Goole 1 - 4 Bamber Bridge (23/12/17)

Bamber Bridge kept up the pressure at the top of the Evo Stik Division 1 North with a fine 4-1 victory at the Victoria Pleasure Ground in Goole on Saturday afternoon. On a cold East Yorkshire afternoon, on a bobbly, uneven pitch, Brig Manager Neil Reynolds opted to make several changes to his starting line up, fully utilising his squad with a flurry of games coming up over the festive period.

The uneven pitch served to be a leveller in the opening minutes with neither side able to pass the ball over the ground. The pitch has a running track around it and the wide open expanse makes for a somewhat distant viewing experience. Brig where the 1st to show intent when Gerrard garner turned on the edge of the box on 12 minutes but his shot drifted harmlessly wide., No chances of any note followed until on 21 minutes Brig where awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal for a foul on Matt Dudley. Up stepped Jamie Milligan and with pin point accuracy, curled the ball over the wall in to the keepers top left corner.

The goal settled Brig down, and although unable to get their familiar passing game going, they still looked the more likely to add to the score. Matt Lawlor saw a fine 20 yard shot well saved by the home keeper on the half hour mark as the game drifted towards half time.

The 2nd half began with a change in the Brig back four, Matt Mahoney, feeling his hamstring was replaced by Macauley Wilson. The balance of play didn’t change with Brig doing most of the pressing. On 52 mins Ali Waddecar found space at the right hand edge of the penalty area but his effort was comfortably saved. At the other end Lloyd Rigby was forced into his 1st action of the match, diving well to push a shot around the post for a corner.

Brig made a 2nd change on 60 minutes with Regan Linney replacing the hard working James Boyd, moments later and from a Linney pass, Ali Waddecar again got in a good low shot that was cleared for a corner. From that corner, Danny Forbes connected with a looping header that crashed back off the bar. Brig where now dominating the match and on 65 minutes Gerrard Garner was next to see his 8 yard flicked effort rebound from the frame of the goal. A second goal was coming though and on 68 mins Ali Waddecar neatly controlled a a high ball down the centre of the pitch, rolled into the path of Garner on his left, who strode on before calmly slotting the ball past the advancing keeper to give Brig a deserved 2 goal advantage.

Brig made their final substitution on 75 minutes, Sam Staunton-Turner replacing Jamie Milligan. The game, now drifting to it’s inevitable conclusion then burst into life with 10 minutes remaining, a rare Goole attack led to a foul in the area and a penalty to the home side. This was neatly dispatched giving the home side hope of a comeback. That hope was extinguished just 2 minutes later however when Ali Waddecar chased a long Lloyd Rigby clearance down the pitch winning a corner. From that corner, Matt Lawlor, rose majestically to power home a super header to restore the two goal lead.

From the kick off, Brig won the ball back again and Ali Waddecar raced clear only to be felled inside the area. Penalty. Up stepped Macauley Wilson and smashed the ball high in to the back of the net to give Brig an unassailable 4-1 lead.

The remaining minutes where seen out comfortably as Brig recorded another fine victory on their travels and 3 more valuable points.

Full Time, Goole AFC - 1 Bamber Bridge - 4

Bamber Bridge: Rigby, Mahoney (Wilson 45), Marlow, Baines, Lawlor, Milligan (Staunton Tuner 75), Forbes, Garner, Dudley, Boyd, (Linney 60)

Unused subs: Dodd, Potts

Match Reporter: Alan Bateson