Bamber Bridge 2 – 2 Mickleover FC
The on-loan star came up with the goods in the dying embers to make it four games unbeaten for the Briggers. It follows a tough past few days for everybody involved with the club after a fundraiser was set up in order to support the day to day running of such a wonderful establishment.
Mickleover were the visitors to the SFC Stadium, with both sides in the hunt for a playoff place, Brig made three changes as Jamie Milligan and Co go in search of a fourth straight league victory.
Mickleover on the other hand, made one change with Danny Benson coming in from the start as they look to follow up a comprehensive four nil win against Blyth Spartans last time out.
It was the home side who started the game the brightest. As a well worked corner routine resulted in Jack Baxter crashing his effort off the post, with his follow up inches wide.
Lucas Weaver had an early chance for Brig, whilst Mickleover skipper Ryan Wilson went close at the other end.
After the early flurry of chances, both sides settled well into game trading spells of possession to no avail.
The away side had a golden chance on the half hour mark as Andy Dales raced in behind the Brig defence, before his attempted chip over the keeper spiralled wide of the post.
Danny Edwards rising effort shortly after epitomised the half’s proceedings thus far, with both sides enjoying plenty of chances without truly testing either goalkeeper.
As the half came to end, so did the goalmouth action. With both sides feeling each other out before, the referee called an end to first half proceedings with little to separate either side.
For all Brig’s possession it was the away side who broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute.
A wicked cross from the Mickleover skipper was met by the head of Stuart Beavon. His headed effort crashed against the bar with Marcus Barnes in the right place at the right time to tap in from close range.
A free-kick routine straight from the training ground gave Brig the chance to respond immediately, but Chris Churchman’s effort was comfortably wide of the Mickleover goal.
The Visitors spared no time in doubling their lead, after Simon Grand was booked for a cynical challenge on the edge of the Brig area. The Mickleover captain Wilson buried his free kick into the bottom corner past the despairing James Pradic.
In response, Brig shuffled the pack with Billy Bould being withdrawn for Adam Dodd. Pushing Billy Hasler-Cregg up top.
Mickleover also looked to the bench with Jahvan Davidson-Miller entering proceedings and Stuart Beaven making way.
With 73 minutes on the clock Lewis Hey dragged his effort narrowly wide of Yusuf Mersin’s goal.
That would be Hey’s last action of the game as the latter, Billy Hasler-Cregg and Danny Edward’s made way for Liam Brockbank, Macauley Wilson and Alex Kenyon.
The substitutions saw yet another tactical change with Simon Grand partnering Lucas Weaver up top as Brig look to claw themselves back into the game.
The change almost saw a way back into the tie for Brig, with Grand’s knockdown met by Michael Potts, whose effort inside the area was superbly saved by Mersin.
Cieron Keane and Kieran Flavell went into the referee’s book late on for a rash challenge and dissent respectively.
In the dying embers, Potts squandered a golden opportunity as his unmarked free header was wide of the target.
However, not content to go down without a fight, Weaver latched onto a Baxter long ball before coolly chipping Mersin in the Mickleover net to give Brig a lifeline as the game entered additional time.
With barely a minute to play, it was that man again Lucas Weaver, the hero for Brig. Liam Brockbank’s superb delivery was met by the diving Lucas Weaver sending the Brig faithful into raptures.
A week of hardship, togetherness and the Brig spirit rounds off with a fantastic 2-2 draw against Mickleover FC as the lads keep the pace with the teams around them in the pack for the play-offs
Next week the lads head to Guiesley AFC in the FA trophy looking to stay 5 unbeaten in all competitions.
Match reporter: Ernie Bretherton
