Bamber Bridge Vets 3 - 5 Preston North End Legends

Over 1200 fans flooded in to the Sir Tom Finney Stadium yesterday to watch the Bamber Bridge Veterans take on a Preston North End Legends XI in a charity game in aid of former Brig player George Melling and research in to Motor Neurone Disease.

It turned out to be an incredibly entertaining afternoon as spectators were treated to an eight goal thriller.

North End fielded a strong side including Paul Gallagher, Chris Humphrey, John Welsh, Ross Wallace, David Buchanan, Stephen Elliott, Ian Bryson, Chris Holland, Barry Nicholson, David Lucas, David Eyres, Graeme Atkinson, Steve Wilkes, Warren Beattie and former Brigger Jon Macken. Some keen North Enders of a certain age will have also spotted John Thomas amongst the spectators.

Players and their families line up with George Melling after the game.

After an entertaining first half, it looked like the Vets were going to hold the Legends 0-0 going in to the break, however the deadlock was broken on 39 minutes when Ross Wallace fired the Legends in to the lead.

Another two goals followed early in the second half courtesy of Steve Elliot, taking the Legends in to a comfortable 3-0 lead.

However, the Vets rallied and Brig favourite of yesteryear Kenny Mayers popped up with superb looping header to start the fightback.

With Paul Gallagher on the pitch, it was only a matter of time before the Legends restored their 3 goal advantage. The recently retired PNE captain stepped up with a trademark free kick from the edge of the area to make it to 4-1 to the visitors.

Gally fires the Legends in to a 4-1 lead.

The final ten minutes served up even more goal action.

Determined to get in on the act, the Vets Simon 'The Bald Eagle' Carey, blasted the ball in to the roof of the net from 5 yards sending the crowd in the Gerry Lawson stand in to raptures.

Ross Wallace then got his second of the day to take it to 5-2 to the Legends. This was quickly followed at the other end of the pitch when Jon Bolton slotted the ball home to make the final score a respectable and very entertaining 5-3.

Following the final whistle, the guest of honour for the day George Melling came on to the pitch to rapturous applause to present the Legends' captain Paul Gallagher with the trophy.