Heaton Stannington 1 v 4 Bridlington Town
By Alexander Fynn
A Michael Coulson hat-trick secured all 3 points for Mike Thompson’s Seasiders as they faced fellow strugglers Heaton Stannington in the NPL East relegation battle.
This was a match that could prove crucial to Bridlington Town’s survival chances in the league, moving them up to 16th, but they are still in a battle to remain in the league.
The first chance came for the visitors with just five minutes on the clock when Jack Hall fired in a great kick to Ahmed Salam; however, Salam’s header was easily dealt with by the Stan’ keeper.
Coulson broke the deadlock for the Seasiders when Salam was able to fire in a pinpoint cross to Coulson. The striker headed a thunderous shot into the back of the net.
However, Heaton Stannington quickly responded as Bailey Adamson was one-on-one with the keeper and dribbled around Lewis to tap the ball in, leveling the scores.
Coulson, though, sent the Seasiders back in front from a Salam corner, and the striker gave the goalkeeper no chance while he was rooted to his spot.
Once again it was the ever present Coulson who completed his hat-trick with about 3 minutes gone in the second half from the penalty spot, as Ahmed Salam was pulled down in the area and the striker fired the ball in.
It was very much middle play for the rest of the second half, with no side having any clear-cut chances or creating any advantage.
Bailey Adamson had a chance to get Heaton Stannington back into the game, as a cross came into the middle, but Adamson’s shot was just dragged wide. Mike Thompson decided to make some changes as Ahmed Salam came off for Nathan Dyer.
Sam Leverett whipped in a corner, only to have it cleared away by the Stan’.
The Town side, though, were not done, as Tom Allan made it four for the Seasiders. Once again, Michael Coulson fired in a free kick into the middle, and Allan hit a bullet header into the net. Hat-trick hero Michael Coulson was rested later towards the end game for Dan Hartley with the crucial points in the bag.
Mike Thompson had this to say after the match:
“We told them pre-game, if we win, we go out of the relegation zone regardless of what happens around us. We know the importance of the game, but we came here to win.”
The Seasiders now have a week off as they face second-place Emley on the 5th of April.
A win in this match will be crucial to NPL East survival.
