Brid Celebrate After Derby Comeback

Bridlington Town produced a superb second-half comeback to claim local derby bragging rights with a 3-1 victory over North Ferriby at the HDM Energies Stadium.

There was plenty of early intensity in the derby, with Bridlington looking particularly dangerous from wide areas. Ben Tweed's eighth-minute corner caused problems for visiting goalkeeper Jonathan Dash, who was forced to punch the ball clear from virtually on his goal line.

The Seasiders continued to threaten, and a minute later Casey Stewart came agonisingly close to opening the scoring. After a free-kick was cleared, Salam switched the play towards Stewart on the right, who unleashed a fierce effort that crashed against the crossbar.
Salam continued to cause problems down the left, delivering another teasing cross into the danger area on ten minutes. Dash had to launch himself through the air to punch the delivery away and keep his side level.

North Ferriby gradually grew into the contest and registered their first real opportunity on 12 minutes, as a ball played through down the right narrowly evaded Joe Batty before the resulting effort was dragged wide.

Bridlington continued to create opportunities, with Stewart delivering another dangerous cross on 17 minutes. Salam got to the ball just ahead of Olly Green, who went down appealing for a foul. With nothing given, Salam turned and drove towards goal, but his effort drifted narrowly wide. However, it was the visitors who struck first just a minute later. North Ferriby utilised one of their biggest weapons, the long throw, to cause problems in the Bridlington penalty area. Alex Baird produced an excellent save at the far post, but unfortunately the rebound fell straight into the path of Charlie Dunkerley, who made no mistake in smashing the ball home to give the visitors the advantage.

The game then entered a quieter spell, with both sides battling for control in a physical encounter. Bridlington came close to finding an equaliser just before the break, as Tweed's corner found Allan, whose header landed on the roof of the net.

The Seasiders emerged for the second half with renewed purpose and immediately began putting the visitors under pressure. Strong attacking play down the right-hand side on 48 minutes saw Bridlington threaten, although they were unable to find the final shot. Their pressure eventually told on 53 minutes. Tweed delivered another dangerous corner into the penalty area, where captain Allan rose highest despite being pulled back by his marker. The skipper guided a powerful header into the bottom corner to bring Bridlington level and send the home supporters into celebration.

Bridlington continued to push forward, with the introduction of Berto for Luca Bolino on 56 minutes adding another option from the bench.
Casey Stewart was then replaced by Eddie Kettlewell on 68 minutes as the Seasiders looked to maintain their attacking threat. The decisive moment arrived on 75 minutes. A ball into the area was parried away by Dash, with Charlie Birdsall keeping the attack alive before laying the ball back to Salam. The midfielder struck towards goal, only for his effort to strike the hand of a North Ferriby player. The referee pointed straight to the spot. Salam stepped up and showed nerves of steel, confidently converting the penalty and sending the HDM Energies Stadium into raptures.

The Seasiders had completed the turnaround, but there was still more to come. Destiny Nnenanya made way for Hamza Hamdosh on 81 minutes, and the substitute wasted little time in making his mark. On 84 minutes, Hamdosh got his effort away, with the ball bouncing off Dash before trickling
over the line to make it three. The celebrations continued around the stadium as Bridlington put daylight between themselves and their local rivals.

Liam Tibbett replaced Ben Tweed in the 90th minute as the Seasiders saw out the closing stages to secure a memorable derby victory.
From trailing at the break to scoring three times in the second half, Bridlington showed plenty of character, determination and attacking quality to turn the game around. Goals from Allan, Salam and Hamdosh ensured the points stayed at the HDM Energies
Stadium, giving the Seasiders the perfect Halloween treat and local bragging rights.