Bridlington Town face tough trip to in-form Stocksbridge Park Steels

Jake Martindale was the Brid Town cup super-sub in the win against Beverley Town

It comes after Bridlington Town played their opening East Riding Senior Cup game on Tuesday night, where Beverley Town visited underneath the Queensgate floodlights, writes Ben Edwards.

A game which saw familiar faces in both camps, it proved to be a much more difficult game than expected considering the two league drop.

The Seasiders found themselves 3-1 behind with just 15 minutes to go, but a Jake Martindale brace off the bench, including a 92nd minute goal sent the game to penalties. Bridlington came out 5-4 winners in the shootout, with Ryan Caulfield excellently converting the winning spot-kick.

Bridlington Town will look to maintain their good form at Stocksbridge PS

Manager Mike Thompson opted to give opportunities to some players who hadn’t featured in recent weeks, whilst resting those who needed it and hence made five changes to the starting line-up.

On the same evening, Stocksbridge travelled to Worksop, looking to continue their fine run of form that saw them win four games on the trot. However, they ended up losing the game 4-1 against a very good, second-placed Worksop side.

Prior to the Beverley Town ERCFA Senior Cup game, Bridlington Town had strung together some decent results, backing up an excellent 1-1 away draw against playoff-pushing Dunston with a 2-1 win against North Shields, a very respectable four points from a possible six.

With Joe Norton finding the equaliser in the 89th minute against Dunston alongside Jack Yates and Martindale’s injury-time goals against North Shields and Beverley, Thompson’s side have become renowned for their late drama.

The visitors finished in a solid mid table position last season, ending the campaign 11th with 46 points.

This season, they are looking to improve and are sitting in sixth place, outside the play-offs only on goal difference.

As for Bridlington Town, they are two places behind Stocksbridge Park Steels, though three points would take them level with Saturday’s opponents.

The previous meeting between the two sides ended in a goalless draw at the Hudgell Solicitor Stadium, whilst the reverse fixture saw Stocksbridge Park Steels win 2-0.