Brid Town 0 Thackley 0

Blimey, it feels like ages since I last watched Brid.

Recently they played one of the league favourites, Retford away, and were unlucky not to come away with all 3 points, with the game finishing 2 all. A good measure of where we are, given the recent feeling around the place.

Today pits us against the team that finished 2nd last year (we were 3rd), and they have started reasonably well this campaign.

They work well together, and in the style of Tony Pulis, “they work ‘aarrdd”. Best team other than us to grace Queensgate this term. They will probably be top 4 or 5 again this season, and will make the others title contenders work bloody hard for their points.

We played well in the first half, just couldn’t convert the chances. Second half we struggled, thackley were more commanding in the middle. Surprisingly, during the 2nd half, both teams subbed two of the better players in the game, Ash for us and their no2. However, It was as good 0-0 as you are likely to see.

For me, Ash, Wilbur, Brunts and Palms had good games, Bennett and Wright had good 1st halves, some of the other lads just didn’t quite have their touch with them. Perhaps I’m doing their lads a bit of a disservice.

Sad news that Alex Rhodes and Tom Lee have left the club, both were great assets and nice guys – good luck chaps.

Pickering in the Presidents cup on Tuesday.

Bridlington Town 4 Hall Road Rangers 1

Another away game, and again against our old adverseries. I love the ground, the club house the atmosphere especially when 100+ of the 147 are Brid fans. How do they know there were 147 in the ground ? When the guy on the turnstile didnt dish out any entrance tickets and didn’t or couldn’t distinguish between the number of oldies, kids and Brid faithful coming in.

Some of our old players are still there, though no Jamie Barmwell, but they had James McGarry within their ranks. It wasn’t cold cold, but chilly enough. And the atmosphere got even icier when McGarry bundles a ball home on 5 mimutes, this after we missed a couple of decent early chances. The game gets a little scrappy after this, but we dominate posession, but the pitch doesn’t help matters. We restore parity on 15 minutes when an unlikely hero smacks the ball into the roof of the net when the ball pings around the penalty area, at first I thought it was Frank that had blasted it, but it turned out to be Carl “Gibbo” “Fleshman” Giblin. And i am pleased for Carl, because he has been such a great player for Town and nobody deserves a goal more than him.

Mssrs Thacker and Palmer receive a very warm welcome from some of the away fans, in fairness to Martin, he takes some of it with a pinch of salt and a smile. The half finishes 1-1, in reality, we should have been 3 or 4-1 up.

The second half starts well and its not long before Danny Buttle is brought into the mix and nearly caps his start with a cross come shot come “oooh just inches wide” effort. Moments later he crosses in and Alex Rhodes looks “oh so surprised” when his effort actually goes in.

Somewhere around the second half, and Ash Allanson is fouled in the box by James McGarry and another defender and we gets another penalty. Frank steps up and belts it one, over the bar !! Flip he missed one. I think the pitch played a part, as I saw the ball bobble just as Frank was about to take the kick.

11 minutes later, I think it is Wayne Wallace that drives a ball at goal from outside the box and he hits it straight at Craig Burdicks face, Craig contorts his body, and probably his face too, to steer the ball into the goal.

Moments of the game left, Wallace hits another shot from outside the box and this time Tom Fleming steers the ball into the goal. We thoroughly deserved the win, we were by far and away the best team, and Tom Fleming was by far and away my Man of the Match, though special mention to Ash Allanson who had a good game and all the other lads, we also had the best fans, the best songs, the smartest fan (Jordan), the best put downs, the best goals blah blah blah. Stoke didn’t lose either.

A quick funny from Sundays FA Cup 3rd round draw, you know, thee most important draw of the year. I was painting my little ‘uns room when the draw was being made,3rd or 4th tie and Stoke come out as the home team (Number 36 – Stoke City). I’m shouting “Number 61….Number 61″ the lads going who’s that then….(Number 61) yeeeessss I scream, “its York City”  (YORK CITY) says the man on the telly, well Jim Rosenthal does. My lads going, “how the hell did you know it was 61 ? and how the hell did you know it was York City ? Is this recorded ?” ha, I was quite pleased with myself for that shout, which was probably a 57-1 chance or so, if only i’d had a fiver on it.

