By Ben Edwards
The Hudgell Solicitor Stadium has been a place where Bridlington Town have enjoyed many good results this season, and they will certainly be hoping for more of the same as they go again on Saturday against Consett AFC.
With the International Break putting a halt to Premier League and Championship football, chairman Peter Smurthwaite is offering reduced admission to season ticket holders of Leeds United, Hull City and Scarborough Athletic.
The Seasiders were expecting to commence their East Riding Senior Cup campaign on Tuesday, but the East Riding FA’s pitch fell foul of the strong weather, and as such was deemed unplayable.
It means Adrian Costello’s side go into the game with a week’s break from action. Most recently, they picked up a hard-fought 1-1 draw on the road to Newton Aycliffe.
A great defensive performance saw the Seasiders hold out an attack-minded Newton Aycliffe side all the way until the 88th minute, after Lewis Dennison’s tremendous finish in the 77th minute put his team ahead.
The draw, only their second of the campaign, drops Bridlington Town one place into 12th, having picked up 17 points.
Consett, meanwhile, are going well in the Northern Premier League East Division, sitting in 4th position, their 25 points enough to see them occupy a playoff spot.
Part of this season’s success so far will be down to Will Shaw, whose nine goals see him sit joint-second in the league’s top goalscorer charts. He’s joined by another three players on eight league goals, all of whom are only behind Belper Town’s Kevin Bastos with 13 goals.
Saturday’s visitors have won their last three fixtures. They made the short journey to Newton Aycliffe on a Friday evening to pick up a 4-1 victory, before earning back-to-back 3-2 wins at home against Cleethorpes Town and Grantham Town.
Similarly, Bridlington Town have responded well to their five-game losing streak, picking up just one defeat in the following five games. It goes without saying that both sides will be hoping to continue their excellent form.
Costello should have a full squad to pick from for Saturday’s game, that is with the exception of George Harrison. The York City loanee sustained an injury whilst training with his parent club, and is expected to be unavailable for a few weeks.
Bridlington Town’s first away victory came against Consett AFC last campaign, a game that ended 3-2 in October last year. The fixture at Queensgate, however, was a much less entertaining goalless draw.
The Seasiders have also enjoyed some positive cup results against the Steelmen previously. In 2021, it was another 3-2 victory at Belle View which saw Bridlington progress to the FA Cup First Round.
During the 2018/19 season, Jake Day’s goal during extra time was enough to earn a 1-0 victory over Consett AFC at Queensgate in the FA Vase Second Qualifying Round.
