Bamber Bridge 1 - 2 Morecambe

Bamber Bridge fell to a narrow 1-2 defeat against League Two outfit Morecambe, just three days after the visit of Preston North End.

The score line was slightly harsh on Brig against the Lilywhites, but this time round the score reflected the performance and overall an impressive performance against a side three leagues above.

Both sides started in lively fashion with Alistair Waddecar almost piercing through the backline in the opening seconds, before Morecambe went not too far away when Kyle Hawley volleyed over the bar.

And half way through the first half it was the visitors who hit the front thanks to a piece of magic from Kevin Ellison.

The 39-year-old stepped up to take a free kick 20-yards from goal and curled a beauty over the wall and into the top right corner, giving Lloyd Rigby next to no chance in the Brig goal.

From then on in the hosts settled into the game and carved out a number of good openings in wide positions, but the only real clear-cut chance fell to 19-year-old Jordan Darr who hit a low shot that was saved by the legs of Barry Roche.

Both managers would’ve been pleased heading in at the break, but it was Jim Bentley’s side that went in with the lead.

And, within minutes of the restart, they doubled their advantage courtesy of ex-Newcastle man Adam Campbell who struck a perfectly placed strike into the top right corner from the edge of the box.

That goal didn’t dent the Brig spirit though and within five minutes of Campbell’s goal, Neil Reynolds’ side pulled one back from the penalty spot through Regan Linney.

Reynolds and Bentley made a number of changes in the second half, experimenting with their squad and giving players a run out in different systems and formations.

Brig were really pushing for a leveller, whilst The Shrimps still remained a threat on the break – the golden chance fell to trialist Yvez Zama though who hit the bar twice in a second.

The striker latched onto Matty Morgan’s cross and Zama bulleted his header off the bar, before it ricocheted back off Zama, only for it to hit the woodwork again.

That proved to be the last piece of goalmouth action, the football league side running out winners in what was a well-fought pre-season battle between two local sides.

Match reporter: George Hodgson (@ghodgsonsport)