Ashton United 0 - 0
Hurst Cross was the stage as visitors Bamber Bridge earned an important point away to Ashton United as the Northern Premier League starts to take shape.
Brig travelled to an unbeaten Ashton United off the back of a 2-1 defeat at home to Hyde, with Jamie Milligan hoping his men could brush off Saturday’s disappointment and take the fight to the Robins.
Nevertheless, it was Ashton who looked the brighter of the two in the opening stages with a long ball from youtuber goalkeeper O’keefe finding the head of Osei whose flick on was put inches wide by Gilchrist.
This was the story of Ashton’s evening, with the long ball their most effective outlet. Their night got increasingly more difficult, when talisman Jason Gilchrist went down under a challenge from Alex Kenyon.
On in his place was young Benny Couto who didn’t wait long for his first action, whipping a dangerous free kick into the Brig penalty area which was headed high and wide of Michalski’s goal.
With the opening quarter gone the game was in a lull waiting to kickstart into a life.
With Gilchrist making way and the addition of Couto, the Robins changed shape to a 4-2-3-1 with Darius Osei spearheading the side and with that change came the best chance of the half thus far.
Another long ball was met by a Brig mix-up between Squires and Kenyon, setting the onrushing Osei through on goal. His effort from just outside the area crashing against Michalski’s post and the follow up from Hardy looked easier to score than miss as his effort sailed over the Brig goal from six yards out.
With Ashton in the ascendency Brig had two big chances after the 30-minutemark with a Cane cross inches from the onrushing Mollay and the loose ball was picked up by a weaving Baxter whose cross was held by O’keefe.
With Brig’s confidence and influence growing in the game, a poor back pass from the Robin’s centre half Newton forced a collision between Molloy and O’Keefe, with the latter coming out on top.
On the stroke of half-time and as Brig were truly on top. The exciting Couto skipped past a Kenyon challenge down the left hand side, his ball found an open Osei in the area; with the number ten crashing the ball against the post for a second time this evening.
Half-time and the game is in the balance with Ashton and Osei having the best chances of the game, but Bamber Bridge controlling most of the proceedings.
The second half started much like the first with both sides trying to figure the other out, Couto and Cane testing the keepers early on.
Milligan was forced into an early change as Squires came out worst under the challenge of Osei, Simon Grand his replacement. This also allowed for another change with Cregg coming on as well in the place of Ray-Harvey.
In the blink of an eye James Hardy should have put Ashton ahead as a fantastic ball by Osei set the tricky winger through on goal. However, Michalski stood tall to deny Ashton the lead.
Steve Cunningham looked the bench aswell with 6ft 7” Tom Denton entering the foray in the place of Louis White.
With Ashton sitting deep in a low block, Brig fullbacks Wallbank and Brockbank began to pick up lots of the ball and started to dictate proceedings at Hurst Cross.
A throw in deep into Ashton territory for Brig is knocked out for a corner, allowing Jamie Milligan to make a double change up top with Thompson and Cullen coming on for Mollay and Cane as the game enters the final ten minutes.
Fantastic football from Brig who are knocking it around with an ease and confidence of a side three goals to the good. With wave upon waves of attacks met by a resolute Ashton defence.
Brig’s two replacement strikers combined well in the dying embers with the tenacious Churchman’s long ball whiskers from the heads of Grand and Thompson.
With a matter of seconds on the clock McCourt sent a long ball into the Brig area which was routinely dealt with after a succession of fouls were given against the Brig.
McCourt’s free kick was the last action of the game with referee Royston bringing the game to a close with Bamber Bridge taking a point back up north.
Speaking to the press after the game, Bamber Bridge manager Jamie Milligan was delighted with his side especially in the second half.
“Second half I thought we were excellent, I don’t remember them really causing us any problems,
“I’m really pleased with the performance tonight, I thought we were excellent,
“A point away from home against a team that’ll be up there so yeah good point,”
With Brig due to travel to Ilkeston Town on Saturday, Milligan conceded it would be tough battle but find positives in the pitch and personnel.
“It’s going to be a tough one, another good team. But the pitch should suit us,
“I said to the lads in there, I’m not bothered if they mistakes. It doesn’t bother me one bit. They just need to keep believing in themselves, keep being brave and playing exciting football.”
The lads travel to Ilkeston Town on Saturday currently sat 11th in the Northern Premier League after 4 games.
Match reporter: Ernie Bretherton
