Hallam made the first attack with a ball into space on the right-wing but this was covered well and blocked to run beyond the goal line. Brigg responded with a similar move on their right but Boswell’s deep cross landed on the top netting of the goal. Goalkeeper Birch then had to make a low diving save at the feet of Iren Wilson and then a long free-kick from the centre circle by Birks drifted out of play at the far post.
Hallam continued to press and Chris Wood struck a powerful shot against the Brigg goal crossbar after the ball fell kindly at his feet from a deflection. When the home team began to get more of the play, De Gruchy got forward to strike a shot over the bar from twenty yards out. A long free-kick from the Brigg right wing was headed away for a corner kick and a second corner kick from the other wing was cleared up the pitch.
This spell of pressure continued after a free kick for a foul on Ben Lingard went right across the face of the goal. Hallam attacked again but Iren Wilson was caught offside and then Birch was smartly off his goal line to pick the ball up under pressure in the subsequent move.
The opening goal came in the thirty-seventh minute from the penalty spot after a careless tackle by central defender Salt. Ben Lingard beat the ‘keeper with a firm strike into the corner of the net. Birch preserved the lead in the last attack of the first half when he got down well to win the ball ten yards off his goal line with a well-judged interception.
The second half began with a shot by Lingard from the edge of the penalty area going over the crossbar. Chris Rodgers conceded a free-kick from the halfway line. The ball was played to the far side of the goal and headed against the post before bouncing to safety.
Hallam won another corner kick on the left from which the ball was crossed deep across the face of the goal and finished up in the top corner of the net. However, the Referee was called to the attention of his Assistant and after their discussion, the goal was disallowed.
Brigg made their substitutions halfway through the second period of play but Hallam kept up the attacks with strikes at goal from James Gregory and Richard Patterson going close. Brigg responded with substitute Martin Pembleton making a long forward run and his final shot was blocked on the goal line by ‘keeper Walker.
Play was end to end with great chances falling to both teams but Hallam found an equaliser ten minutes from time. Possession of the ball was lost outside the Hallam penalty area and it was quickly moved up the middle of the pitch for James Gregory to find the back of the net and giving the initiative to his team. The earliest they came to taking the lead was from a free-kick just outside the area which flew over the crossbar.
The game went into extra time play and Brigg were back in front within two minutes of the re-start. A positive run down the middle of the pitch resulted in a firm strike from Martin Pembleton finding the back of the net with confidence. Chances continued to fall at both ends up to the final whistle but Brigg finished with the result in their favour, extending their unbeaten start to the season.
The two teams meet again later in the month but the next home game on Saturday is against Selby Town.