Just Stu-pendous stuff as Vasey is saviour yet again

Vasey latched on to substitute Greg Johnstone’s flick-on to head Alistair Waddecar’s fierce set-piece into the bottom corner and level in the 78th minute and bag his second goal for the club.

Vasey scored his first goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Kendal Town on Saturday.

Brig went behind in the third minute of the NPL First Division North clash as Borough’s Bevan Burey picked the ball up on the edge of the box and smashed a thunderous shot beyond helpless Brig keeper Lee Dovey.

Chaos ensued in the 10th minute as linesman Dave Jones slipped while flagging Andy Bell offside and was hospitalised with a suspected broken ankle, causing the game to be paused for 18
minutes.

After the restart livewire Bell stung Radcliffe keeper Chris Cheetham’s palms in the 13th minute, Waddecar hit a free-kick against the post and Cheetham stopped defender Glenn Steel’s powerful header.

And Steel was soon in action at the other end as he blocked Jack Hindle’s shot off the line.

Brig went forward again and Chris Mason’s fierce effort rattled back off the bar, down on the goal-line and to safety.

Brig came out fired up in the second half and substitute Paul Alexander’s free-kick flew just wide of the post in the 51st minute and Vasey stabbed just wide.

Brig could have been down to ten men in the 56th minute as Matt Lawlor brought down Burey on the edge of the box and appeared to be the last man but referee David Croft decided to book the defender.

Still most of the attacking came from Brig and Bell had a shot saved by Cheetham before Vasey did find the back of the net.

Brig weren’t satisfied yet and pressed hard for a winner but young sub Daniel Leigh’s saw his shot fly wide, Johnstone’s goalbound effort was bundled away by Cheetham and a Waddecar header flew off target in the 89th minute.

Brig boss Neil Crowe praised his young guns but thought his side should have bagged all three points.

He said: “I felt we should have won the game definitely.

“Their lad scored a wonder goal to put them one up and I don’t think the break in play to replace the injured linesman helped either team.

“Young Joseph Mullen did well in centre midfield – he’s been suffering with flu so I knew he wouldn’t last the game.

“We brought young Danny Leigh on and he did well and so did Greg Johnstone.

“Greg came on up front and had something to prove.

“He wants to start matches and I thought he put himself about and did well.

“It’s good to have that choice on the bench.

“But we’ve picked up a few injuries, George Bowyer will be out for a while and Parish picked up an injury on Saturday and will be out for a bit.”

BRIG: Dovey, Mahoney, Bowyer (Alexander 8), Steel, Lawlor, Kay, Waddecar, Mullen (Leigh 76), Vasey, Bell, Marlow (Johnstone 60). Subs not used: Doughty, Reynolds

Attendance: 244