Brid victory hopes foiled by Liversedge

BRIDLINGTON Town took a share of the spoils with a 1-1 draw against Liversedge n the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

For the second time in consecutive home games Brid took an early lead and then failed to capitalise on a good start.

Liversedge showed their intentions by playing a 4-5-1 formation and, with getting nine players behind the ball at every opportunity and spent the majority of the game on the defensive.

With Town making a positive start their new signing from Scarborough Athletic, Craig Hogg, was in the early action and from his head on in the third minute Nathan Hotte crossed the ball for Phil Harrison to tap in at the far post.

Hogg also had an attempt on goal blocked by Alan Jordan in the six-yard box.

With most of the play in their half it was not until the 15th minute that Liversedge got sight of the Bridlington goal when Brook Newton shot well wide of Mark Wilberforce's left hand post.

Stuart Wilkinson was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers saving low down to his left from Allanson then twice turning efforts by Hogg round the post and also saving well from Harrison.

Brid had two penalty appeals turned down after Hotte and Hogg went tumbling in the area.

Newton had two more attempts on goal but blazed over the bar from one before directing the second straight at Wilberforce.

Elliot Williams also had a shot well saved by the home goalkeeper.

The second half began with Town again on the front foot and Hogg was thwarted at the expense of the first of many second half corners as he tried to mark his debut by getting on the score sheet.

In the 57th minute Liversedge stunned their hosts by drawing level.

Frank Belt slipped when attempting to reach a pass from Wilberforce and Scott Ryan took advantage to make progress.

Town failed to cut out the danger and the ball reached Jamie Wasley who had time and space to pick his spot as he planted the ball past the left hand of Wilberforce into the net.

Tom Chippendale came on for the last half hour for the Seasiders after captain Tom Fleming went off with an injury that could keep him side-lined for a few matches.

Liversedge settled for a point by packing the defence and being content to kick the ball anywhere out of the danger area.

They had some anxious moments and when Wilkinson saved a shot from Hotte, the follow up by Harrison was cleared off the line then Wallace drove the loose ball just wide.

Town gained a string of corners but the delivery tended tom be indifferent and posed little threat.

Adam Mountford came on for Harrison and Frank Belt was pushed forward in an attempt to win the game.

Wallace had a header tipped over, Hotte's shot was well saved and Chippendale tried a chip that just looped over.

In the dying minutes Wallace limped off to add to the growing injury list after his foot was caught in a tackle when attempting a shot on goal.

Tomorrow is Tenants v Landlords when Bridlington Town are "away" to Scarborough Athletic at Queensgate.

They have faced each other twice already this season with each game bringing in over 1,000 spectators through the gate.

Scarborough won the league game 2-1 while a week later Bridlington triumphed 5-2 in the F.A. Vase.

With injuries mounting up Town are hoping to make further signings in the next few days.

Bridlington Town: Wilberforce, Belt, Dexter, Allanson, Lee, Giblin, Hotte, Fleming (capt.) (Chippendale 60), Hogg, Wallace (Burdick 88), Harrison (Mountford 72).