Manager Dave Walton once again had to shuffle his pack for this game with five first team regulars missing through injury. Town started the game kicking up the hill and into the wind, and Bridlington fully intended to utilise the elements by launching long balls deep into the Town half. Huge kicks from the Brid keeper were causing problems for the Town defence, with Jay Custus and Rich Jagger struggling to cope with the aerial bombardment.
After a spell of early pressure Sports Club took the lead after an error from Custus. A long ball was played over the top, and with Custus coming across to cover the threat, he got the ball stuck under his feet, slipped and allowed the Brid striker to capitalise and nick the ball into the back of the net.
Bridlington continued to press and had a second goal ruled out for offside on 25 minutes. This seemed to shock Town into action and saw a marked improvement in their whole performance. An equaliser came on 35 minutes when the skilful Eddie Birch picked up the ball on the right flank, took a touch to control the ball, and from 35 yards out fired a spectacular shot into the top left hand corner, the keeper did not even move!
8 minutes later Jonny Kershaw burst into the box from deep. His determined run found him in the right place at the right time, and he fired in his close range shot after some good work from the Town strike force.
Half time Beverley 2-1 Bridlington
Although leading, Beverley were far from happy with their first half performance, and were determined to improve in every area in the second half. True to their word Beverley started the second half in a much more focused manner, defending much better and passing the ball with a crisp, high tempo. The ball was being moved all around the pitch, and the Bridlington team was beginning to tire after putting in a lot of hard work in the first half.
It was only a matter of time before the third goal came, and on 65 minutes the impressive Michael O`Connell made his mark. O`Connell finished off a fine move which involved numerous passes from defence to midfield, some great skill from Eddie Birch who back healed from the right flank to put O`Connell through and he fired past the keeper with his right foot.
Town were now in total control, and Sports Club barely managed a shot on goal. The final nail in the coffin came when Winston Winn, who was undoubtedly Town’s man of the match, fired a pile driver into the top right-hand corner, after being put in on goal in a central position.
The second half performance was vintage Town, and with this 4 – 1 result they move up to fourth in the league.
Beverley Town aim to make it five wins in a row when they face Hessle Rangers at Norwood Recreation Ground.
Pictures by Paul Linton – Click on the thumbnail picture below to enlarge the image to full size
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Pictures by Paul Linton – Click on the thumbnail picture below to enlarge the image to full size
