Toolstation NCEL Premier Division
Bridlington Town manager Gary Allanson
Gary Allanson remains frustrated with his club’s congested fixture list as Bridlington Town prepare for their second game in three days.
Two weeks ago, Allanson revealed his disappointment at Brid being made to play Cleethorpes a few days before the Harrogate Town Emirates FA Cup clash.
Now Bridlington head to Harrogate Railway tonight, little more than 48 hours after the 5-2 victory over Daisy Hill in the FA Vase. Allanson is also annoyed because Brid have only had one home league game.
“We’re the team that has played the least league games and we have another midweek away game,” Allanson told Non League Yorkshire.
“With the injuries we are picking up, it is really taking its toll. All we can do is turn out the best eleven that we have available and see where we go.
“We just have a one day break. The lads are working as well so they are working Monday and then having to meet at 5pm on Tuesday so they are racing from work.
“It is not the best preparation. We’re not happy because of the amount of games that we have had away from home. I think it has been unfair to us.
“You get punished for your success (in the FA Cup and Vase). Staveley have done a fantastic thing by postponing their league game with Mansfield to give them a better opportunity to prepare for their FA Cup game.
“As a league and as clubs I think we have to do that more often.”
Allanson is proud of his players though after the epic FA Cup second qualifying round tie with National League North giants Harrogate Town.
Brid were minutes from beating them at Queensgate before the replay which saw them beaten by an 89th minute goal.
“The players have done magnificently well and we can’t praise them enough,” he said.
“Yes Harrogate had a lot of possession, but the way the players played for the club by playing their hearts out and putting their bodies on the line was fantastic.
“It was devastating on Saturday when we were four minutes away from winning. To go to their place and come back from 2-0 down and be a minute away from taking them to extra-time was heartbreaking.
“We have to move on and hopefully we will learn from it.”
Left-back Will Wauby begins his three-match ban for his red card in the original game against Harrogate – a decision that still rankles with Allanson.
“It was an unfortunate sending-off and there was definitely no intent in what he did,” he said.
“The ball came out towards the touchline and he’s gone to protect himself.
“The Harrogate player was all over him and he’s just held his hands up and caught him. He’s honest to say he did, but he didn’t swing his elbow which was insinuated by the linesman.
“He happened near the home dugouts and all their dugout came to our dugout and nothing was said against them or said to them.
“That’s the inconsistency of officials. It is us who get punished with a three-game suspension when there is a lot more going on in the game.
“I think we had six booked and one sent off and it looks like we tried to kick Harrogate off the pitch. That’s simply not the case.
“They had one booked and we’ll leave it at that.”