Scott Kerr's Brid Town reign starts with 4-0 loss at home to leaders Redcar Athletic
Scott Kerr’s reign as Bridlington Town Head Coach began with a disappointing 4-0 New Year’s Day defeat at home to table-toppers Redcar Athletic after goals from Louis Johnson and a hat-trick from Brad Fewster.
It was clear that Kerr has work to do with the squad as the NPL East season progresses over the halfway period.
The Seasiders have made two signings over Christmas with Reece Kendall coming into the defence from Guiseley and Deshaun Musgrave-Dore signing from League One side Doncaster Rovers.
On what was always going to be a tricky afternoon for the home side, the league leaders broke the deadlock, Louis Johnson with a break down the right flank, and he slotted it into the bottom corner with home keeper Jonathan Dash rooted to the spot.
The Seasiders quickly attacked at Redcar, Michael Coulson with a brilliant cross from the right flank, however Ahmed Salam was unable to latch onto the opportunity.
Bridlington though came agonisingly close to equalising, Salam fired in a corner which landed at Coulson’s feet, his shot was fumbled by Josh Mazfari, but Kendall’s follow-up was cleared off the line by the Redcar shot-stopper, much to the annoyance of the home support who were convinced that the ball had crossed the line.
With an already depleted side Salam had to be taken off the field after just coming back from injury after pulling his hamstring against Ossett United and was replaced by Stan Hewitt.
Both sides had spells of possession dominating the midfield but neither side with any chances on goal, although injury concerns again for the Seasiders as Pete Davidson was replaced by Riley Cooper.
Redcar then doubled their lead, Johnson pressed forward towards goal before his original shot ricocheted off Tom Allan, falling to Brad Fewster, he ran into clear space before thundering his shot into the top corner.
The visitors came close to adding a third before half-time, Mark Anderson made a superb run down the wing before squaring the ball to Fewster, but Matty Dixon was on hand to clear the ball off the line.
As the second period commenced it was Bridlington with the first chance on 61 minutes with Jake Day almost scoring from a Hewitt corner,
However, at the other end, Fewster made a brace for himself, Johnson went through on goal, Dash came out to meet and put his knee out, with his chance falling to Mark Anderson, he squared it to Fewster, and he fired the ball into the empty net.
Redcar made it 4-0 in controversial fashion Oscar Fletcher played through Kendall, the linesman though had put his flag up which had the Seasiders back line confused, however Fletcher played the cross in and Fewster with no mistake, leaving the Seasiders players in disbelief.
A discussion took place between the linesman and referee, but much to annoyance of the home side and fans alike the goal stood.
Hewitt had a late chance for a consolation as he attempted a shot from the edge of the box, but Danni Lay was there to block the effort.
The Seasiders did push late on, Dixon played in a free-kick which fell to Hewitt, he played the pass to Coulson, but his powerful shot hit the side-netting.
As the referee blew for full-time, Town’s poor run continued with four defeats on the bounce, having conceded 15 goals in the last five outings.
Kerr said: “I’m a little bit frustrated, I obviously knew that it was going to be a tough task today playing a team that are top of the league.
"I thought we did well for a lot of spells of the game, they took their chances and moved the ball well.”
On Saturday January 10, the Seasiders travel to strugglers Ashington.