In their first attack down the left-wing, Jonathan Oglesby won a throw-in close to the corner flag but the ball played into the penalty area was comfortably cleared. Then Leon Dawson pushed forward to get another cross into the area for Scott Phillips but his header went wide. Dayle Hutson was fouled on the right-wing but the free kick awarded was cleared.
Continuing to press, Finlay O’Sullivan created an opening for Jonathan Oglesby but the ball was run out of play. The ‘Rail’ began to settle to their game plan but a long free kick from Dan Thirkell into the Brigg penalty area ran out of play.
The visitors scored the first goal after seventeen minutes of play. It was the result of a long goal kick straight down the middle of the pitch into space which allowed Joseph Crosby to take possession before beating David Birch with a firm drive into the back of the net from the edge of the area. This all-important first goal gave the visiting team confidence to engage in continuous attacks and domination of play for the rest of the first half.
The second goal was scored after thirty-five minutes and again the result of poor defending. After working the ball down the right-wing, it was switched easily inside to wrong-foot the defence and allowed the alert Joseph Crosby to double the lead before the half-time break.
The ’Rail’ began the second half with confidence winning another free kick from forty yards out which went over the crossbar. Brigg then began to get more possession and Scott Phillips had a header on target but safely held by goalkeeper Joe Witton.
Brigg continued to press and reduced the arrears after an hour of play when Nathan Peat headed the ball into the net at the far post after it was crossed into the goal area from a right-wing free kick. Jack Richardson went close with another header which went over the bar and from a scramble inside the goal area the ball was cleared by the ’Rail’ defenders.
Brigg continued to press hard for an equaliser but the ‘Rail’ defenders were well up to the task of holding their goal advantage and played well to see the game end in their favour.
They now travel to take on North Ferriby next Saturday afternoon in a match to decide which will join Hallam in the Premier Division next season.