Bridlington Town 5 Bottesford Town 0 (h)

Tonight we kicked off our NCEL Presidents Cup run against Bottesford, who are currently mid-table in the NCEL 1st division. We had a few first teamers out, well actually they were eating chips and drinking beer in the bar (but they were there to cheer on their team mates!!) and Bottesford by all accounts were playing a fairly youthful side.

Conditions were good, yet again the pitch is in excellent nick, but the mid week games are now starting off in full moonlit night, today was officially the last day of summer – someone should tell mother nature, that summer finished sometime in early June, and she owes me 3 months of bloody hot weather.

Didn’t think many would come, 108 in the end, not surprising really, when none of us know who the NCEL president is and which one of his cups we were playing for ?

We have vast swathes of possession in the game, and create enough chances to make it at least 12-0, but it takes us until 43rd minute to get off the mark and we get another about 40 seconds later. I only know this because someone told me, as I had gone to the bar for a drink and to see the last 5 mins of the 1st half of Leeds Liverpool. Bloody typical.

2nd half and I felt we lost our shape a little early doors, but our stamina and skill level shone through in the end, and we scored three very good goals in the last 15 minutes. to be fair to Bottesford they never gave up and with some better finishing themselves in the first half, could have scored two or three good goals of their own.

A good run out for the lads, better than a training session, however, Frank Belt, Nathan Hotte were subbed and both looked to be hobbling a bit – lets hope they are ok for the impending goalfest on Saturday against poor old Brodsworth who have played 7 lost 7 socred 2 and conceded 42. So 0-0 it is then … lol.

If i was playing NCEL championship manager 2010 on the Xbox for this Saturdays game, I would play the following formation(for this game only):

Wilberforce

Gibbo, Mountford, Dexter

Belt, Rhodes, Hotte, Allanson, Buttle

Palmer, Burdick, Wilkinson

For me, I can’t see them scoring many, if any against our normal 4-4-2. Lets go all out attack and aim for at least 12-15 goals, if they get one or two, so what? It’s not going to hurt us too much. (and as I have now built this thing up so much, I realise some changes need to be made as Burdick probably can’t play due to his suspension for his recent red card.) but you get my drift….if so, move Rhodes to front line, and bring in Dave Ricardo or Tom Lee into the middle.

Bridlington Town 1 Hull City XI 4

Blimey it only feels like 5 minutes since I was writing up Saturdays game. I was going to go to a game last night – Nantwich Town v Port Vale, but being delayed in the office and then by the two bosses in my life, meant I wouldn’t get to Nantwich’s super stadium, and at £8 entrance money (for the visit of Port Vale for gods sake, eight pound, e.i.g.h.t. pound) I decided not to go and so i spent the money on a nice bottle of wine and some nosh instead.

A training course in the midlands meant it would be touch and go if I was going to be home on time, but thankfully, our course tutor wanted to finish earlier than me, so i was home in plenty of time – 7.00.  The arrival of the Tigers to Queensgate is always an exciting event and tonight was no different, especially as BBC Radio Humberside were reporting / broadcasting from the ground. There were people arriving at the ground from all directions, the car park was nearly full, with a very nice Ferrari adorning the chairmans spot – tagged with the number plate BD55 TGR, now in this font that doesn’t look spectacular, but with a bit of jiggery pokery it looked like BOSS TGR.

Both turnstiles were buzzing and Nick Barmby was standing outside having a natter with a couple of others. Inside, after getting my latest losing raffle ticket, I nearly bumped into Paul Duffen (HCFC Chairman), Phil Brown (HCFC manager) and Sir Pete Smurthwaite. The two teams were warming up, and it was apparent that the Hull team was made up of first year pro’s and youth / reserve players.

The game was evenly matched early on with Hull probably shading possession and territory. The Twitter updates didn’t take too long to get going as one of the Hull midfielders waltzed throught the defence and round the keeper to slot in. We battled well, and went into the break 1 down. Second half and we were 3 down within 5 minutes of the restart, bugger. We had made some changes and they must have had a roasting from the gaffers hence the slow start. Jack Wilkinson and Alex Rhodes made a different sort of impact with their pace and experience when they came on, and for the second game running, Jack set up Alex with a sublime pass off of the woodwork. They sealed all hope of a comeback when they got a fourth when our keeper came out ala Mick Clarke and missed player and ball a long way outside the area (I liked Clarkey as a goalie and a nice bloke too).

