It was always going to be a tough fixture for league leaders Brig as they travelled to Mariners Park to face second placed South Shields, who are considered early favourites for the title.
The match started evenly with neither side taking control. Brig’s first chance of the game came from a corner on 15 minutes, but unfortunately Michael Potts’ shot went over the bar.
The home side had a chance to take the lead on 18 minutes when Matt Mahoney brought down South Shields’ Jamie Holmes in the area and the referee awarded a penalty. Lloyd Rigby in Brig’s goal pulled off a superb save, diving to his left to keep the score at 0-0.
The home side started to dominate the game towards half time and were rewarded with a goal on 40 minutes. Robert Briggs’ free kick from 20 yards out went through the Brig wall to make it 1-0.
The visitors went close to equalising just before half time. Adam Dodd made a great run down the left wing and laid the ball off to Alistair Waddecar whose curling effort drifted just wide of the post.
After the break, the home side continued to dominate play and were denied the chance to make it 2-0 when Michael Richardson’s goal was disallowed for offside.
Although the home side were dominating play, Brig tried to take their chances on the break. Second half substitute Dan Mooney went close on 69 minutes, his header at the far post from a superb Jamie Milligan free kick going just over the bar.
Brig piled on the pressure in the final 15 minutes of the game but they were unable to get an equaliser. The final chance fell to Alistair Waddecar whose injury time volley took a deflection and went over the bar.
Next up for Brig is the visit of Colywn Bay on Monday 28 August (3pm).
Half time: 1 – 0
Full time 1 – 0
Bamber Bridge: Rigby; Wilson; Dodd; Lawlor (c); Mahoney; Potts; Waddecar; Forbes (Mooney 45), Staunton-Turner (Marlow 63); Dudley (Linney 63); Milligan
Substitutes (not used): Barton (GK), Williams