Bamber Bridge were beaten 2-1 at home to Buxton on a thoroughly wet and dismal Saturday afternoon at The Sir Tom Finney Stadium. The result means Brig have now lost 5 League games on the spin and are without a win since the opening day victory over Matlock Town.

An air of “something missing” was clearly felt pre match around the ground. With no bar facilities available due to the Tier 3 restrictions in force across Lancashire. Supporters meandered around the ground in the pouring rain looking lost.

Brig Manager Jamie Milligan had looked to strengthen his injury plagued squad since the Tuesday night thumping at Atherton with 3 new signings on the team sheet. Goalkeeper Matt Hudson and midfielder Adam O’Reilly had come in on loan from Preston North End and would start. While Alexander O’Connor who had arrived from Hyde United had to be content with a place on the bench.

Bamber Bridge started the match positively and pushed their Derbyshire visitors back in the early exchanges. Richie Allen was inches away from connecting with a superb through ball but a defender got his toe to the ball first, clearing on the 6 yard line. Debutant keeper Hudson was called into action minutes later making a terrific diving save at full stretch to keep out a rasping drive. Bamber Bridge were forced into an early change on 20 minutes when Mark Yeates who had taken a knock in a tackle a few minutes earlier, was unable to continue and was replaced by Danny Forbes.

The first goal came in the 21st minute. Brig lost possession close to the touchline level with the Buxton penalty area. A swift pass down the line sent The visitors away, the ball was switched inside to Diego De Girolamo who smashed it home form the edge of the box. Brig responded and a sustained spell of pressure saw an inswinging Richie Allen corner headed clear from under the bar, the ball found its way to Matt Lawlor 20 yards out who returned it with interest, only to see his fierce drive deflected for another corner. This time the corner was again met by a Buxton head, but back towards his own net, beating the keeper but spectacularly hooked off the goal line by a Bucks defender.

Unfortunately for The Briggers, Buxton doubled their advantage with their next foray forward. From a corner, The Bucks took it short, passing the ball across the 18 yard line where striker Chris Dawson drove in a shot that took a wicked deflection giving Hudson in the Brig goal no chance. 2-0 and once again Brig where left with a mountain to climb.

A Brig free kick curled high and wide from Matt Dudley then a scooped volley from Dudley that went wide of the other post where as near as Brig came to reducing the arrears as the first half drew to a close. The home side were also guilty of constantly giving away possession and free kicks allowing Buxton to keep the pressure on.

The second half began with Brig playing towards the Clubhouse End. A free kick awarded for a foul 25 yards from goal gave matt Lawlor the chance to test the keeper, Sadly the ball sailed over the bar and out of the ground over the sponsors lounge roof. At the other end, twice Matt Hudson was forced to make further smart saves to keep the Bucks out. A Brig corner was then met by Chris Marlow on the 6 yard line at the back post, Goose rose well and made good contact but the keeper dived low to make a comfortable save.
Buxton, by this stage in the proceedings looked quite content to soak up any Brig pressure, but twice on the break they almost caught Brig cold. Matt Hudson again made a fine stop before Matt Lawlor made a superb last ditch tackle just as the visiting striker looked set to add to their lead.

Brig made a 67th minute substitution as Chris Churchman made way for Rowan Roache. The change lifted the home side who started to force their visitors back. Adam O’Reilly saw a shot fly high and wide before Brig claimed what really looked like a stone wall penalty. A corner from the right was dropped by the keeper, as Richie Allen looked to get on the end of the loose ball the keeper dived across him bringing him crashing to the floor, The referee inexplicably waved away the appeals much to the disgust of the Brig players and supporters.

The decision mat well have proved costly for Brig, who minutes later pulled one back with a superbly worked goal. Rowan Roche split the defence down the right, finding Isaac Sinclair who advance in to the area before pulling the ball back across the area for Adam O’Reilly to sweep the ball home from 10 yards.

Alexander O’Connor replaced Chris Marlow as Brig looked for that elusive equaliser. Adam O’ Reilly again broke free down the right hand side of the penalty area, but his cut back was cleared as Danny Forbes looked poised to pounce. The visitors however, held on to take the points. Once again a Brig second half fightback had not proved sufficient to take anything from the game. At the final whistle it’s understood that Danny Forbes was shown a red card for expressing his feelings towards the referee.

The games are coming thick and fast and Bamber Bridge have a chance to put a halt to the poor run of results when they entertain Gainsborough Trinity at Irongate on Tuesday night.

A word of praise for the Bamber Bridge ground staff. Despite heavy rain non stop all day, The Pitch was still looking superb at full time.

Full Time: Bamber Bridge – 1 Buxton – 2

Att: 325

Bamber Bridge: Hudson, Spooner, Marlow, Lawlor (Capt.), Wilson, O’Reilly, Sinclair, Churchman, Yeates, Allen

Subs: Forbes, O’Connor, Roache, King-Harmes, Roccia