After driving through the mist along the never ending A614 we arrived in Bridlington. Even on such a day ‘Brid’ has its charm and a sausage roll and coffee in the cafe on the third floor of Boyes can’t be beaten. The view down the beach is just magnificent, you can keep the “Shard
I walked from the town to the Football ground, a 12 minute stroll through suburbia of all shapes and sizes. You hear the tinny tannoy before the stadium appears behind the local Rugby Club which had a game playing on one of its many pitches.
There was a car park at the front and side and as you walked through the turnstile a young boy asked if you wanted your hand stamped for re-entry, did he know something that I didn’t.
The miserable day reflected on the stadium and it looked dull in the poor light. The floodlights came on at half time but they will be on all the while next week after the clocks went back an hour on Saturday. However the clubhouse was large, warm and friendly with the early Premiership kick off on the two screens. There was a drinks bar on one side and a snack bar in one corner, more of that later.
I was not surprised that Bridlington’s programme has been in the top two on 9 out of ten years in whichever League they were in. It is packed full of interest, photos and abundant statistics. The club are progressive in proffering the programme for £2 and a team sheet, for 20p, which has been printed in line with the teams handed in to the matchday officials. People who don’t want the programme can just buy it for a small cost increasing the income stream.
The pitch was of grass, lush and very flat surrounded by a long seated stand down one side, some covered terracing on the side of one end and between the two dugouts. One end of the ground is taken up by the club houses of the football and rugby clubs with hard attending in front.
The sky was a solid light grey with a dampness in the air that made the temperature of 11 degrees seem colder which may also have been effected by a breeze from the sea that was just shy of 1 mile away.
Bridlington were formed in 1920 out of another defunct local team. They played local football but gained a step up to the Northern Counties East league in 1982 with its formation. The 1990’s were a tumultuous time going to Wembley twice in the FA Vase and being winners once but they also were also disbanded and the team today has grown out of those ashes. Most of the time since has been in the Northern Counties East League but have played in the Northern Premier League East in recent seasons.
Carlton are based in North East Nottingham and I commented on their history two seasons ago when I visited them.
Bridlington Town v Carlton Town
Saturday 28th October 15.00 pm kick off. Queensgate Bridlington YO16 7LN
Northern Premier League East Division; Seasiders v Millers; 13th v 6th
Bridlington in all red strip: Carlton, White Shirts and Black Shorts.
A minutes silence was held to remember the great Sir Bobby Charlton.
The match soon settled down, with the home side being the most positive, without creating any chances by both sides. Bridlington’s attack came on 30 minutes which came to nothing and by then the more physical Carlton had already racked up 4 bookings. Carlton were awarded a soft penalty which struck the post and shortly after the Seasiders hit the post on 41 minutes which rebounded out.
Against the run of play it was Carlton who took the lead a minute later when Lamin Sisawo-Danso headed in, when unmarked, from a freekick out on the left. This meant Carlton went in at half time with a one goal lead which was against the run of play.
HT; Bridlington 0 Carlton 1
Carlton seemed stronger in the second half buoyed by their halftime lead and looked certain to go further ahead after 20 minutes which they would have done but for a point blank save by James Hitchcock. A few minutes later it was Felix Annan in the away goal who showed his skill in making a full length diving save to his left.
Bridlington tried hard to gain momentum but were denied by a dogged Carlton defence and some fresh legged substitutes who pressed hard on the home team. Carlton saw out the rest of the game to go third in the league with a game in hand on some of their rivals, looking good for a strong push for promotion.
Bridlington could have drawn the game if they had more cutting edge to their forwards. The 228 was 10 down on their average attendance which was not surprising on such a dull day.
The chips were welcomed, but although there was a great quantity for only £1.50 and were tasty they were also greasy and a bit soggy. Unfortunately only a score of 59.
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