Bridlington Town 7 (seven) Lincoln Moorlands Railway 0 (zip)

With the boy safely arriving in Milan for his week long school trip, I could fully concentrate on our next home game. Incidentally, the lad was swapping Queensgate for a trip to the San Siro tomorrow for the AC Milan v Chievo game – lucky sod….or so I thought, well no, I am really jealous.

However, to soften the blow the Brid Town lads put in one helluva performance that, for those who were there today, will not forget in a very long time. Scintillating, sublime, speechless, destructive, awesome, passionate, cracking, energetic, quick, magnificent, superb and “the dog’s bollocks”

It was raining, and it was horrible, sticky/clingy kind of rain. Not suitable for football at all. The ref had obviously decided he was in no mood for hanging around today and kicked off a couple of minutes early. And as i got to Phil and his raffle, Jack Wilkinson was already having a one on one with their keeper. The keeper making a fine save. Most of the crowd were huddled under the shelters of the main stand, the tea bar or the bus shelter. I’d decided to experience the persistent rain and stand over the far side, listening to the “reasonable” commentary from Talksport who were covering Stoke at Tottenham.

From the off, our lads were hungry, perhaps wanting to atone last weeks defeat, but they were untouchable. Jack, who had an outstanding game, (getting back to the sort of player he was a couple of seasons back but in a better team) got the opener after some excellent work from Nathan Hotte and Frank Belt. These two have now got such a great understanding, and work so hard getting up and down the right flank and put in some excellent balls and shots.

The second goal was probably thee best goal I have seen whilst following Brid from any side. Their must have been 12+ passes, mainly one touch, excellent movement that was started by, contributed by and finished by Ash Allanson – how many others were involved I don’t know – but this was scored in driving rain. And well deserved.

The third goal was similar, excellent passing and a cool finish from Craig Burdick, who was a real thorn in their defenders side the whole of the first half. Jack got his second just before the break. Half time and it was only 4-0.

Everyone was buzzing at half time. Stoke were drawing, only just.

Second half is only 3 minutes old and we are 6-0 up. Nathan has a shot deflected off a defender, who is credited for the goal (AFCW might be happy with that – £2 saved!!), but Nathan doesn’t disappoint and bags a beauty, literally seconds later.

After about 60-65 minutes, we aren’t as intense as we were, but you can understand that, as the lads had played their tits off. Perhaps it was the rain disappearing and the sun coming out that exhuasted them ? However, Moorlands were  still no match for us. Palms isn’t going to miss out on the goal fest and adds one on 79 to give us a handsome 7-0 lead.

Someone had put up on the forum a topic for predictions. At 1.15 or so, I had put 7-0 to us with an attendance of 144. final score was 7-0, attendance was …… 145. How close was that . so i go and get some lotteries and win chuff all, so it must have been a flukey guess.

Scarborough lose at Selby 3-2, and there seems to be some serious unrest there at the moment. Armthorpe lose at home to Hall Road 4-3, with James McGarry, Jamie Barmwell and Paul Palmer all netting. Rainworth win again at Arnold Town. Plenty of goals in the Pickering v Long Eaton game, with Long Eaton finishing 6-4 winners. Brodsworth still remain rooted to the foot of the table played 12, lost 12, goal difference -57.

My favourite team (Stoke) beat the team I hate the most (Tottenham) at White Hart Lane today with an 86th minute strike by Glenn Whelan. My other favourite team (Wealdstone) beat Aylesbury to reach the first round proper of the FA Cup, where hopefully they pull out Leeds, Darlington, Grimsby or some other Northern team, so I can go and watch them.

What a great day !!

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 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.