The starting line-up was significantly changed giving players with minor injury problems the chance to recover more quickly.
Both teams were on the offensive in the opening minutes with Dayle Hutson’s cross from the right-wing into the opponents’ goal area being cleared up the pitch for Lairds to then test out the Brigg’s defenders with a high ball into the penalty area which was headed safely away. Scott Phillips had the ball in the back of the net after four minutes but the goal was ruled out for off-side.
The opening goal was scored after just nine minutes of play and came from the penalty spot when Danny Stephens tripped Dayle Hutson as he progressed inside the area from the left-wing. Scott Phillips made no mistake in driving the ball into the roof of the net.
Clearly encouraged by their early goal, Brigg attacked again with a free kick into the goal area which was blocked first and then headed clear from the follow-up. After a patient interchange of passes on the right-wing, a long-range shot from Sam Mullally flew over Brigg’s goal but the response to this was decisive with a second goal scored after nineteen minutes. Brigg worked the ball well into the Lairds’ half and when it was played across the goal area, Dayle Hutson was in the right place to drive it into the back of the net.
Brigg looked comfortable with the two-goal lead but Lairds were back into the game after twenty-eight minutes when Jay Harvey met a right-wing cross with a superb volley into the corner of Miles Fenty’s goal. As halftime approached, Scott Phillips seized on to a long forward pass down the middle of the pitch but his shot was comfortably saved.
Five minutes into the second half, Brigg had a good chance to increase their slender lead when Reece Newell ran on clear to a forward pass into the Lairds’ penalty area but chipped the ball past the advancing goalkeeper wide of the top angle of the open goal. Ryan Smith won possession of the ball for Lairds from a right-wing corner kick to send a shot just over the Brigg crossbar.
Brigg introduced Steve McCarron and Jack Richardson for the last half hour and the former soon had a shot flying past the upright post.
The third goal for the home team came after a neat move down the right-wing resulting in a pass into the penalty area from Andy Taylor for Scott Phillips to add to his growing tally. Further attempts on increasing the lead came from another Steve McCarron drive saved low down and a Scott Phillips header over the crossbar. The ball was in the back of the net again after a neatly constructed move but was ruled offside.
Brigg were able to control the game but the visitors showed a fighting spirit to the end of the game and scored a consolation goal in added time after ninety minutes when Danny Stephens met the ball from a left-wing corner to find the roof of the net. That goal came too late to prevent the win secured by Brigg which takes them into the next round against Prestwich F.C. in Manchester.
Next Saturday it’s a return to league fixtures with an away game against Shirebrook Town FC.