Whitby journey shows just how far Bamber Bridge have come '“ Neil Reynolds

After being accustomed to the fairly locals trips in the NPL First Division North in previous years, Brig now find themselves with treks much further afield.

This weekend’s journey to the North East a case in point, but Reynolds revealed he is relishing the prospect.

He said: “A three-and-a-half journey on a Saturday?For me I think it’s amazing.

“I can’t wait to get there. I’ve never been. I think it shows just how far we have come that we are competing against teams like Whitby and Scarborough the followingSaturday.

“These are big established clubs in non-league.

“We can’t wait to go and lock horns with them.

“You look at the league table, there doesn’t seem to be a significant difference between where we are and they are.

“But we know we have to do the travelling and be at our best, which we have to be in every game because I haven’t come across a bad team at this level. Whitby are a team who are big and strong down their spine, who lile to move the ball back front quickly.

“They like to get in behind your back four and have a good fanbase, who get behind them at home.

“They are good at set pieces so we know it’s going to be another test which we are kind of getting used to.”

With Michael Potts suspended, Reynolds is likely to give a debut to new signing Darren McKnight, who he signed this week from Glossop North End.

He said: “Darren’s a central midfielder, 6ft tall, right and left foot; he can get the ball moving and get us playing. He does not mind a tackle either.”

Meanwhile, Brad Carsley’s return to goalscoring form has pleased Reynolds – although the boss was not overly concerned about his star striker.

The 24-year-old (right) had struggled for goals in the first few months of the season, but appears to be back in the groove in recent weeks.

Reynolds revealed Carsley offers much more to his team than just goals and he is certainly not judging him by the amount of times he finds the net.

“Brad is a goalscorer,” said Reynolds. “But more importantly he’s been a No.9 for us this season with the way we play. I think he hadn’t scored in eight game or something like that, but it did not matter because of the contribution he was making.”