Champions Beverley Town returned to Humber Premier League action after last week’s National cup victory Town welcomed back Rob Northen after injury and 16 year old Jamie Forrester after illness.
With the absence of Adam Nicholson Oliver Thane continued in deputise goal. Thane inclusion in the side meant Town were fielding two 16 year olds in the team.
Town knew that despite their lowly league position Bridlington would still be a challenging game as previous fixtures between the both sides have resulted in extremely competitive matches.
It was Town who started brightest, Northen in particular being a constant threat. The combination down the right between Mike Dixon, Forester and Northen was producing some fine play.
Northen could have had a hat-trick in the first ten minutes, but a header and two right footed efforts were tame by his standards.
It was only a matter of time before Beverley took the lead and after good work by Forrester, the balled bounced kindly to Andrew Stott who volleyed in well from the edge of the box for his 8th goal of the season.
Town were rampant now and in particular Northen, who despite missing early chances got himself in the penalty area, dragging the ball passed the defender with his right foot, before driving the ball into the corner with his right.
Beverley were now in total control and dominated possession very well with captain Jonny Ricardo, and Dane Mortimer initiating a number of attacks from the back.
It became three when a lovely reverse ball from Northen found the galloping Richard Gibson who used his body and size advantage well to hold off the Bridlington defender sliding in his third goal of the season.
Beverley Town started the second half hoping to press home their advantage, and increase their goal difference. Within five minutes of the restart Town made it four when Northen expertly left his marker for dead to latch onto a Foresters corner and head home.
Now with the luxury of making two substitutions, bringing off Forrester and Ben Thomson, to be replaced by Mike O’Connell and Jamie Waltham.
Although with the changes and a slight change tactically, the game began to turn into somewhat of training session, with Beverley seemingly being able to keep possession for the sake of it.
Sometimes a more attacking intended pass or dribble, became more of a square ball, or backwards ball. This was understandable though in the circumstances, with the home team struggling to get out of their own half.
Bridlington kept going in difficult conditions, and consistently through their bodies in front of the ball to make defensive blocks but they were clearly being outclassed by Beverley.
Bridlington did get on the score sheet thanks to substitute Jake Day who stabbed home from close range after a rare attack by the home side.
The goal though only roused Beverley as they literally went down the other end to increase their lead, when O’Connell slipped a pass into Northen who darted in to the area to complete his hat-trick, this completed and outstanding afternoon for the striker who has not kicked a ball since the end of August.
Beverley next week travel to Bishop Burton to take on Westella & Willerby in the East Riding Senior Cup November 9th East Riding Senior Cup fixture at Bishop Burton College 2pm kick off
Final Score: Bridlington Sports Club 1 Beverley Town 5
