Brid Extend Unbeaten Home Run

Sunday, 3 September 2023 07:59

By Ben Edwards

The Seasiders bounced back superbly from their 1-0 loss against Winterton, picking up their second consecutive home win and clean sheet with a 2-0 victory over Ashington AFC.

The hosts had the ball in the back of the net after 10 minutes. Cam Cunningham played an excellent ball through to Lewis Dennison. The striker was offside but left the ball for Glen Sani, who appeared to have beaten the offside trap. He rounded Karl Dryden in goal and slotted into the empty net, but the linesman had his flag up.

Six minutes later Dennison beat his man and ignored the option of Ali Aydemir on the right, firing straight at Dryden.

James Hitchcock was then called into action for the first time since returning to the side following a two-game absence, parrying Damen Mullen’s effort from 20 yards out for a corner.

Just after the half-hour mark, Karl Ross received the ball from a cut back, but fired over from inside the penalty area under pressure from two Bridlington Town defenders. Jack Bulless was then forced off injured, and Benn Lewis came on in his place.

Oliver Thompson drove into the space in front of him, but dragged his effort wide of the left post from 20 yards.

Aydemir knocked the ball past Jordan Summerly before being tripped by the left back on the edge of the penalty area. Cunningham took the free kick from the right, curling it over the wall but off target.

After a goalless first half Bridlington Town really came out of the blocks quickly in the second half, and got their reward with the opening goal. Matty Dixon sprinted 20-yards to show for a short corner, whipping it to the back post where Lewis headed home at the back post.

The lead was doubled just after the hour mark. Sani beat the offside trap and found himself one-on-one, showing great composure to superbly finish into the top left corner.

Ross’ cross from the right found Thompson, who got to the ball ahead of his man but fired straight at Hitchcock.

Sani received a harsh booking for a foul on the edge of the Brid penalty area on the right flank. The free kick found Wilson Kneeshaw, whose effort was blocked for a corner.

From the set-piece, Hitchcock along with multiple defenders put their bodies on the line, blocking multiple efforts to keep the clean sheet intact.

Jake Martindale spread the play well to Sani, who drove infield from the left but fired narrowly over the crossbar.

At the other end, the ball bobbled its way to Cameron Gascoigne, but his half volley went wide of Hitchcock’s left post.

Matty Dixon’s had a lot of space 25 yards from goal, though his effort was mis-hit and went a long way off target.

Star man: Glen Sani

Entertainment rating: 3 stars