Bamber Bridge where given the opportunity to go to the top of the Evostik Division 1 North table tonight with a re-arranged fixture at the Utility Renewals Stadium and they took the chance with open arms, beating Colne 3-0 in the M65 Derby.

The game started with Bamber Bridge playing up the slope and it was Colne who looked the brighter of the two sides in the opening minutes. Without creating any clear cut chances, the home side looked to press home the advantage of attacking downhill and put Brig under some early pressure.

Bamber Bridge weathered the early storm and started to grow in to the game. Dan Mooney found his way into the referee’s notebook on 15 minutes, reacting after he was clearly fouled. With Brig now starting to gain control, Matt Dudley found space at the edge of the area on 22 minutes, but his shot drifted well wide. Moments later Chris Marlow burst down the left wing and put across a hard low cross, the ball arrived slightly behind Brad Carsley whose improvised volley just cleared the bar.

Brig were now getting on top and Dan Mooney saw a driven cross from the right gathered well by the home keeper. On 36 minutes, from an Ali Waddecar free kick Phil Doughty’s flicked header just dropped wide of the post. Dan Mooney then hit the post having beaten the keeper to a through ball, but the linesman had flagged for offside. On 40 minutes Brad Carsley thought he had opened the scoring with a downward header from a corner which beat the keeper but bounced up and was headed over the bar by the Colne defender on the goal-line.

Half time and the scores level at 0-0 but Bamber Bridge looking the far more likely of the two Lancashire rivals to open the scoring.

The 2nd half started with Brig on the attack playing down the slope and just 7 minutes into the half took the lead as Ali Waddecar won possession on the right wing, played the ball square to Brad Carsley who controlled and smashed the ball past the keep from 20 yards.

The goal clearly lifted the visitors who were now passing the ball well and looking likely to add to their lead. Ali Waddecar was unlucky following great wing play by Dan Mooney, then Mooney found himself one on one with keeper who made a fine save with his legs to thwart the Brig winger.

On 65 minutes, Danny Forbes tried his luck from the edge of the box but was fouled whilst shooting. From the resulting Free kick, Ali Waddecar stepped up and curled a beauty around the wall, the keeper at full stretch was unable to reach it as the ball nestled in the back of the net.

Colne still showing admirable spirit responded and a shot from distance flashed just wide of Lloyd Rigby’s left hand post. However Bamber Bridge were soon back on the attack and Dan Mooney again found the home keeper Hakan Burton in fine form, saving well after a fine free flowing Brig move.

On 75 minutes the game was put beyond doubt with another terrific Brig goal. A slide rule pass down the right wing found Ali Waddecar who looked up and saw the advancing Dan Mooney. His sublime chipped cross was met by Mooney who powered a header in to the back of the net.

An injury to Dan Mooney on 82 minutes saw him leave the field to be replaced by James Boyd. Mooney seemed to have hurt himself while stretching for the ball. Brig made two further changes with Regan Linney and Stu Vasey replacing Brad Carsley and Matt Dudley.

Brig continued to dominate and were now sweeping the ball across the pitch and looking every inch, a top of the table side. Phil Doughty was close to making it four with a great header from a corner, once again Burton in the home goal coming to the rescue with a top save. With the game coming to a close, Brig were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. Ali Waddecar stepped up and drove the ball around the wall only for the keeper to again make a fine save.

As the keeper cleared the ball, the referee called a halt to proceedings with Bamber Bridge coming away from East Lancs with all three points and sitting proudly at the top of the league.

A very professional performance from the visitors who soaked up the early pressure from the home side before turning the tide and ending up comfortable winners.

Bamber Bridge: Rigby, Mahoney, Marlow, Baines, Doughty, Potts (c), Waddecar, Forbes, Carsley, (Vasey 84) Dudley, (Boyd 84), Mooney, (Linney 82)

Subs (not used): Milligan, Dodd

Match reporter: Alan Bateson