By Ben Edwards. Photos: Dom Taylor/Echo Media Group.
It was the late, late show for the second week in a row…
In a vastly entertaining game, Bridlington Town narrowly beat North Shields 2-1 at Queensgate, thanks to an injury time winner from substitute Jack Yates.
Bridlington Town created the better chances in the opening 45 minutes, the first of which came eight minutes in. Jake Martindale met a cross from the left, flicked it up and played it to Ali Aydemir, but his effort was mishit and easily saved by Finlay Hodgson in the North Shields goal.
Matty Dixon did well down the right flank to win a corner for the home side. It was taken by Aydemir, whose outswinging set piece was met by the head of Jack Bulless, though he could only place it wide of the left hand post.
The first half concluded deadlocked, with both teams trying to play nice football, and Bridlington Town looking the more likely to score.
After a first half that, whilst lacking goals, was pleasant to watch for supporters – the goals soon came after Alex Sawden blew to start the second half.
North Shields took the lead just five minutes into the half, when a cross was met by striker Dan Wilson, who tapped the ball home at the back post from close range.
The hosts provided an instant response, however, as just a minute later Aydemir was set through down the right by Martindale after a good dummy from Matt Broadley. The tricky winger beat Hodgson with a brilliant low strike into the bottom left corner.
With half an hour to go, Broadley did well to flick a loose ball over the opposition defender, but he fired just over. This proved to be his final action of the game as he was replaced by Jack Yates.
The match turned into an end to end counter with 15 minutes left on the clock. Bridlington had a chance when Aydemir had the ball down the right and looked for Yates free in the middle. The winger would’ve had a tap in but Hodgson got to the ball.
The following attack saw North Shields get to the byline. They too played a square ball, but Benn Lewis, who put in an excellent performance at right back, did well to intercept the pass. The hosts tried to counter attack, but a ball through to substitute Joe Norton was won by a defender.
Shortly after, Bridlington won a corner which was almost bundled home by James Williamson, but the ball was put behind for a second corner. Andy Norfolk again whipped it in to Aydemir who was unmarked at the front post, but it was glanced over.
The winner then came in the third of three additional minutes. Yates looked to bend a dangerous shot that was blocked for a corner. From the resulting corner, Yates rose highest to head Bridlington Town into the lead – a goal that earned them a well fought three points in front of 320 fans at the Hudgell Solicitor Stadium.
Mike Thompson’s side have a break from league action on Tuesday night, as he faces his former team Beverley Town at Queensgate in the East Riding Senior Cup. Kick off is at 7:45pm.
