BAMBER BRIDGE FC

A good performance by Brig just wasn't enough as Leek took home all 3 points

After a tough game, it was the hosts who took all 3 points and extended their unbeaten run to 4 games.

The teams came out and Jack Baxter got us underway at the F Ball community Stadium for a huge 'six pointer'. Despite Brig seeing more of the ball it was the hosts who had the first few chances of the game. A good cross into the box by Hurst found former Bamber Bridge player Taylor Bowen but unfortunately for the hosts his header was guided just wide of the post. Just 2 minutes later Leek had another chance. Referee Alex Rolfe let the game flow after a foul by Baxter on Bowen and it then sent Lucas Weir through on goal. He went 1 on 1 with Casper but Casper then managed to make a tremendous save to deny Weir from 11 yards out.

In the first 10 minutes of the game it was end to end football with both teams having some good chances and looking likely to open the score. Brig had 2 penalty chances waved away. After a good build up play the ball eventually found Bange just inside the box, he then looked to be fouled by tall defender Nathan Okome but the referee waved away any claims for the penalty. Then just 4 minutes later another penalty was waved away. Another good build up found Dodd who drove up the pitch to the Leek penalty area. He then attempted to chip the ball over Edwards to Bange but Edwards looked to handball it, but once again referee Alex Rolfe waved away and call.

It was Brig who had the next big chance of the game. A good cross into the box by Brockbank found Baxter on the edge of the box, he took a touch out his feet before unleashing a good strike but it was blocked by Leek defender Liam Buckley. Potts then tried to get onto the rebound but his volley went way wide of the right post.

On 20' minutes though Leek took the lead. A good run by Campbell played a nice through ball to Reeves on the left side. Reeves then put a great cross into the box which Lucas Weir got onto the end off with a good volley from close range.

Minutes later Brig tried to hit back. A neat pass by Jarrett found captain Potts just inside the box. He got past Adam Porter before taking on the shot but goalscorer Lucas Weir managed to get an important block to push the ball just wide of the left post. With 27' minutes gone Leek had another chance to double their lead. A Bamber Bridge chance broke down and Campbell slid a ball through for Hurst to run onto, but luckily for Brig Cirino raced back and managed to stop the attak by getting an crucial tackle to stop the target man Hurst.

With just 10 minutes left to go Bange was the first player to go into the referees book after an elbow on Liam Edwards. The last few chances off the half were all in favour of the hosts. Porter did well to win back the ball inside the Brig half before playing a great through ball to Hurst once again on the left side. Hurst then put in another pin point cross which found Bowen, but his header was tipped over the bar by loan keeper Casper. Half Time.

The game restarted and Leek once again managed to carve out some more chances but were denied of a second by a series of saves by Casper. Leek did think they had another after 50 minutes when a clever pass from Campbell found Weir. Weir then took on the shot but Casper did excellently well to reach across goal and stop the shot which Grand then cleared.

As the half moved on Brig started having a few chances and keeping possesion well, but even after 60 minutes the score remained 1-0. Another good Leek move produced another oppotunity on 62 minutes. Buckley, Reeves and Bowen exchanged passes down the right flank to provide a clear crossing oppotunity for Buckley who played a low ball into the near post. Campbell met it with a back heeled flick but his marker Churchman was able to stop the shot and get the ball clear.

Brig thought they had an equaliser just 5 minutes later when the ball was lashed home by Potts and past Parke but the linesmans flag eventually went up for offside. Then Potts was booked for dissent after his mad protests towards the referee. From that chance it had given Brig some momentum to get one back. A good cross into the box by Brockbank was flicked on to the back post where Bange was awaiting. He chested the ball down before unleashing a powerful strike but Liam Edwards made a superb clearance off the line.

Brig were starting to become a real threat to the hosts on 70 minutes after having an abundance of chances. Brig then made a triple change. Churchman, Jarrett and Potts all came off to be replaced by Cullen, Hey and new signing Emerich Poilly.

The substitutions by Brig made a real impact on the game as all 3 had a big chance. A scramble inside the Leek box was eventually cleared away to Hey.

Hey returned the ball back into the box for Grand. Grand's header came off the bar and fell to Cullen. The 32 year old Mark Cullen then tried an audacious attempt at an overhead kick but it was punched away by Goalkeeper Xander Parker.

Leek then had a huge chance. A ball over the top by substitute Ollie Shenton found the former Brig player Taylor Bowen who raced through on goal, but Simon Grand made a remarkable challenge inside the box which he had to get right.

With just minutes left Brig had a few chances to nick a point away from home. A godd cross into the box by Poilly found the feet off Cullen but his shot went just over the bar. The very final chance was a penalty call which was waved away once again by the referee. A ball over the top by Cleary found Bange who looked to have his shirt pulley by Heywood but the referee denied any shouts for a penalty. Full Time

Bamber Bridge are next in action next Saturday when Jazzy Shirt Day returns for when we travel to playoff pushing Worksop Town, 3:00 Kick Off

Casper, Cirino, Baxter, Dodd, Grand, Brockbank, Churchman, Potts, Bange, Cleary, Jarrett

Cullen, Poilly, Hey, Kenyon, Bould