Report

The Stan had their 2^nd trip to the seaside in 4 days but this time it involved an almost 250-mile round trip to Bridlington. Unfortunately, the outing was spoiled not by sand in the Stan Army’s sandwiches but by one early goal & good goal keeping by Bridlington’s Sebastian Malkowski who is on loan from Worksop Town & is a former Polish international keeper. There were 2 changes from Tuesday’s senior cup win at Blyth Town with Ellison & Anderson replacing Slaughter & Stephenson. Andy Burn made his 100^th start for the club.

From kick off the Stan attacked but it was Bridlington who took a shock early lead after only 4 minutes when they broke forward & Dyer shot past 2 defenders & Brass sending the ball into the Stan net. 2 minutes later & it was Bridlington who attacked again but Brass caught the ball although soon after they also shot well over the bar. In 9 minutes a Stan attack was blocked with a home counter attack coming to nothing. The Stan were trying to attack & in 14 minutes a cross from Lamb was headed out for a corner before Thompson could get to it. From the corner the ball was punched clear. Thompson then got into the box with the ball, but the keeper caught his effort. It was mainly Stan pressure now & in 18 minutes Lamb forced a corner from which the ball was caught by the keeper. Bridlington then had 2 attacks cleared. In 25 minutes, a home player advanced on his own & forced a great save from Brass. 2 minutes later & Bridlington had another attack cleared. At the other end, Anderson shot wide from close range. There was a quieter 10 minutes although Bridlington had 3 corners cleared. In 41 minutes, Capewell got up to head a ball from a Stan corner but Malkowski caught it. At half time there was only the unfortunate early Bridlington goal separating the 2 teams after a relatively even 1^st half.

The Stan started the 2^nd half positively with a free kick & another attack both being cleared. In 52 minutes, a Lamb free kick into the box was caught by Malkowski under pressure. Bridlington then had an attack cleared twice. Anderson & Malkowski then both went for a ball but the keeper just got to it 1^st. It was mainly Stan attacks now with a Burn shot easily caught in 56 minutes. 2 minutes later & Bridlington shot wide. The Stan then attacked again twice & on the 2^nd occasion both Anderson & Lamb were fouled in the box, but nothing was given. In 62 minutes, a Stan corner was cleared for a 2^nd one from which the ball was partially cleared before Lamb shot wide. The Stan pressure continued & it wasn’t until 68 minutes when the home side attacked again & headed over the bar. Sub Sayer then shot over the Bridlington bar & soon after he also headed wide. Immediately after in the 71 minute, Sayer sent the ball into the box for Lamb to head into the home net but his effort was offside. In 75 minutes, after Shepherd had initially cleared, Bridlington shot just wide. Both teams were still trying to attack & in 80 minutes a ball from the left by sub Hornsby bobbled but, with Malkowski unable to get to it, it unfortunately went just wide. The next Stan attack saw Anderson shoot wide. 2 minutes later & Bridlington had 2 attacks cleared. In 88 minutes, Malkowski caught another Stan effort. The last few minutes of the match saw continued Stan pressure, but it came to nothing & the match ended with Malkowski catching another Stan effort from a free kick.

So, despite trying, the Stan could not cancel out Bridlington’s 4^th minute goal & their efforts were not helped by the absence of Slaughter & Stephenson. A big positive was the sizeable section of the Stan Army who were present at this welcoming ground with a number of fans staying for the weekend. They will all be back in High Heaton for Saturday though to see their beloved Heaton Stannington take on Grimsby Borough.

Kevin Mochrie

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