A bumper crowd of 494 was there tonight, brilliant for everyone, and a big thanks to everyone at Hull FC who by being here tonight will help our clubs finances immensley. Lets hope that some of the local people that came along tonight will turn up for the seasons opener against Pickering on Saturday.

Bridlington Town 4 Sculcoates Amateurs 0

Can someone please email dear old mother nature and tell that summer consists of sunshine, warmth and scantily clad women – not the drizzly, miserable wintry fayre we had today.

A very measly crowd of about 90 or so attended this one, where we playing our annual game against Scullies, this time for the Memorial Cup (kindly sponsored by Graham Hebden and family) -we are the current holders.

Some changes for Town after last weeks performance, probably to give some players a good run out before next weeks games (v Hull on Wednesday and Pickering in the league next Sat), especially as some 1st teamers have suspensions pending.

Scullies played well throughout and at times didn’t look to out of place alongside us, one or two of their players stood out – their young goalie in the second half was very good. We did have some opportunities to score a quite a few more, but were lacking that killer instinct in front of goal today – Palms could easily have had 4 or 5.

What was pleasing other than the result, was the fact my lad and me were able to update the Twitter part of the blog with the goals as they went in, and equally as pleasing was Gail’s chilli – not as hot as recent offerings, but pleasant all the same.

Good effort by the team today and its looking good for the weeks, months and season ahead. Roll on a nice big bumper crowd for Wednesday.

Bridlington Town 4 Grantham Town 2

Wasn’t sure if  I would make any pre-seasons, but fate threw its hand and allowed me the opportunity of getting along to this one. This was our fourth pre-season game, my first. To be honest, I didn’t have the same tingle or excitement going into this game as I’d had in previous seasons. Maybe it’s been the poxy summer, maybe it only feels like a couple of weeks since we were  at the KC playing North Ferriby.

Most of our squad were the same as last term, with a couple of exceptions (chib being one of them, Tom Nicholson appears to be another), but we have some new players, who appear to have slotted in quite well. Our management duo has changed a little, Tim Hotte stepping down, Gary in full control with Phil Harrison as his deputy.

Our visitors ply their trade in the Unibond South (where we were 2 seasons ago) so were of a good standard and would give us a real test.  What looked to be a miserable afternoon, that looked to promise plenty of rain, turned into a warm sunny one. The pitch looked excellent, and its amazing what a lick of paint can do to the huts and cabins in the cafe quarter.

They kicked off in their Plymouth Argyle kit, we were still wearing last years (which was the kit from the year previous to that !). boom it didn’t take Palms long before he notched not only his first of the day (9mins) but to get his first hat trick of the season (23 minutes), it was cruise control. They notched one in before the break, however I missed it, the sheer excitement of an opposition attack was completely missed by the 111 spectators. Half time and the tradition of missing out on the raffle continues, as it had for PaulNFFC (who we reckon between us haven’t won our raffle for a combined 7 years !!).

Grantham have decided to up the ante for  the second half, either that or they had a bollocking at half time, and wholesale changes for both teams. The visitors play well, but for some reason only had 10 men on the pitch for some of the second half  – someone complementing the ref on his parentage no doubt. They did score a second after some pressure, but we finished the afternoon as we started, Jack Wilkinson, one of two local lads in the team, made a break, slapped a nice shot goalbound but hit the foot of the post, Alex Rhodes was following up on the other side of the penalty area and finished with a great strike into the far corner. Brilliant !

All in all, everyone should be satisfied with their efforts and everyone in the crowd were well entertained to a good game.  Good to see a load of familiar faces and to have a chat. Gails chilli was excellent. Sculcoates at home next Sat, with a game against a strong Hull XI the Wednesday after.

Granthams website is here http://www.granthamtownfc.com/ and this is their report of the game :

Early burst sinks Gingerbreads

Bridlington Town 4-2 Grantham Town.

Team: Steve Norris, Ricky Hanson, Danny Brooks, Ryan Clarke, Adam Jones (Sam Saunders), Danny Steadman (Michael Stahlberger), Danny Hargreaves, Robert Hughes, Dan Reidy (Ben Saunders), Gio Carchedi (Lee Potts), Sam Kirton (Dan French).

Three goals in the opening twenty minutes rocked Grantham as Bridlington opened up a lead the Gingerbreads just could not claw back. Although a better second half performance saw Grantham go close to levelling the game, a late fourth capped things off for the home side.

