GLS Football

Saturday 6th March 2004

Unibond Division One

Stocksbridge 2-0 Bridlington Town

Att 272

Bridlington Town missed a number of good chances in this Unibond League Division One match that could well have earned them at least a point. The Seasiders welcomed back Captain Lee Harper for his first start in 6 months and they dominated the opening 10 minutes including hitting the post with a glancing header from Shaun Baker but failed to get the early break through. This gave the home side the confidence to go in search of the opening goal. Town had a warning on 14 minutes when Chris Hill had to save from the lively Curtis Burnard. Hill was again on form to deny Stuart Copwell, turning the shot onto the post and out for a corner.

Two minutes later Stocksbridge took the lead. A ball behind Town’s back four saw Copwell through to fire past Hill to make it 1-0. Town again created one or two chances but looked hesitant at the back as the home side poured forwards. Harper was obviously struggling and was replaced by Steve Robinson on the half hour but another defensive error by the Seasiders let Copwell in again on 40 minutes to make it 2-0 with a clinical finish. A stunning volley from the home sides Andy Ring almost brought a third goal but the woodwork came to Town’s rescue.

In the second half Town regained their shape and played some neat football as they looked to reduce the deficit. Paul Palmer was only an inch away from getting on the end of an Andy Taylor free kick on 46 minutes then Phil Harrison could only look in disbelief as his exquisite volley beat the keeper but cannoned off the bar and was scrambled clear. Martin Thacker was introduced as the Seasiders looked for more openings. A Stuart Baldwin free kick was cleared of the Stocksbridge line then on 65 minutes a goalmouth scramble in the home box saw the ball squirm right to Dave Ingram. Ingram pick out Paul Palmer only for the Town strikers effort to be cleared off the line.

Towns Baldwin and Stocksbridge’ Copwell were then booked as Town lined up a free kick and within a matter of minutes Copwell received a second yellow apparently for dissent and was invited to leave the field courtesy of the referees red card. Town continued to make openings but left themselves open at times as they looked to pull a goal back. The lively Burnard continued to give the Seasiders defence a torrid time but some resolute defending kept him at bay.

Town manager Billy Heath brought on Danny Drayton and it was Drayton who looked to have set up Palmer in the 81st minute only for Palmers goal bound effort to be blocked by some last ditch defending. Further chances fell to HARRISON, Ingram and Drayton but Town failed to find the back of the net and despite 5 additional minutes, the Seasiders just couldn’t find away past home keeper Richard Siddall and his determined defence as the Seasiders went down to a disappointing defeat.

Town

1.Hill, 2. Thompson, 3.Taylor, 4.Baker, 5.Harper ((15.Robinson 31 mins), 6.Heath, 7.Ingram, 8.Lewis (12. Thacker 50 mins), 9.Harrison, 10.Palmer, 11.Baldwin (14.Drayton 81mins)