DOMINANT DISPLAY SPURS BRIGG TO VICTORY

By Chris Osbourne

SW Steelers FC 2 Brigg Town U18s 4

The cautious optimism of the Brigg coaching staff is proving to be well founded as the youngsters travelled to Grimsby Division 2 side SW Steelers on Friday 13th August.
Long term coach Neil Scott and recent addition Chris Osborne made a couple of changes to the side that enjoyed a comprehensive win at Barnetby only two days before. Kicking off in a downpour, the smaller Brigg players were facing an uphill task against their bigger stronger opponents. Steelers are among the favourites to win Division 2 and set about securing an early breakthrough.
Brigg held their lines superbly and Centre Back Lewis Wilson put in a stirling performance. As Steelers mounted a wave of attacks, they pushed men forward and left themselves open to a through ball. The home centre back helped the ball on to his advancing keeper, but didn't get enough on it and lightning quick Josh Gallagher latched onto the ball. He rounded the stranded keeper and scored to give Brigg the lead. Steelers launched themselves at Brigg and Keeper Stiffell made a string of decent saves to retain their lead. The home side qualised witrh a firm header at the far post following a string of corners and they looked as though they would go on and finish the young side off.
Their is a growing resistance in this young side and they struck back in short order. A corner from midfielder Danny Lord was only half cleared and Wilson pounced to prod the ball home.
The second half saw the home side begin to tire and the young Brigg lads began to exert more and more control in the game. Danny Lord and Logan Osborne broke and Lord's low cross was turned into his own net by the retreating centre back.
Brigg mounted a series of attacks as their opponents tired. Steelers were still breaking sporadically and squeezed a late header past Stiffell to reduce the deficit. Brigg were rampant now and Watson in the midfield began to dictate proceedings. He was the architect of numerous attacks and it was fitting that as time ran out, he picked up the ball 30 yards out and evaded a couple of challenges, before slotting home a low shot to complete the scoring.
It was an excellent win against very good opponents. The Under 18 side are beginngint to be noticed a little now and if theyy achieve the consistency that eluded them last year, could well be in the hunt for silverware this term.