Steels 3-0 Bridlington Town

19/11/2022Last Updated: 21/11/2022

333 2 minutes read

Life was a beach for Stocksbridge Park Steels as they ran out 3-0 winners over Bridlington Town.

Bridlington started as the better side. With them facing a young goalkeeper in Henry Hampshaw, making his home debut in this game, their tactic was to put him under as much pressure as possible. This didn’t work though because the referee decided that to protect the goalkeeper and give fouls if the attackers were being too physical with him. They still made chances despite this with Ryan Caulfield hitting a shot just wide.

Stocksbridge though fought back and could have been ahead if not for the referee. Not long after Elliot Murray headed one wide, Lewis Macaskill tore down the left and played a ball in for Ify Ofoegbu. The forward got it into the back of the net but the referee adjudged him to have handled the ball, something few of the Stocksbridge players and fans seemed to disagree with.

At the other end, Stocksbridge were lucky to have not gone behind. From a corner, James Williamson rose highest but his header was blocked off the line. He reacted quickest too to poke the ball goalwards, but this one was also cleared off the line, though with a bit less drama due to the lack of pace on the shot.

In the end, the game was fairly even in the first half and both defences remained very strong going into the end of the first half.

The second half started perfectly for the Steels. Ross Goodwin’s hard work kept Bridlington stuck in the left back position, and Tomas Poole was able to rob the ball there. With James Hitchcock well off his line, Poole tried to chip the goalkeeper. With the aid of a heavy deflection, the ball floated over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

Bridlington did rally as they looked to get right back into the game. They should have been level moments later but Jack Bulless’ free header was glanced wide. Bridlington continued to press forward but the Stocksbridge defence held firm and limited their shots on goal.

With the defence remaining strong, Stocksbridge’s attack were able to take advantage and double the Steels lead. The initial corner was poor and went over everyone, but the ball was kept in and played back to Lewis Macaskill. He took a touch before curling the ball past everyone and into the bottom corner.

Macaskill continued to be a terror and easily could have a second when he was able to round Hitchcock. However his goalwards finish would end up being blocked off by Benn Lewis who saved the day for Bridlington. Things would soon get worse for the Seasiders though. Bulless had been booked for dissent but minutes later, he barged into Hampshaw during a set piece. This was one foul on the goalkeeper too much and this allowed the referee to give the defender his marching orders.

Stocksbridge would take advantage of the extra man. Beautiful football on the right hand side with brilliant tika taka style football would be finished by Charlie Oglesby, making an uncharacteristic foray into forward areas, backheeling the ball into the path of Poole, who finished it well to confirm the three points wouldn’t be heading back to the seaside.

MOTM: Lewis Macaskill