[themaclad]

On a soggy afternoon in Central Lancashire, Lancaster City and Bamber Bridge shared the spoils on an increasing bog of a pitch. Having survived a pitch inspection, the groundstaff were forking the pitch when I arrived at Irongate although apart from where the lines man was running the pitch looked in decent nick.
Brig took an early lead as Lancaster tried and failed to pass their way out of danger, losing possession in the left back area, the ball arrived at the feet of the very useful Regan Linney who skipped round keeper Hale to put the ball into an empty night. City struggled in the early stages against the physically stronger Brig players who included in their midst ex league player PaulMcKenna and Brett Ormerod. McKenna's passing was superb finding players with ease from 30 yards.
Brig could have gone two up but the No 7's shot went narrowly over the bar, City's only chance disappeared fell into the pond in front of the goal when a cross was heading his way. Given the conditions some excellent full on tackles led to a few feisty exchanges. City levelled out of the blue on the half hour when the two Clark's combined and Gavin fired home from the left hand side of the area. The other Clark, Zac then went on a mazy run down the left hand side but was trying for a worldie instead of passing to better placed team mate.
On the stroke of half time Brig nearly took the lead, there was a skirmish going on down one end of the pitch which the referee had not noticed as Brig broke up field with a three on one break away, a good old fashioned shoulder charge ended the move, Brig wanted a penalty, they did not get it.
Brig piled on the pressure in the second half but could not find a way through the resolute City defence, City were relying on the break and at times were causing the home side problems and with 13 minutes to go took the lead when Winder's cross cum shot ended up in the back of the net.
Brig hit the bar and just as it looked as if City would scratch out a win Brig equalised when Blackburn loanee Joel scored from six yards after some slightly dodgy defending, probably a fair result as both sides put a lot of effort in on the Irongate swamp.
The two clubs meet again on Tuesday at the same venue in the Dootson cup, would be surprised if it's actually played given the deluge which is on it's way.

Bamber Bridge 2 Lancaster City 2 Att 242