Bridlington Town 2-1 North Ferriby United
Brett Agnew fires Bridlington Town ahead against North Ferriby with a fantastic long range strike
It is not often that a Toolstation NCEL side celebrates a victory over a full-strength National League Premier outfit, even in pre-season.
Four leagues may separate them, but Andy Norfolk’s late header ensured that Bridlington defied their lower status and grabbed the headlines. Norfolk’s header broke the parity which had been in place since Curtis Bateson cancelled out Brid striker Brett Agnew’s first half opener.
Bridlington, a side that prides itself on organisation and hard work, successfully nullified their higher-league opponents with a characteristically disciplined display. Brid more than deserved their victory.
It can only be described as a deeply concerning result and performance for new North Ferriby manager Steve Housham, who only has two more weeks to prepare his side for the start of their first season in the top flight of Non League football. On this evidence, Ferriby are in for a long ten months.
The home side wanted it more and it showed from the first whistle. Powerful Bridlington forward Brett Agnew bullied Ferriby’s defenders and his influence on the game went far beyond his fantastic goal – a rocket from distance in the 14th minute.
The only Ferriby player to come of their defeat with credit was inventive midfielder Bateson. Ferriby responded immediately to Agnew’s goal as the youngster netted with a low drive that needed a bit of help off the left-hand post.
Bridlington’s defence was exposed only one more time and that was because of the tricky Bateson, who carved out another chance for himself after weaving past several Brid defenders. Goalkeeper James Hitchcock raced out and he did enough to narrow the angle and force Bateson to put the ball wide of the far post.
Andy Norfolk’s header earned Bridlington a deserved victory
North Ferriby midfielder Curtis Bateson missed this great chance at 1-1
North Ferriby boss Steve Housham (far right) cut a frustrated figure and he remained seated for most of the game
Action from Bridlington Town 2-1 North Ferriby
Action from Bridlington Town 2-1 North Ferriby
Action from Bridlington Town 2-1 North Ferriby
Action from Bridlington Town 2-1 North Ferriby
Curtis Bateson on the attack for North Ferriby
Brett Agnew had a major say in Bridlington’s win
Brett Agnew battles with a Ferriby defender
Few chances were created for a large part of the second half. Bridlington, rarely threatened in defence, began to enjoy a period dominance as the half wore on. Their control on proceedings reached its peak with Norfolk’s looping header.
Living up to their key attributes and in a bid to protect their precious lead, Bridlington became very compact. Ferriby probed with hopeful balls. The Seasiders easily dealt with those and arguably should have wrapped it up when Agnew broke through.
Ferriby, who had ran out of ideas, looked like a beaten team who wanted putting out of their misery with the final whistle. That allowed Bridlington to run down the clock with ease..
Pre-season results may count for nothing, but few can begrudge Bridlington celebrating their victory like a league win.
Bridlington Town: Hitchcock, Waudby, Thompson, Nicholls, Bedford, Jenkinson (captain), Kirk, Knaggs, Agnew, Sutton, Adams. Subs: Wray, Taylor, Harman, Norfolk, J Smalley, B Smalley.
North Ferriby United: Ellison, Topliss, Hare, Oliver, Gray, Cooke, Clarke (captain), Bateson, Emerton, Kendall, Russell. Subs: Douglas, Fallowfield, Middleton, Mensa, Forrester, Bruce.