Bamber Bridge Vets 3 - 7 Preston North End Legends

A fabulous Sunday afternoon's entertainment was layed on by the The Bamber Bridge Veterans v The Preston North End Legends at The Sir Tom Finney Stadium on Sunday afternoon A 7-3 Victory for the PNE side, but that didn’t matter one bit. The players enjoyed it, a 1,000+ crowd enjoyed it and more importantly St Catherine's Hospice will have received a sizeable donation due to the superb genorosity of all those in attendance.

PNE Legends picked up the George Melling Charity Shield, played in honour of ex Bamber Bridge ( and many other Lancashire non League clubs, including Clitheroe, Lancaster City and Longridge Town), player George Melling who sadly passed away with Motor Neurone Disease earlier this year at the ridiculously young age of just 37

PNE included the likes of Ricardo Fuller, David Nugent, Paul Gallagher, John Welsh, Steve Elliot, Ian Bryson, Ross Wallace, Youle Mawene, Graham Atkinson, Barry Nicholson, Matthew Hall. Brig Vets Managed for the day by Mickey Taylor included Stu “The Cat” Barton, Neil Crowe, Lennie Reid, Chris “Goose” Marlow, Chris Singleton, Tom Ince, Mitch Newsome.

North End Legends opened the scoring in the first half. Steve Elliot slotting home from the edge of the box following a good passing move down the left from North End.

Stu Barton in goal for the Brig Vets then pulled off two fabulous saves as North End piled on the early pressure. Ross Wallace doubled the PNE lead mid way through the first half as he drilled home a fine shot from the right hand side of the penalty area.

The Brig Vets were not going to lie down however and pulled back what was probably the goal of the match. Tom Ince with a superb bicycle kick into the roof of the net. North End responded immediately and Paul Gallagher restored the 2 goal advantage just a minute or so later as he slid the ball under The advancing Stu Barton from about 6 yards. Ricardo Fuller added a fourth for PNE as the Legends threatened to run riot. Fuller, still full of tricks, twists and turns, finding the net after cutting inside from the right.

Just before half time John Welsh made it 5 for North End with a delightful chipped effort as he lobbed the Brig keeper from the edge of the box.

Half time changes from the Briggers saw The King of Brig, (Goose) and Director of Football Neil Crowe join the battle. Brig Vets started the second half on top and the North End keeper pulled off a terrific save to push the ball around the post for a corner. Crowie swung in the corner from the left, it was half cleared before a superb rising shot crashed against the crossbar. A quick PNE break then ended with another fine save from Stu Barton in the Brig goal.

Midway through the 2nd half, Steve Elliot grabbed his 2nd and a 6th for PNE as he smashed home from 20 yards. But Brig stormed back and Chris Singleton slammed the ball home from close range to make it 6-2. Another fine save from the North End keeper as he he tipped the ball onto the post and out for a corner as the game became very open and switched from end to end. PNE then hit the post before Ricardo Fuller rolled back the years with a sublime flick of the ball before firing in a shot. Stu Barton (My man of the Match) then saved well from a one on one situation as he spread himself to stop the shot. A Crowey corner was then met on the volley, but the PNE keeper made a comfortable save. (apologies for being vague about names, but I didn’t have a team sheet).

Brig Came close to grabbing a third with a headed chance flashing wide before PNE grabbed a 7th, Ross Wallace drilling the ball home from the left of the penalty area. It was The Brig Vets who scored the final goal of the match ( hadn’t we agreed, next goal is the winner !!) when Mitch Newsham chipped the keeper from 15 yards, the North End goalie getting finger tips to the ball but unable to keep it out.

Full Time and PNE Legends win the George Melling Charity Shield, but there were no losers here today. Players and fans alike, enjoyed a great afternoon, all for a wonderful cause. Well done to everyone involved.

Teams:

Brig Vets: Barton, Nay, Clegg, Singleton, Banks, Lawlor, Bolton, Reid, Carey, Green, Ince.
Subs: Eastwood, Richards, Newsham, Marlow, Crowe, McKenzie.

PNE legends: Cudworth, Nicholson, Mawene, Bryson, Welsh, Humphrey, Gallagher, Wallace, Elliott, Fuller, Nugent.
Subs: Hill, Atkinson, Cartwright.