Bamber Bridge 1 - Salford City 2
Bamber Bridge fell to a late penalty loss in a friendly against football league opposition in Salford city on Friday night.
It would be the visitors with the first opportunity of the game Connor McAlaney sending an effort high over the bar after some neat work by Kelly N'Mai.
Moments later Salford would have the lead. N'Mai did well to keep the ball alive down the left-hand side before sending a low cut back across the box, the ball was met by the onrushing Junior Luamba who walloped the ball into the back of the net.
It could easily have been two for Salford several times following the goal. Brigs trialist goalkeeper called into action to squander N'Mai and then twice keep out Marcus Dackers the second a fine diving stop. The trialist would be called into action again this time to keep out a powerful McAleny shot.
Brig came close to a leveller trialist number 7 keeping a cross in play before crossing into Bailey Thompson, but the forwards connection was not enough to beat Salford's goalkeeper Jamie Jones.
Dackers would have an excellent opportunity to double Salford's lead ten minutes before the end of the half. Goal scorer Luamba charging down the left and delivering an almost perfect cross, but the striker’s side footed finish bounced well wide.
McAlaney seemed determined to find a goal for his side teeing up an audacious long-distance effort, but the shot did not have enough curl to find the top right corner of the goal and the teams went into the half just one goal separating the sides.
It did not take Salford long in the second half to get going Kevin Berkoe with a floated cross into the box met by a powerful Dackers header which was matched by the Brig goalkeeper.
On the hour mark both managers elected for changes Brig nine Salford ten. It would be Salford’s substitutes who had the first impact Kyrell Malcolm beating his man and finding Cole Stockton in the box, but the striker's header bounced wide of the post.
The change in personal brought more possession for Brig with trialist number 19 breaking down the left before playing a deft through ball to Thompson whose shot was kept out by the outstretched leg of Jones.
From the resulting Michael Potts corner Jack Baxter would find Brig's leveller. The ball broke to the Brig man at the far side of the box, Baxter’s first effort blocked but his second flew through the horde of bodies and into the back of the Salford net.
Brig began to keep control of the ball and could have snatched the game with 5 minutes to go. A Potts lofted through ball fell to Max Caine who had beaten the offside trap, but he could not keep his effort on target.
With just 2 minutes left of the game Salford were awarded a penalty for a foul on Malcolm. The ball was given to Stockton who sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and powerfully placed the ball into the left corner of the goal to win the game for the visitors.
Brig will continue preseason with an away friendly at Barnoldswick Town on Tuesday, while the reserves take on Hearts B team at home on Sunday.
Match reporter: Noah Mills
