In a lively opening spell, Scott Phillips won a right-wing corner kick for the home team but this was cleared from the penalty area. Welfare’s immediate response resulted in a free kick outside the penalty area for a foul against the lively Rhys Plater being played into the path of Steve Garner but his attempted shot at goal sailed over the bar from twenty yards out.
Wayne Graves was penalised for another foul but David Birch made a low diving save to gather the ball. Continuing to press forward, Armthorpe scored the first goal after five minutes when Ali Khaid’s right-wing cross found Rhys Plater free at the far post to stroke the ball into the back of the net.
A free kick from Martin Pembleton was blocked by the defensive wall but as Brigg began to get more of the ball, an equalising goal was scored after twenty minutes of play. The play was patient down the right-wing before Dayle Hutson took possession prior to striking a firm shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle fifteen yards out.
Armthorpe made a quick response when Adam Baskerville ran clear of a retreating defence but pushed the ball wide as David Birch tried to narrow his shooting angle. Brigg’s next attack was down their left-wing, winning a corner kick which Finlay O’Sullivan met with a header over the bar.
Another corner kick from the right-wing was headed wide of the upright by Tom Johnson and then some neat inter-passing play by Wayne Graves and Scott Phillips resulted in a shot from the former going just wide of the target.
Chances were coming at both ends of the pitch and the first half closed with Adam Baskerville breaking clear on the right before crossing the ball into the middle for Max Hatton but Brigg goalkeeper David Birch saved low down with his legs.
Brigg began to control the game in the second half but the plucky Armthorpe team always posed a danger with their counterattacks and worked solidly as a unit. Goalkeeper Sam Ogden made an instinctive low save off Scott Phillips after Alfie Usher’s penetrating run and Dayle Hutson’s goal-bound strike was deflected past the upright post.
Armthorpe continued to create chances with Rhys Plater forcing David Birch into another diving save at the foot of his near-side post.
Both teams were looking for all three points with Brigg striking the woodwork twice and forcing Sam Ogden into blocking saves, getting injured in the cause. Ten minutes from time, Armthorpe’s best chance of the half came when Rhys Plater’s cross was deflected clear of the near post.
As the game moved into added time, Brigg won a free kick outside the penalty area in a reasonably central position which Alfie Usher curled past the defensive wall, finding the top corner of the net to win the game.
Saturday’s league match is away at Clipstone.
