Lancaster City 1-0 Bamber Bridge

Matty Poole’s late goal saw Lancaster City start 2015 with back-to-back derby wins.
Sam Bailey and Garry Hunter battle for the ball against Bamber Bridge. Picture: Paul VauseSam Bailey and Garry Hunter battle for the ball against Bamber Bridge. Picture: Paul Vause
Sam Bailey and Garry Hunter battle for the ball against Bamber Bridge. Picture: Paul Vause

Both the Dolly Blues and Bamber Bridge battled it out for 90 minutes and failed to be separated, but as the game entered stoppage time, on-loan Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Harry Campbell fumbled a clearance in the six-yard box and waiting was Poole who stabbed the ball over the line for City’s third win in four games.

It was a slow start at the Giant Axe with both sides lacking quality, Brig having the first chance of the game, fullback Matt Mahoney scuffing a shot into the site netting from a Matt Lawlor knock down.

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With just five minutes remaining in the half and no shot on target the home side found a break in play and registered the first meaningful chances of the game.

Reece Pearce picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal, he evaded the sliding challenge of Lawlor on the edge of the box, but he was denied by the on-rushing Campbell,

The follow up saw Lee Dodgson pick up the ball on the edge of the box but his shot was cleared off the line by former City defender Glenn Steel.

The second half saw Brig adopt a much more fluent passing game, the influential Matty Kay and Paul McKenna seeing much more of the ball while the Dolly Blues looked dangerous.

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On the hour mark, former Blues striker Darren Green replaced Mahoney, and a neat bit of work from the former, saw a Chris Marlow shot deflected wide for a corner.

The game continued to open up and Dolly Blues’ fans had their hearts in their mouths when Brig rattled the post.

Ali Waddecar showed pace to break on the left, he released Stuart Vasey down the wing who carried the ball to the byline, his deep cross found Wiles at the back post, who, after cutting inside drilled a left footed effort which struck the inside of the post, the ball then hit ‘keeper Hale before the scrambling Garry Hunter managed to hack the ball off the line.

Brig continued to look the more likely to score, with sub Kieron Pickup and McKenna both having efforts on goal blocked.

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Buoyed by a vocal home crowd, Lancaster rallied late on, skipper Neil Marshall’s deep free-kick was fumbled by on-loan Wanderers ‘keeper Campbell but the latter recovered well to make up for his error.

With time running out and a draw looking the likely result an individual error cost Brig.

A cross was sent deep into the box, the ball was loose and Campbell fumbled his clearance and lurking was Poole, who reacted quickest and stabbed the ball home from two yards to seal the three points.

Lancaster City: Hale, Bailey, Clark, Davis, Marshall (capt), Hunter, Draycott (Wearing 45), Akrigg, Poole, Pearce (Hudson 78), Dodgson (Birch 78). Subs not used: Plackett, Donlon.

Bamber Bridge: Campbell, Mahoney (Green 60), Steel, Lawlor, Doughty (Alexander 67), Kay (capt), Wiles (Pickup 75), McKenna, Vasey, Waddecar, Marlow. Subs not used: Bell, Parish.

Attendance: 246