Basford United 2, Bamber Bridge 1: Poor start proves costly

Two goals in the opening 15 minutes from the hosts gave Brig a mountain to climb – and although they battled gamely, they were unable to find a way back into the match.

The game was only 10 minutes old when Matthew Thornhill curled a brilliant free-kick into the top corner.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 as Brig conceded a bizarre second goal. Debutant goalkeeper William Marment rushed from his goal to clear but strikes the ball against the advancing Revarnelle James, the ball loops back over his head into an empty net.

Mark Yeates went close with a few long range efforts as Brig searched for a way back into the match.

Isaac Sinclair then had a great opportunity to pull a goal back but he delayed his effort with the keeper out of position and the chance went begging.

Brig continued to push forward after the break and Yeates dribbled inside the box before setting up Danny Forbes but his shot sailed over the bar.

But Forbes wasn’t to be denied a second time as he made it 2-1 with a fine header after a great cross from Rowan Roache.

The visitors continued to push forward in the final 20 minutes but they were unable to find the second goal which would have given them a deserved point.

Elsewhere, Lancaster City got their league campaign up and running with a superb 4-2 away win at Grantham Town.

It was certainly frantic start to the match as four goals were scored in the opening 22 minutes.