Matlock Town 3 -2 Bamber Bridge
Second-half strikes from Josh Granite and Montel Gibson secured all three points for the Gladiators.
Brig made one enforced change with Mark Cullen coming in from the start as Lucas Weaver returned to Altrincham after his red-hot loan spell.
Matlock made three changes as they looked to respond to a one nil defeat on the road to Stockton Town.
Brig started lively and took a deserved lead through Cullen on nine minutes. Simon Grand did well to control the ball before finding Potts, who’s sweetly struck effort ricocheted off the post. Brig’s number 10 Cullen was on the money to tap in from close range to the delight of the travelling Briggers.
The lead didn’t last long as Matlock struck back through Campbell moments later. Clayton’s deep cross from the far side was cushioned across the face of goal by Gibson, with Campbell arriving on cue to guide his header past Davis.
Brig regrouped and unleashed a wave of attacks on the Gladiators’ goal with Ravenhill twice denying Cullen with fine saves before the 20-minute mark.
Matlock still looked dangerous on the break, with Gibson a main role in anything bright for the Gladiators. The ex-Notts County man testing the resolve of the Brig backline on numerous occasions in the opening exchanges.
On the half hour mark, referee King made the games big decision sending off Matlock keeper Ravenhill for wiping out Cullen 30 yards from goal.
Myles Wright was introduced in goal and parried away Churchman’s freekick in his first action of the game.
Matlock dug in as the interval loomed. However, Brig regained the lead and the advantage at the break thanks to Churchman.
Brig’s number seven arrived late onto a Potts squared ball to crash an effort past Wright from 20 yards in the last action of the half.
After a quiet start to the second half, Matlock equalised through captain Granite. A teasing, floating corner from Clayton was met by Granite who rose highest to nod his effort past Davis.
The visitors almost got the lead returned gift-wrapped Wright as his poor clearance was collected by Grand on the edge of the area. Brig’s number nine’s effort failed to truly trouble Wight whose blushes were spared.
Wright produced a fine save to deny Edwards on the hour. With the volley being Edwards last action of the game as Hey was introduced in his place.
The comeback was complete for Matlock on 65 minutes as the tenacious Gibson fired a volley home at the back post after a flick on from Oglesby following another corner.
Brig pushed to get back into the game with Wright forced into action to deny Brockbank from the edge of the area and deal with a few half-chances.
However, Matlock held on to claim an all-important three points with Brig now turning to cup action as Farsley Celtic travel to the SFC Stadium for FA Trophy action next Saturday (16th November).
Match reporter: Ernie Bratherton (@BrathertonE15)
