Bamber Bridge

Ground 30

Match 31

Evo-Stik First Division North

Bamber Bridge 2 - 6 Lancaster City

QED Stadium Ground

Capacity 2,264

Kick Off 7.45

Attendance 195

Admission £8

Programme £1.50 (28 pages) good value

Distance Travelled 4.3 miles

Bamber Bridge White/Black Nickname The Brig

Lancaster Yellow/Blue Nickname - The Dolly Blues

The Gerry Lawson Stand - Holds 500 spectators - trains pass closely by .



 

Decided to put some of my hard earned cash into Bamber Bridge who could do with it more than most and was treated to a goal feast . Parked up two yards from the turnstile , the nearest you can get with a motor vehicle . The last time i was here to see the ' Brigers ' at Irongate , i paid £20 to include admission and drinks to enter the club sponsors lounge with my mates and drink as much as possible in four hours . We named Ryan Salmon as man of the match against Chorley so i wondered if he would be playing and sure enough , he was . Saw tonights opponents Lancaster a couple of weeks ago so i know they're a strong outfit . Bought a programme and circum-navigated the QED passing loads of City followers . The Social Club End and Sponsors Upstairs Suite are inbetween the Club Shop , refreshments and turnstile entrance . The club shop entrance is confusing , there's two doors , one of which is highlighted with bold letters ' Officials only . ' Round the other side is another door but you only see this if you intend going over to the main stand although there is a big arrow above which looks like a club motive .

















Opposite the Social club side of the ground is the Bamber Bridge End with a covered terrace running the width of the pitch . Its a little claustrophobic but at least it'll keep you dry on cold , wet , winter nights like tonight .












Accross from the G Lawson stand are the dugouts and open Popular terrace banking . Brig started well , almost taking the lead in the first several minutes but succumbed to a sloppy lobbed goal which floated agonizingly over the stranded keepers outstretched arms into the net . City increased their lead minutes later to make it 2-0 from an acute angled shot by Bunney which Swarbrick would have loved himself , spending a good few seconds stood over the ball while it was already in the net soaking up the Dollies affectionate , travelling support , chanting , 'Give us a wave ' , ' i'd rather be a Dolly than a Shrimp , ' There 's only one Tony Hesketh . '

 Here comes ' Dolly Dagger ' or is it the ' Dolly with the Brolly ? '

Brig managed to pull one back when White netted from a spot kick . City were in no mood to take their foot off the gas and increased their lead to 3-1 before the interval , Bunney completing a brace to put City in ' wonderland . ' Tremendous following for City behind the social club goal , absolutely drenched but in high spirits . Time to hit the refreshments and lounge bar and Bamber Bridge carpet .










Don't know what was said to Brig during the interval but they started the second half like a dog on heat . Constant bombardment of City's goal eventually paid off when Reynolds nodded home . In the proceeding minutes Brig should have had another penalty when a City defender handled in the six yard box . Unfortunately for Brig , City are extremely adept at soaking up pressure and breaking rapidly on the counter attack and i wasn't surprised when Dave Swarbrick made it 4-2 almost immediately after the restart , running over to the Dollies contingent , blowing kisses and tugging his own shirt , urging his team mates over to huddle him , talk about lapping it up , i thought the ref' would book him for over elaborate , self indulgent , time wasting celebration but he didn't .Think  he spent more time celebrating than he did at AFC Fylde ! Shortly after , Brig hit the bar with a super free kick but inevitably conceded two late goals after chasing the game and tiring towards the end . Final Score Bamber Bridge 2 - 6 Lancaster City
Ryan Salmon












On a positive note ,there was a decent crowd in to help with the coffers and for more than forty minutes of the second half Brig were on a par with City . Their players gave everything in the second half but were unlucky to come up against City in rich vein of form . Good to see a fantastic vocal following for City which created a fun atmosphere . .
Bamber Bridge photos November 8, 2011">