MATCH REPORT: BRIGG TOWN FC 1 CHASETOWN 1

BY BOB TAYLOR

Brigg Town fielded the same team which was successful in the mid-week cup game against Scarborough but with changes on the substitutes’ bench. They began with an attack down the left wing where Scott Matthews won a free kick, played to the far post - but out of touch. Ramone Stephens looked an immediate threat on the right for the visitors with some strong running and plenty of pace enabling him to get good crosses into the Brigg penalty area. He won a corner kick off Scott Hellewell, which resulted in a header on target but this was safely collected by Jake Turner in the Brigg goal. When Jordan Thewlis was brought down in a central position thirty yards from goal, Paul Grimes struck the awarded free kick towards the top corner of the net but opposing goalkeeper Ryan Price turned the ball away for a corner kick.  Both Jordan Thewlis and Paul Grimes were being marked tightly and given no opportunity to control long passes up to them. When Liam Dickens pushed forward from mid-field, he took a return pass from Paul Grimes to strike a shot over the cross bar.

Ramone Stephens made another penetrating run down the right wing but was blocked at the edge of the penalty area by Scott Hellewell’s challenge. When the corner kick was played into the goal area, the ball was scrambled clear from the line. Brigg responded but Paul Grimes forced his way forward down the middle of the pitch until again being fouled by Daniel Bragoli outside the penalty area and he struck the free kick well,-  but over the cross bar. After twenty-five minutes of play, Ryan Price made a couple of successive saves from Paul Grimes and then Paul Ashton. The visitors opened the scoring after thirty- one minutes after Liam Dickens lost possession in their half of the pitch allowing them to counter quickly straight down the middle with Nicholas Wellecomme able to slip the ball into the path of SIMON BROWN, whose firm right foot curling shot hit the roof of the net from twelve yards out. This encouragement allowed the visitors to push further forward and just before half time, they almost doubled their lead when a cross from the right wing was deflected out for a corner kick on the left by Scott Hellewell’s important challenge in front of goal.

The opening period of the second half showed Chasetown in control of the game and Ramone Stephens continued to be their main threat but striker Nicholas Wellecomme also made frequent strong forward runs. Brigg gradually regained composure and were unlucky with a couple of penalty decisions for a handling offence followed by a foul on Paul Grimes being rejected. Brigg continued to press for an equaliser, introducing Phil Jackman for Jordan Thewlis and Danny Buttle for Jamie Forrester with effect.

 However, Jake Turner had to pull off two first class saves to prevent Nicholas Wellecomme from adding to the score before PHIL JACKMAN grabbed a late goal four minutes from time after Danny Buttle slipped the ball into the penalty area from the left wing for him to guide it into the bottom of the net.

Attendance:    118

Brigg now travel to Bridlington on Tuesday evening (December 10) to face an in form Scarborough Athletic team and then travel on Saturday to Carlton Town.