Stockton Town produced a scintillating performance to run out winners at Bamber Bridge.
Michael Sweet netted an early brace before Lucas Weaver pulled one back for Bamber Bridge.
But the game got away from Brig when Macauley Wilson was sent off for bringing down Mikey Roberts. Stephen Thompson converted the penalty.
In the second half gloss was added to the scoreline as Michael Fowler came off the bench to score and Josh Scott scored to continue his excellent start to life as an Anchor.
The Anchors were looking to build on a solid away win at Warrington Rylands at the weekend. Michael Dunwell handed Scott his first start. Roberts also came into the Starting XI in place of Owen Gallacher who was unavailable.
Stockton started with confidence and the first chances came just after tenth minute. Mikey Roberts had a from the edge that curled over, and Michael Sweet had a volley that was comfortable for the goalkeeper.
That confident start was rewarded when Roberts persistence forced a mistake from Wilson, his ball across was intelligently left by Scott for Sweet who powered the ball into the corner.
The Anchors doubled their lead when Thompson hassled the Bamber Bridge defence and the ball broke for Sweet who made no mistake from close range.
Bamber Bridge finally settled after a whirlwind start and a good move ended with Jack Baxter having an effort comfortably saved by Harker.
The home side pulled a goal back when Weaver was played through and he finished well.
The hope of Bamber Bridge getting back into the game was short lived when Wilson brought down Roberts when he nicked the ball. The referee had no hesitation to point to the spot. Thompson stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to restore the two-goal lead.
Half Time: Bamber Bridge 1-3 Stockton Town
Stockton began the second half in the same confidence they ended the first and could have fourth minutes in. A wonderfully flowing counter attack found Thompson who saw his low effort hit the post.
Another chance to increase the lead came when Sweet sent a powered low cross which just evaded Scott who was coming in.
Sweet then looked to score himself when he worked himself into a good area but his strike was deflected behind.
Another chance came for Stockton when Scott worked himself into a good position but his strike was well-saved by Pradic.
Stockton’s defence stayed resolute throughout and that was demonstrated when Adam Nicholson produced an excellent sliding block to deny a certain goal.
The insurance goal was added when substitute Fowler was played in over the top and he applied a cool finish.
Fowler should have had himself a second minutes later when good work from Lewis King saw him square the ball to him but he fired wide.
The game was capped off when a superb ball by Jack Spears found Scott who showed good footwork before he slotted home.
Full-Time: Bamber Bridge 1-5 Stockton Town
The Anchors moved up to seventh following victory and now face a string of home games starting with Mickleover on Saturday.
Bamber Bridge: Pradic, Churchman (Edwards 66’), Brockbank, Wilson, Kenyon, Baxter (Hasler-Cregg 76’), Weaver, Potts, Grand (Mohammed 76’), Hey (Wallbank 45’), Dodd (Adubofour 66’)
Unused Subs: N/A
Stockton Town; Harker, King (Purewal 80’), Baggs, Painter (Birtles), Nicholson, Coulthard, Sweet (Spears 75’), Butterworth, Scott, Thompson (Johnson 62’), Roberts (Fowler 65’)
Unused Subs: N/A
Goals: 0-1, 14 min, Sweet; 0-2, 20 min, Sweet; 1-2, 28 min, Weaver; 1-3, 32 min, Thompson; 1-4, 79 min, Fowler; 1-5, 83 min, Scott
Attendance: 344
Words: James Cartwright
Photo: Harry Cook
