Bamber Bridge 0 - 2 Whitby Town
A first-half Nathan Thomas double secured all three points for Whitby Town against Bamber Bridge at the SFC Stadium.
Thomas opened the scoring inside six minutes as he raced on to a through ball from Oliver Thompson before colliding with Harvey Bardsley, with the ball trickling into the back of the net.
Brig responded well to going behind, enjoying a dominant spell of possession inside Whitby’s territory. However, it was Thomas again who doubled the away side’s lead as he showed cool composure inside the 18-yard-box to slot the ball past Bardsley after a slick breakaway.
With 25 minutes gone, Brig needed a reset and began to play into the channels and force the visitors back into a low block.
The remainder of the first half saw chances for both sides, but none that bore fruit.
Jamie Milligan shifted personnel at the break as Jeff Adubofour entered the fray as Brig changed formation in the hope of unsettling a resolute Whitby defence.
The England Futsal international went close immediately – forcing Shane Bland into a smart save at his near post.
Bland was called into action again as Jack Baxter tested the experienced goalkeeper from distance and reacted quickly to deny Harry Scarborough on the hour mark.
However, Brig’s best chance fell to substitute Chris Churchman, who had entered the field of play after earlier change, replacing Callum Leigh had to be withdrawn due to injury.
Churchman struck a sweet free-kick from 25-yards which forced an outstanding save from Bland in the Whitby goal inside the final 10 minutes.
It wasn’t to be in the end as the visitors defended resolutely in the final stages to secure all three points.
The games are coming thick and fast for Brig as the lads travel to Prescot Cables in a massive game on Tuesday night.
Reporter: Ernie Bratherton (@EBratherton15)
