Brig starting to build up a head of steam

A goal in each half at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium on Saturday was enough for Brig to secure a 2-0 success and record their third consecutive victory in the NPL First Division North.

Glossop look well placed for a play-off spot this season but they were comfortably beaten by their hosts thanks to goals from Jamie Milligan and Stuart Vasey.

And the Brig boss, who is 11 games into his tenure after taking over from Neil Crowe in December, believes his men are still right in the play-off mix as the season enters into its final third.

Reynolds said: “I’m really pleased – that’s three wins out of three. The lads are doing great to be honest.

“They are really buying into the way we want to play and what we want to achieve.

“Glossop are above us in the table. They have games in hand on everyone and have some great players.

“I fully expect them to be up near the top of the league.

“But I think their manager Chris Willcock was a little bit surprised. I don’t think he expected us to be as good as we were.

“We started the game against Glossop very well and deserved to get the goal.

“A few people have come up to me and said that was the best first-half performance they have seen at Bamber Bridge.

“Confidence is high among the lads and all credit to them.

“If you look at the league table, we’re only six points off the play-offs.

“We have 15 games to go and we’re looking to pick up as many points as we can do and then see where we are.

“It’s going to be very difficult to win 15 out of 15.

“To get in the play-offs we’re probably looking at having to win 10 of those, which is a big ask at this level of football, and you probably need to pick up a couple of points in the other games as well.”

Reynolds is also hoping to make another signing this week with Ramsbottom United’s Sam Freakes on his radar after he placed seven days’ notice on the midfielder.

Tonight, Brig host Kendal Town before travelling to Tadcaster Albion at the weekend. Chris McDonagh should be available, although Chris Marlow is still on the treatment table.

Captain Matt Lawlor, who has been struggling with a niggly hamstring injury, was on the bench on Saturday after missing the last couple of weeks.

He is edging ever closer to full fitness, although faces a fight on his hands to regain his place after the good form of Phil Doughty and Josh Heaton in the centre of defence.

Elsewhere tonight, leaders Lancaster City will be bidding to extend their four-point lead at the top when they welcome Radcliffe Borough to Giant Axe.