Saturday 25^th October 2003

Unibond Division One

Witton Albion               2(1)(Moseley pen 37, Frost 57)

Bridlington Town             1(1)(Farley 40, Kelly s/o 90)

Att: 310

Referee: J.Higgins – Liverpool

Bridlington Town’s five game unbeaten run came to an end in Cheshire with a narrow defeat at Witton Albion. Town had battled well into a strong wind in the first half and Paul Farley’s spectacular volley levelled Moseley’s penalty before the break. Town failed to take advantage of the wind in the second half and Frost grabbed what proved to be the winner just before the hour.

Bridlington had started well enough, Andy Thompson getting forward to cross and Paul Palmer earning a corner from Craig Burdick’s flick. The home side then pressed forward and came close when both Frost and Sargeson failed to connect with a cross. Both sides were finding it hard to read the flight of the ball in the strong wind but with the wind at their backs Witton had a slight territorial advantage. Working down the left from a throw in, Sargeson fed Moseley and as he turned into the penalty area he was clipped by Shaun Baker and the referee awarded a penalty. Witton’s leading scorer Moseley stepped up and although Kelly got his hand to the ball he couldn’t prevent the goal. Bridlington attacked from the restart and found Danny Drayton. He laid the ball out to Paul Farley who volleyed a spectacular equaliser from around 25 yards. The visitors looked to continue their good form but the half time whistle went before any further gain.

Once again Bridlington began the half well, creating a chance for Drayton but his shot on the turn was inches wide. Witton adapted well to playing into the wind with some neat football and looked to exploit the channels for their pacey strikers. As the hour mark approached a through ball found Frost and Kelly got out well to block his shot. As Town defenders tried to get back to clear Frost reacted the quickest and found enough space to slot home to make it 2 – 1. Bridlington again went in search of an equaliser and forced several corners but on most occasions found themselves penalised for infringements on the home keeper and couldn’t benefit from possession. Witton played a breaking game well with long through ball for their strikers, who caused several problems for Bridlington’s defenders who conceded free kicks, though some of these appeared to be given as Witton’s strikers “stumbled”. In the dying minutes Bridlington again forced a couple of corners and threw everyone forward, including keeper Kelly getting up, but still no reward for their efforts. In stoppage time Witton broke forward again and Frost “stumbled” in the box, looking for another penalty, and as Kelly tried to clear the ball it hit the prone Frost fully on the head. The referee judged this to have been deliberate and showed the red card to Kelly. Thompson took over between the sticks but time ran out with Witton the winners.

Bridlington Town Man of the Match: Steve Robinson

Witton Albion: 1.Paul Gibson, 2.Brad Sandeman, 3.Dave Nolan, 4.Simon Hughes, 5.Gary Furnival, 6.Andy Pavey, 7.Adam Foy, 8.Darrell Dicken, 9.Mike Moseley, 10.Carl Frost, 11.Craig Sargeson, 12.James Wilkinson, 14.Steve Mallinson, 15.Simon Burton

Bridlington Town: 1.Gavin Kelly, 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.Danny Drayton, 11.Paul Farley, 12.Dave Ingram, 14.Andy Taylor (for Farley 85), 15.Stuart Baldwin (for Burdick 76)