By Ben Edwards
It’s a penultimate away game of the season for Bridlington Town, as they travel to Stocksbridge Park Steels with the end of the 2023/24 season in sight.
Having switched to a different formation in the last few weeks, the Seasiders have enjoyed some on the whole improved performances, with a couple of good results.
After a good 0-0 draw against Pontefract Collieries, Adrian Costello’s side reacted to a 5-2 defeat against Ashington with a superb Easter Monday victory just two days later.
Hosting closest Northern Premier League rivals North Ferriby, the Seasiders earned a fantastic 2-1 win.
It was another high-scoring defeat for Bridlington Town last time out, however, as a second home game of the week ended in a 5-3 loss against Newton Aycliffe.
A bizarre game by all accounts saw Bridlington Town start the game well, with opportunities to take the lead, before conceding two goals before half time.
Another two goals after the break saw the Seasiders trail 4-0, before three goals in the final 20 minutes brought Bridlington back into the game. However, a late Newton Aycliffe goal prevented any chance of an incredible comeback.
One positive of late is the amount of goals scored, something Bridlington have struggled with at times this campaign. Having netted seven goals in the last three games, including three goals for Lewis Dennison, and two goals for both Andy Norfolk and Ali Aydemir, Costello can certainly be happy with his side’s attacking threat.
The problem however, is keeping goals out at the other end, having conceded five goals in two of the last three matches.
Bridlington Town have enjoyed a couple of victories against Stocksbridge Park Steels in 2023. In the reverse fixture, they picked up a resounding 4-0 victory back in November, in a game that the visitors ended with eight men due to becoming more and more frustrated.
A player was forced off injured, with Stocksbridge having already made all their substitutes, before Jordan Lemon and Tom Poole were both sent off.
The two sides also faced each other at the Hudgell Solicitor Stadium in the final game of last season, where Matt Broadley’s header was the only goal of the game as Bridlington won 1-0.
It was a crucial game for both sides, as it confirmed Bridlington’s safety in the Northern Premier League for another season.
For Stocksbridge, they were still fighting for a playoff spot, though despite the loss they still finished 5th. However, they lost 4-3 on penalties to Stockton Town in the playoff semi-final, after drawing 2-2 in regular time.
It’s been a much worse campaign for the Steels this season, as they occupy 15th place, just one place above the Seasiders. That being said, Stocksbridge’s home record is certainly not that of a side towards the bottom of the table
They’ve lost just one of their previous eight games at Bracken Moor Lane, and have won three on the bounce at home against three strong teams.
After a 3-2 victory against Consett AFC, Stocksbridge picked up two 1-0 wins against Newton Aycliffe and Pontefract Collieries, respectively.
Their last game, though, was away from home, where they lost 3-1 to North Ferriby. Tom Charlesworth was dismissed in that game, and as such will miss the game against Bridlington Town through suspension.
