Buxton 0 - 1 Bamber Bridge

Bamber Bridge recorded their 1st away league win of the season with a hard earned victory at The Silverlands, home of Buxton FC. The win also heralded the first 3 point haul for Manager Mickey Taylor since his appointment last month.

First chance of an entertaining game went the way of the home side, when on 5 minutes a low cross from the left eluded everyone and arrived at the far post awaiting a tap in, fortune was on the side of Brig has the attempt was placed wide of the post. Brig responded and following great work from Ali Waddecar on the right wing, his chipped cross was partially cleared, Danny Forbes whipped the ball back in and Matt Dudley was on hand to head the visitors into the lead with a superb header from 8 yards.

The match continued end to end with both sides playing good football on the 4G pitch, Brig were looking the more likely to add to their goal and a cross from Darren McKnight found Danny Forbes around the penalty spot but he couldn’t keep the header down and it cleared the bar. The home side however where still looking very lively and great defending saw 3 quick shots in concession all blocked before the ball was eventually bundled out for a corner.

At the other end Ali Waddecar found Chris Marlow with a delightful pass, Goose controlled the ball before firing in a shot that bounced just wide of the post. With the game approaching half time both Matt Lawlor and Matt Dudley had attempts on goal, Dudley’s effort being deflected for a corner while Lawlor’s volley flashed wide of the upright.

Into the 2nd half and the match continued in the same fashion with both sides surging forward at every opportunity. Lloyd Rigby in goal Brig was having a terrific match and dived full length to tip a free kick around the post from a Buxton free kick. Moments later and he did the same again from another freekick from a similar position. Buxton where enjoying their best spell of the game at this stage but Brig caught them on the break and Ali Waddecar hit a 20 yard daisy cutter from the left hand side of the penalty area that was a whisker away from increasing the Visitors lead.

The game swung back the other way and once again Lloyd Rigby pulled of a top save from yet another Buxton free kick. Brig where defending superbly as the home side increased the pressure in the closing stages. Brig were looking to catch the hosts on the break and did so on 80 minutes with a swift attack involving Marlow and Waddecar resulting in a brig corner. From the corner the ball was cleared and Buxton broke rapidly to the opposite end where once again Rigby was called upon to make the save.

With the game approaching Added time, Mickey T and Neil Crowe made their 1st substitution of the match. Danny Forbes, who had literally run himself into the ground was replaced by Paul Dawson as Brig looked to hang on to the points. The home side threw the kitchen sink at Brig in the 3 minutes of injury time but The Lancashire lads held firm to register a well-earned and welcome 3 points.

This was up there with the best performances of the season, grit determination and a never say die attitude and some superb flowing football all came together to see Brig over the line.

Full time: Buxton FC – 0 Bamber Bridge – 1

Bamber Bridge: Rigby, Spooner, Dodd, Lawlor, Charnock, Churchman, Waddecar, Forbes, Dudley, McKnight, Marlow
Subs: Doughty, Argent Barnes, Dawson, Carsley, Roccia

Att: 314

Match reporter: Alan Bateson

Full gallery of match photos available here: https://flic.kr/s/aHskJAJkoX