CARLTON TOWN 1 BRIGG TOWN FC 2

REPORT BY BOB TAYLOR

Conditions were tricky for both teams because of the strong wind blowing down the pitch with Brigg enjoying the advantage offered in the first half. The dressing room atmosphere was much better but Anthony Bowsley had to pull out of the starting line-up at the last minute due to a thigh strain, allowing George Zuerner to come back in.
Brigg were the first to show with a shot from Paul Grimes testing home ‘keeper Jonathan Viscosi following a throw-in on the right wing. Carlton responded with a free kick from Alexander Troke into the penalty area but the ball was headed away and cleared. Paul Grimes looked sharp and needed close marking but struck another effort just wide of the upright with the ‘keeper scrambling to cover it. Another free kick in Brigg ‘s half close to the left wing touch line was knocked away by Jake Turner for a corner kick on the right but this was well defended.
Brigg took the lead after nineteen minutes when PAUL ASHTON chased a loose ball down the left wing and moved inside before striking a firm shot from twenty yards out into the top of the net. This gave the whole team a lift in confidence and within the next ten minutes, further chances were created. Paul Grimes made a strong forward run but was blocked and then he struck a free kick into the goal area but the ball was tipped over the bar by Viscosi. Michael Jacklin met a right wing corner kick from Scott Matthews post but his header was blocked at the post. Another right wing corner kick was swung into the goal area but scrambled clear and Paul Grimes ahd a shot deflected past the upright post.
The home team counter attacked and Alexander Troke was given too much space inside the penalty area with the ball at his feet but he struck a shot well wide. Paul Ashton played really well throughout the game and shortly before half time won yet another corner kick on the right wing which was headed out to Paul Grimes to send a fierce shot over the cross bar from twenty yards out.
Against the wind in the second half, Brigg continued to try to play the ball about but were put under increasing pressure. Shots from Martin Ball and Alexander Troke flew over the cross bar but at the other end, Danny Buttle evaded his marker to deliver a cross along the goal line and Paul Grimes was pulled back on the right wing, winning a free kick which Scott Matthews played into the goal area but out of play at the far post.  Phil Jackman   was replaced after seventy minutes with Jordan Thewlis on as substitute. Within four minutes, Jordan Thewlis was fouled outside the penalty area on the left wing and Scott Matthews delivered another high ball into the penalty area where GEORGE ZUERNER forced it over the goal line, the assistant referee confirming that the ball had crossed the line. Brigg looked for more goals to seal the win and Jordan Thewlis was caught off side after Paul Grimes slipped the ball forward to him and then went past Lee Torr on the goal line before pulling the ball back for Danny Buttle to fire a shot over the bar. The Brigg defenders continued to look solid but as the game moved into an added five minutes, the home team scored with their last attack. Winning a corner kick on the left, the ball was played into the goalmouth area for RUBEN WIGGINS-THOMAS to find the back of the net from close in. Fortunately, the whistle blew for time as soon as the game had been restarted leaving Brigg victors and gaining three precious points,
Brigg Town:  Turner, Fisher, Matthews, Zuerner, Hellewell, Jackson, Ashton, Dickens, Grimes, Jackman, Buttle. Subs:  Thewlis for Jackman (70) Peers,  Forrester, Bowsley  and Zand not used.
Attendance:  75
Next Saturday, the team has a home fixture against Gresley FC.