Belper Town - 0 Bamber Bridge - 2

Bamber Bridge made the long trip to Christchurch Meadows, home of Belper Town FC on Saturday afternoon. The Nailermen currently sit bottom of the Northern Premier League but proved a tough nut to crack for a Brig side riding high in 3rd place.

First and Lasting impressions of our visit to Derbyshire today were, of a wonderfully friendly club, great facilities and really nice ground. This was up there as one of the most enjoyable away trips of the season.

The first half was a tight affair, both sides enjoying good spells of possession without either keeper being tested. The home side despite their position in the League table looked up for the task and didn’t give Brig an inch as the pressed high and looked to prevent The Lancashire side getting in to their rhythm. The first opportunity of note arrived on 25 minutes as a well struck central free kick from Fin dipped over the wall but was tipped over the bar fro a corner by the Belper Town keeper.

A volleyed effort from Joe Robbins followed moments later from a right wing cross but this was blocked and rolled safely to the keeper. Harry Scarborough then fired well over as the first half drifted towards a goalless conclusion. However things changed on the stroke of half time. A high forward ball was headed into the air by Harry Scarborough on the edge of the penalty area, as it dropped Fin Sinclair-Smith met it with a sublime volley that flew over the keeper and nestled in the back of the net, much to the delight of The Briggers behind the goal. Possibly against the run of play but another “Worldie” for Fin to add to his ever increasing selection of superb goals this season. As soon as the hosts kicked off, the referee's whistle brought the first half to an end.

The second half began in similar vein to the first, but as the game wore on Brig became more dominant and started to create chances. A free kick from wide on the left was swung in by Fin but the keeper gathered it quite comfortably. Sheldon Green then made a fine run down the right flank before cutting inside and carrying the ball along the edge of the area before laying it square to the advancing Isaac Sinclair who struck a fine low shot just wide of the keepers right hand post.

Bamber Bridge made a double change mid way through the half with Danny Forbes and Rhys Turner entering the fray for Harry Scarborough and Joe Robbins. The changes didn’t disrupt the flow of the game with Brig continuing to dominate in terms of chances created. The home side ,still competing well always looked a threat however and almost pulled level when a right wing cross was met with a close range glancing header that flashed just wide of the far post.

What then looked to be a great headed goal from Sheldon Green from an inswinging right sided free kick saw the celebrations cut short by the Linesman's flag who considered Sheldon’s firm header to have been from an offside position. A very tight call.

Just two minutes later though on 80 minutes, It was that man Fin again ,who wrapped up the points with another sensational strike. A trip on Aaron skinner 2 yards outside the penalty box gave Fin the opportunity to rifle home a superb free kick, crashing in to the back of the net off the underside of the crossbar with the home keeper trying in vain to keep it out.

Millie made a 3rd change following the goal, Blackpool FC loanee Luke Mariette replacing Chris Churchman. With The points now essentially assured Brig pushed on looking to add to their tally, Fin again striking a low shot that keeper did well to save and hold on to, before Rhys Turner then saw the home stopper save with his feet as he looked to slide the ball under him, the rebound falling to Sheldon Green but again the keeper dived to make another fine save.

That was the final action of the match as the full time whistle blew. A fine and thoroughly proffesional 2-0 away victory for The Briggers but they were made to work all the way by a hard working Belper side who looked far better than their position in the Leaguer table suggests despite never really testing Luke Hutchinson in the Bamber Bridge goal. The points keeping Brig firmly in 3rd place in the League table with a 4 point gap to Warrington Town in 4th spot.

Bamber Bridge return to action this coming Tuesday evening with a home tie in the Lancashire Trophy, St Helens Town will visit The Sir Tom Finney Stadium with a place in the semi final up for grabs.

Full Time: Belper Town – 0 Bamber Bridge – 2

Bamber Bridge: Hutchinson, Skinner, Green, Thomson, Pond, Wilson ©, Sinclair (I), Scarborough, Robbins, Sinclair-Smith

Substitutes: Turner, Forbes, Mariette, Sinclair (S), Alabi

Attendance: 560