GLS Football

Saturday 21^st February 2004

Unibond Division One

Bridlington Town 0 (0)(Thacker miss pen 51)

Rossendale Utd 1 (0)(Hindle 54)

Att: 184

Referee: S.D.Rowntree – Scarborough

A missed penalty and a string of missed chances were Bridlington’s downfall in this match.

A long kick from Hill in Town’s goal almost fell for Harrison but Andrews got out just in time to gather. Bridlington kept the pressure on, pegging back their visitors until an interception gave possession away. The home side were soon advancing again and a corner on the right was earned. Burdick’s header was flicked on by Palmer but Andrews saved with his legs. Palmer was put through by a high Thacker ball but again Andrews gathered. Rossendale went on the attack and a lofted ball into the area saw Hill tip over for a corner. A second followed immediately then a third as the home side looked to defend, before Challender blazed the ball well over the bar from the edge of the area. Rossendale broke forwards and a cross field ball found Brooks who fired across the face of the goal. After more Bridlington pressure, where the final ball was just too long, Rossendale made efforts forward but again were wayward in shooting. Bridlington returned play up field with Palmer overlapping with Thompson before a corner was won. Keeper Andrews had to punch clear from the kick. On the half hour a cross from Burdick was headed into the danger area by Ingram but just too far in front of Harrison and the Rossendale defence cleared. Hindle and Brooks combined for Rossendale forcing Heath to clear for a corner, though Town then cleared the danger. Rossendale attacked down the left with Perkins but his cross was too deep and went behind. With five minutes of the half remaining Rossendale lifted in a free kick, Hindle turned and shot and Hill palmed the ball over acrobatically. Town broke forwards, Harrison saw his shot saved, Palmer tried the follow up but somehow Rossendale managed to scramble the ball away as Burdick tried a second follow up. A foul on Harrison 25 yards out then gave the home side an opportunity. Thacker curled the ball just wide of the post. Town were attacking but the whistle went to end the half goalless. HT 0 – 0

Early pressure from the home side gave Harrison chance to shoot but he couldn’t get enough power in his shot. Five minutes in a free kick from the half way line was lifted in by Thompson. Steve Heath was dragged down in the box and a penalty awarded. Andrews saved Thacker’s kick with his legs. Rossendale hit along ball forward and Hindle raced through. Hill came out to the edge of his area but Hindle evaded the challenge and fired home from a narrow angle to open the scoring on 54 mins. Town looked to hit back and pressed. Ingram was unlucky to see a header tipped onto the bar by Andrews, before Baker hit a shot wide of the post. Richards came on to replace Harrison for Bridlington and was soon in action with a shot going just wide. Rossendales’Hindle was played in again on 65 mins but hit his shot straight at Hill. Back at the other end and Palmer saw a narrow shot headed clear from under the bar by Perkins. Richards created a chance for Palmer but Andrews was out in the nick of time to save at Palmer’s feet. Bridlington had to push men forward in search of the equaliser but this left a gap that Hindle tried to exploit as Rossendale played the long ball. Bridlington kept the ball forward and pressed incessantly but each time Rossendale managed to clear as the clock ran down. Deep in stoppage time Palmer and Burdick combined to give Baker a clear shot but he fired wide in Bridlington’s last chance went.

Bridlington Town Man of The Match: Steve Heath

Sponsors: Ideal Building Systems, Gladwish Lands Sales

Bridlington Town: 1.Chris Hill, 2.Andy Thompson, 3.Steve Robinson, 4.Shaun Baker, 5.Craig Suddaby, 6.Steve Heath, 7.Craig Burdick, 8.Martin Thacker, 9.Paul Palmer, 10.Phil Harrison (Richards 62), 11.Dave Ingram (Taylor 85), 12.Jamie Richards, 14.Andy Taylor, 15.Lee Harper

Rossendale: 1.Mark Andrews, 2.Phil Bayliss, 3.Chris Perkins, 4.Scott Bonsall, 5.Matt Woods, 6.Greg Challender, 7.Phil Lockett, 8.Chris Brooks, 9.Simon Burton, 10.Damian Hindle, 11.Chris Fitzsimmons, 12.Dave Gamble, 14.Richard Townsend, 15.Jim McCluskie