Basford United 1 - 0 Bamber Bridge

Brig’s dismal run of results in 2019 continued in Nottinghamshire on Saturday afternoon as they were beaten 1-0 by Basford United in a game that even the most ardent Basford fan would surely agree, Bamber Bridge were worthy of at least a point.

With the surprise resignation of Manager Mickey Taylor on Friday afternoon, Brig took to the field with Matt Lawlor and Joe Collins taking the reins. With Matt playing at centre back, Neil Crowe and Stu Barton joined Joe on the side of the pitch.

Brig started well, and could well have had a penalty in the 2nd minute, Ali Waddecar was first to the ball in the area but he prodded the ball over the goal line and was then upended. We’ve seen them given but the referee probably got that one right. Brig were spraying the ball around on the 4g pitch and on 12 minutes following a foul on the edge of the box, Ali stepped up again with a 25 yard rocket of a free kick that rattled the bar, bounced back into play and was cleared.

With Brig looking the better of the two teams, the inevitable happened as the home side took the lead from a corner. Basford forward Brad Gascoigne rose to head home as Brig’s frailties this season from corners and crosses were once again exposed. Undeterred the visitors from Lancashire continued to pass the ball around as they looked to get the equaliser their play deserved. Ali Waddecar was once again the main threat for Bamber Bridge and he was unfortunate on 30 minutes as he cut inside from the right only to see his goalbound effort blocked.

Basford were sharp on the break and Lloyd Rigby had to be on his toes to make a fine save on 37 minutes diving low to his right. Brig responded and Joe Booth ended a fine passing move with a fierce shot but Kieran Preston in the Basford goal was right behind it. Preston again came to his sides aid moments later as Adam Dodd hit a screamer from 20 yards the keeper flicked over the bar for a corner.

Half time and Brig unlucky to be trailing 1-0

The 2nd half began as the first had ended with Bamber Bridge playing some neat passing football and they really started to push the hosts back. Another Waddecar free kick sailed just wide of the post and corner after corner was headed clear as the Nottinghamshire side defended superbly throwing their bodies in the way of everything Brig could throw at them.

Chris Marlow saw a shot shot charged down, it deflected to Ali whose first time shot was also blocked and bounced up into the keepers arms. With Brig completely dominant two changes were made as Dom McGiveron and Danny Forbes came on for Wisdom and Dudley. Still it was Brig peppering the home goal, A corner from the left was punched clear from under his crossbar by Preston, Danny Forbes reacted first but his shot was saved by the impressive home keeper. With the game entering the latter stages Regan Linney finally beat the keeper, with a thunderbolt half volley from 15 yards only to see a magnificent goal line clearance from a Basford defender.

The referee signalled 5 minutes of added time. And Brig were camped in the Basford half for virtually all of it. A succession of corners saw Brig keeper Rigby up in the opposing area as Brig literally threw the kitchen sink at the hosts. All to no avail in the end as the referee blew the final whistle and Brig were left to wonder how they had played so well and dominated large parts of the game only to come away with a defeat.
The performance from Bamber Bridge must surely give cause for optimism in the remaining 5 matches, 3 of which are at home. A disappointing result but a hugely encouraging performance

Full Time: Basford United – 1 Bamber Bridge – 0

Att: 207

Bamber Bridge: Rigby, Spooner, Dodd, Lawlor, (capt), Charnock, Wisdom, Linney, Waddecar, Booth, Dudley, Marlow.

Subs: Doughty, Forbes, McGiveron, Churchman, Harries.

Match reporter: Alan Bateson