Report by Ben Edwards
Bridlington Town’s trip to Stocksbridge Park Steels saw the home side score three goals without response from the Seasiders. Mike Thompson opted to make six changes to the starting lineup, including a first start for attacker Ryan Caulfield.
The visitors proved to be the better side in the opening ten minutes. They had the first shot of the game through Caulfield, but his 30-yard effort was deflected into the arms of Henry Hampshaw in between the Stocksbridge sticks.
Stocksbridge did have a chance however, when Sutton put a low cross behind for Stocksbridge’s first corner. It came in from the right and the Bridlington defence allowed Elliot Murray to have a free header, though he put it wide.
Just four minutes later, Stocksbridge had the ball in the back of the net when Benn Lewis let his man get in behind him. The square ball was put into the empty net by Ify Ofoegbu, but the referee, who had a controversial game in the eyes of the Bridlington Town players and staff, says there was a handball and blew for a Bridlington Town free kick – a let off for the Seasiders!
Shortly after, Caulfield switched the ball excellently to opposite winger Ali Aydemir who beat his man and had his cross blocked for a corner. From the set piece, James Williamson rose highest but had his effort cleared off the line. He also won the header from the rebound, but again was denied by a defender on the goal-line! The opening twenty minutes saw an end-to-end encounter at the Bracken Moor Stadium.
Will Sutton almost scored an unbelievable goal when the ball was switched to him after some nice link-up play in the midfield. His mazy run saw him beat three men superbly, but his right-footed strike curled just over.
A few times in the first half, Jake Martindale tried to put pressure on Hampshaw from crosses, causing him to fumble the ball on more than one occasion, though the man in the middle was having none of it, blowing for a foul each time before telling the teams at half time that the next man to do so would find himself cautioned.
It was safe to say that it was a game of two halves, as despite a promising performance from Bridlington Town in the first half, they found themselves behind in strange fashion. James Hitchcock came out of his area for a loose ball, but was beaten to it by Tomas Poole, who chipped the shot stopper, with Lewis not able to clear on the line.
Mike Thompson’s side showed a decent response to going behind, almost equalising from an inswinging corner from the left, but Jack Bulless’ header was glanced agonisingly wide.
Bridlington Town were forced into taking off skipper Jack Griffin just before the hour mark, as he couldn’t continue due to an injury picked up from a strong challenge in the first half. On came Andy Norfolk in his place, who took the armband.
Stocksbridge added a second not long after, which came from a poor header by Bulless back to Hitchcock which rolled behind for a cornerj. Whilst the corner was over everybody, Lewis Macaskill picked up the ball and beat multiple men before finishing nicely into the bottom right corner.
It was nearly three less than two minutes later. The Bridlington defence were caught not concentrating, allowing the dangerous-looking Macaskill to take the ball round Hitchcock, but Benn Lewis blocked on the line. Bulless then picked up a booking for dissent.
Aydemir won a free kick next to the left corner flag. It was whipped in but easily claimed by Hampshaw. Unfortunately for Bridlington, Bulless challenged him, and was shown his second yellow card in as many minutes, the referee saying he had warned the players at half time. This forced Noah Stokes to shift from holding midfield to centre back in Bulless’ place.
Stokes then almost put the ball into his own net when he got a foot in the way of Macaskill’s shot one-on-one. Though it looked to be going behind, the centre-back put the ball over the goal behind for a corner.
The deal was well and truly sealed with two minutes to go, when poor defending allowed Poole space, who finished well to claim his second and Stocksbridge’s third goal of the game.
The seasiders will look to bounce back next Saturday, when they face Grantham Town in the first of two consecutive home games. Lets get Queensgate rocking for the next two weeks!
