Bamber Bridge 0 - 2 Morpeth Town
Brig took the first half kick-off in a must win game; with a loss last week against top of the table FC United of Manchester, it meant Brig went into the game against Morpeth chasing an eight point gap for a place in the play-offs.
It was classy end-to-end football from both sides in the early stages of the game and in the 10th minute Brig went close to opening the scoring.
Archie lang took the ball down the right plank and played an excellent trivela pass to a wide open into new loanee signing Jordan Hodkin who cut in behind the defence of Morpeth, released a powerful shot which was deflected onto the bar. Ewan Bange took the ball on the volley but it was cleared off the line to keep the game level.
Aiden Dowling pulled out a spectacular save when a Morpeth corner saw a cross swung into the box that was met with the head of a Morpeth player. The ball looked almost destined to be going into the top corner until Dowling made a full stretch save to tip it over the bar.
With a lack of chances in the first half, Brig’s manager Jamie Milligan opted for as double change during the half time break. Jack Baxter and Bange were taken off for Kofi Moore and Jamie Allen respectively in the hopes that the addition of some attacking options could cause a break in the deadlock.
However, just two minutes into the second half, a penalty was awarded after a handball was made in the box. Nicolas Bollado converted the penalty to take the lead for the visitors.
Milligan urged his players to get up the pitch which proved costly as a missed time clearance from Brig caused Callum Bone to be through on goal. He slid the past Dowling to give Morpeth a 2-0 advantage.
Harry Benns went close to reducing the deficit when Nathaniel Knight-Percival found him on the edge of the box with a long throw in. His shot took a deflection and almost looked like it had beat Morpeth’s number one but his attempt was pushed over the bar keeping it at 2-0.
Milligan’s side kept pushing for a way back into the game but just couldn’t find the end product and the match finished with a victory to Morpeth.
Brig are 9th in the league with their next fixture to be their rescheduled game against Gainsborough trinity on Tuesday evening.
Match reporter: Roan Smalley
