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Saturday 9th April - Frickley Athletic  1-0  Bamber Bridge

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A solitary strike from Andy Evans which finished off a sweeping Blues' attack was enough to earn the Blues three vital points which puts Premier Division survival firmly within the Blues' grasp. Evans had already had a goal disallowed for offside within the first ten minutes and the Blues contrived to miss numerous chances to consolidate their lead.

Steve Kennedy returned in the centre of the defence after missing last week's game against Radciffe Borough through suspension whilst Calum Selby also returned in place of Luke Smith at left back and Steve Woolford replaced the now departed Neil Ashley. Richard Tracey made a welcome return to the substitutes bench after missing the previous two months action with a broken toe.

After conceding early goals in several recent games it was the Blues' who went close after just 42 seconds today as Leroy Chambers chipped just over the bar from 18 yards. But, within a minute James Sheppard went close for the visitors when he beat Steve Robinson to send a low angled 18 yard shot across the face of goal. The Blues thought they had taken the lead after 9 minutes when Selby's deep free-kick found its was to Chambers who flicked the ball inside to Simon Collins who in turn stabbed the ball on for Evans to beat Andy Banks from 4 yards but he was adjudged to be offside. Minutes later Wael Nazha did well down the left of the box to play the ball in to the near post where Chambers got there before Banks and turned to fire under the 'keeper but the ball was cleared off the line by Nick Horne for a corner. Lee Pugh took the flag-kick which Evans met with a near post header but Banks reacted quickly to push the ball away. Next Evans sent over a great cross from the right which Banks could only tip away at full stretch but the ball fell to Nazha but his shot lacked conviction and the ball was headed off the line. On the half hour Robinson played a good ball down the right for Chambers who immediately lifted it inside for Woolford who then headed on to Nazha as he broke into the box but he was crowded out as he prepared to shoot from near the penalty spot. Shortly afterwards Peter Wright nipped between both Pugh and Robinson to cut inside and fire into the side netting from 18 yards. Selby then saw his 35 yard free-kick tipped over the bar by Banks whilst following the corner, Woolford picked out Chambers with a lofted ball from midfield but Chambers' headed wide at the far post. The Blues finally broke the deadlock a minute before half time when Collins found Chambers outside the Bamber Bridge box and he spotted the run of Evans to play the ball into the box for EVANS to direct the ball under the onrushing Banks and into the net.

The Blues started the seconds half in much the same way, although the visitors started to threaten the Blues' defence more then they had done in the first half. On the hour Ashley Scothern replaced Nazha and within a few minutes seized on a pass from Chambers to shoot wide from a tight angle. Shortly afterwards Selby's 20 yard shot was deflected off a defenders back towards Scothern who couldn't quite react quickly enough as his snap-shot directed the ball inches wide of the far post. With Bridge looking dangerous on the break, particularly with the tricky Peter Wright, the Blues needed a second goal to kill the game off but it was Bridge who almost scored next as Wright broke down the left to play the ball in for John Turner but his diving header was easily collected by Ingham. With 15 minutes to go Gary Marrow introduced Richard Tracey in place of Leroy Chambers, with Tracey moving out to the left. Five minutes from time Collins played a great ball over the defence for Scothern to out pace Horne but his angled shot from just outside the box flew inches wide of the left hand post. The Blues had to endure a nervous last few minutes as Bridge sent a few dangerous crosses into the Blues' box but none really troubled Ingham.