Ben Edwards previews the Seasiders match against Carlton Town
Bridlington Town have had a fairly difficult start to 2024 in terms of fixtures, which continues as they travel to Nottinghamshire to take on Carlton Town on Saturday 20th January.
Adrian Costello’s side started the year away from home against Liversedge, and despite taking the lead, fell to a 4-2 defeat.
Following that, the Seasiders’ first home game of the year was against league-leaders Stockton Town.
Ali Aydemir netted twice, just a few minutes either of half time, helping his side to a 2-2 draw which put to an end the Anchors’ nine-game winning streak in the Northern Premier League East Division.
The winger’s brace made it eight goals, in all competitions so far this season, the most of any Bridlington Town player.
Carlton Town will now host Stockton Town in their next match on Tuesday evening, before welcoming Bridlington Town for what will be their fourth home game in just 10 days.
The Millers lost 2-0 against Basford United in the Nottinghamshire Cup Quarter Final, before beating Winterton Rangers 2-1 after a stoppage time headed winner from Khyle Sargent.
Those games were after Carlton got off to a winning start to the year away from home, picking up a 4-1 victory against North Ferriby.
Bridlington Town will know they are in for another tough encounter, as Saturday’s hosts have had a much improved season and currently lie fourth. They should, however, use the Stockton Town result as evidence that they are more than capable of giving anybody a match.
That being said, the league table didn’t reflect how good a point it was against the table-toppers, as the Seasiders actually dropped one position into 12th.
After a few weeks out due to injury, Jack Walters again missed Bridlington’s last game, with Costello confirming afterwards that the left-back has decided to leave the club to join fellow Northern Premier League East side North Ferriby.
The Bridlington Town manager also admitted that he is actively looking for a replacement, having approached a left-back about joining the club so hopefully that deal will go over the line in time for the Carlton game.
Failing that, defender Benn Lewis has also been out injured for multiple weeks, so hopefully he will be able to return as he is able to fill in on the left side of defence.
Scoring has not been an issue for Bridlington Town recently, as they have netted two goals in all of their last three games, with one goal coming in each half of those games. Hopefully they can continue their goalscoring form, whilst putting in a resolute defensive performance.
As mentioned previously, Carlton are a much improved side this campaign, as Bridlington Town picked up a deserved 4-2 victory at the Bill Stokeld Stadium in February against a Carlton side who finished the season in 17th to narrowly avoid relegation.
They did, however, leave the Hudgell Solicitor Stadium with all three points earlier this season. After taking the lead in the first half, the Millers defended excellently to see the game out and pick up a 1-0 victory despite a good performance from Bridlington Town.