Woeful defending contributed to all three of the home sides opening salvo. After 9 minutes, Danny Brooks failed to deal with a high ball and it fell to Palmer. He made no mistake, shooting past Steve Norris.

Sam Kirton had a shot turned round the post by Wilberforce before a floated free kick found the Grantham defence wanting again on 18 minutes. Brooks and Adam Jones stood watching as Palmer ran between them to steer home his second of the game.

He got his hat trick four minutes later. Brooks lost the ball in midfield and Palmer again lost his markers to score.

Seven minutes before half time, Jones got Grantham back in the game, but it took half time substitutions for the Gingerbreads to really wake up. Dan French and Ben Saunders gave Grantham better options in the second half. Danny Steadman pulled the strings in the centre of the park as the Gingerbreads warmed to their task.

Before Grantham truly got going, they were grateful to Norris as he twice kept out Wilkinson. Gio Carchedi and Robert Hughes both has efforts saved by Bramley as Grantham had more of the play.

Dan French delivered a cross that was inched too long for Hughes before Ben Saunders scored Grantham’s second thirteen minutes from the end. Saunders started the move with a deft header for French. He then finished calmly after both his effort and Lee Potts were blocked.

Five minutes from time, Bridlington put the result beyond doubt. A quick break left Grantham floundering. Harrisons shot hit the post, but fell to Rhodes. He hit a rising drive past Norris.

“We played like 11 individuals at times today.” Said Grantham joint manager Wayne Hallcro. “The same things happened again as happened at Radcliffe. We seemed to nice defensively. We had been asked by the players to keep quiet from the bench today so they could do the talking. I think everybody saw the result.”

Richard Cresswell scored for Stoke in their 2-1 defeat at Preston. In comparison to Brid, Stoke have lost 4 and drawn 1 in their pre-season.

Brid 4 Shirebrook 0 (a) & Brid 4 Lincoln Moorland 0 (h)

I have had time to digest yesterdays great offering. I wish I could have got to Shirebrook, unfortunately, it just wasn’t going to happen, I’d had to take my good lady (well my wife if truth be known) and my little ‘un to the food market in Hull. During our late lunch, I sent a text to PaulNFFC asking for an update on the score – he sent one back saying we were 2-0 down and down to 9 men. Bollocks ! I sent him one back saying I’m glad I didn’t go, then he called me to say he was only joking and that we were 2-0 up, they were down to 10, but we weren’t playing too well. And then he kindly told me that Palms had got 2 more and it finished 4 zip.

I was quite happy listening and watching the old ding dong going on at the Brittania, where Stoke were having a right old ding dong with Aston Villa, eventually big Mamady Sidibe getting an injury time winner – I was so pleased for him, coz he’s such a top bloke. Apparently the Villa fans were moaning about the size of the Stoke team,”it’s like playing a basketball team ffs, and you had even bigger players on the bench (such as Mama – 6’7″) – so the London 2012 GB basketball team should be managed by Mr Pulis……

Bank Holiday Monday brought Lincoln Moorland to the theatre of wet dreams, and for a while, were a tough nut to crack, mind you, our expectations are such that after 10 minutes, some sections of the Town faithful were giving Craig Palmer a hard time coz he hadn’t scored yet – and he took it with the amusement it was dished out in. Moorland were like the others that we’ve seen so far this year; they struggled to make an impact, resorted to some fairly bad tackling, but lost out to a good footballing side. As is the problem I’ve come across when videoing the game, we create so many opportunities, I run out of battery (should be rectified for next time) – I missed three good goals, but I also missed a couple of sitters – Liam Cattermole’s would be worthy of some decent bribe if I had caught it.

Songs chosen : McFadden & Whitehead’s Aint no Stopping us now (cooommmeeee ooonnnn), Chumbawumba’s tubthumping (no matter what they do to the lads, they keep getting back up), Warren’s cow cry and The Strawbs – Part of the union, (because I feel we have a great “union” within the team).

Any requests for tracks will be noted and I will try and accomodate.

Raffle : 0/5

Games seen : 10

Goals seen : 25 home 20 away 1 other

Out of /10 : 8 another cracking effort from all the guys, gotta worry about the tackling from the opposition and the very weak ref. And a special mention to Warren, who was very downbeat when he got told off. I told him not to get pissed off by it, he had managed to wind the opposition up, so much so that they moaned about him, plus he had great banter with the bus shelter – keep it up Warren !!