Drayton Town 0

Football Association Challenge Trophy Preliminary Round Replay

at QED Stadium, Irongate

Tuesday 13th October 2009

By Dave Rowland

Injury-hit Bamber Bridge earned the right to meet Premier Division side Frickley Athletic in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy this coming Saturday after this sparkling 4-0 triumph over Shropshire outfit Market Drayton Town in the Preliminary Round replay at Irongate last night. Despite the comfortable margin of victory, Brig were made to work very hard against their skilful and workmanlike guests, who played some measured and inventive football throughout.

The South Ribble side went into this replay knowing full-well that the outcome was by no means certain following the hard fought encounter in Shropshire just over a week ago. However, Brig were determined to enjoy a change in fortune, having failed to win any of their last five outings. They were also extra keen to win through to the next stage of the competition, having made little significant progress in the tournament in past years. Market Drayton Town arrived for their first ever game at Bamber Bridge, looking to get back on track following a 0-4 defeat at Rushall Olympic in the First Division South on Saturday. They were also left reeling following the departure of manager Simon Line to Southern League Premier Division side Hednesford Town last Thursday, and then following the loss of influential central-defender, Grant Goodhead, who followed him to Keys Park.

Brig were down to the bare bones with eight players unavailable for one reason or another and boss Tony Greenwood was forced to make five changes to his line-up from the game against Rossendale United at the weekend. Chris Marlow came in at left-back to replace the injured Lee Pryers, whilst Mathew Bell, who was returning from injury himself, came in at centre-half to cover for Colin McAllister who was serving a one-match ban following his recent dismissal at Marine. Skipper Phil Robinson was still unavailable. Ryan-Zico Black took over in midfield from new signing Jerome Watt, who was not eligible for the tie. Phil Denney returned to lead the line in the absence of injured Craig Sargeson, who broke down during Saturday’s game against Rossendale United, and young was Shane Oldfield was drafted in to partner Denney up front, in place of Phil Eastwood, who also picked up a knock at the weekend against Rossy.

The visitors kicked off at on chilly but pleasant evening at Irongate, but Brig were first to show when Phil Denney stung the hands of Market Drayton goalkeeper Andrew Pryce with a rasping half-volley from the edge of the box on just 3 minutes, following a quickly taken throw-in on the left by Lennie Reid. Then full-back James Heywood fired narrowly over the crossbar for the home side minutes later after a good run at the visiting defence.

Market Drayton responded with a couple of dangerous corner-kicks but Bamber Bridge got their noses in front on 10 minutes with a fine goal. Shane Oldfield headed on a long ball from goalkeeper Mike Hale and PHIL DENNEY got in behind the defence before unleashing a superbly struck low drive which zipped into the far corner of the net beyond the reach of Pryce for his first goal in a Brig shirt.

Market Drayton came close on 14 minutes after Oldfield had upended Tom Rodgers on the edge of the box and full-back Gary Anslow was inches over with the resultant free-kick.

However, Denney nearly got a second goal for Brig on 27 minutes when he forced his way through the visiting defence and brought the best out in Pryce who saved his shot down at the near post.

The visitors enjoyed a good deal of possession as half-time approached and Rodgers had a snap-shot blocked on the goal-line following an excellent cross from the right by the industrious Nicky Porter. Market Drayton played some delightful football with the speedy Porter prominent, and forced a number free-kicks and corners.

However, Brig came close again seconds before the break when a Ryan-Zico Black effort was deflected over the crossbar by a defender after good work down the right flank by Denney and Heywood.

Market Drayton Town opened the second period in sparkling form and Martyn Davis went very close with a header on 47 minutes following a fine cross from the right by Porter and then Porter again got in another well directed cross minutes later, but Tom Ward’s header met with the same fate.

The visitors continued to test Brig with some enterprising play but fell two behind on 63 minutes with arguably the best goal of the game. Denney set up LENNIE REID in the inside left position and the busy little midfielder moved to his right before spectacularly finding the top far corner of the net from fully 25 yards out with a perfectly placed drive which gave Pryce no chance of saving.

Town kept plugging away and almost pulled a goal back on 67 minutes when Hale brilliantly tipped over a full-blooded drive from Davis following a fine cross by Rodgers on the left. Brig’s back-line held firm, ably marshalled by Mathew Bell, and with both Ashley Dunn and skipper Neil Reynolds dominant in midfield Market Drayton’s star began to fade. Denny powered a header narrowly wide on 73 minutes from a Black free-kick as home side stepped up a gear.

Bamber Bridge doubled their lead in the last five minutes as Market Drayton pondered on their long trip home to Shropshire. Brig‘s new signing, Carl Lomax, was involved in both goals. Having entered the fray with just six minutes left on the clock, the former Oldham Athletic man made his presence felt with some force. He swept a perfectly weighted ball across the face of the Town goal on 86 minutes and ASHLEY DUNN drilled home from ten yards. Two minutes later fellow substitute Phil Watson juggled his way past two defenders on the right before crossing perfectly for CARL LOMAX to side-foot home for his first goal for the club.

Bamber Bridge: Mike Hale, James Heywood, Chris Marlow, Martin Moran, Mathew Bell, Ashley Dunn, Ryan-Zico Black (Phil Watson 87mins), Neil Reynolds, Phil Denney, Shane Oldfield (Carl Lomax 82mins), Lennie Reid (Karl Burke 89minsmins). Unused subs: Colin McAllister, Sean O'Neil

Goals: Phil Denney (10 mins), Lennie Reid (63 mins), Ashley Dunn (86 mins), Carl Lomax (88 mins)

Attendance: 153