Skipper Allan’s late header earns hosts Bridlington Town a point against Hallam
Skipper Tom Allan rose to the occasion four minutes from time to head home a dramatic equaliser, earning Bridlington Town their first NPL Division East point of the season in a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Hallam FC on Saturday.
In front of a vibrant crowd of 395 at Queensgate, the Seasiders showed tremendous resolve to battle back from a goal down.
Despite commanding large spells of possession and enduring an afternoon of frustrated penalty appeals, Town’s late dominance finally paid dividends.
Bridlington started with real intent, driving forward early through the lively Ahmed Salam and striker Destiny Nnenanya.
The Seasiders thought they had taken the lead on 34 minutes when Ben Tweed threaded a defence-splitting ball to Destiny, who calmly slotted into the top corner – only to be denied by a raised offside flag.
Moments later, Casey Stewart saw a point-blank double effort denied by the Hallam stopper.
Despite Town’s early dominance, it was the visitors who struck first against the run of play.
In the 40th minute, Hallam’s Leon Howarth found space inside a crowded penalty area, placing a clinical finish into the bottom right corner to send the visitors into the break with a one-goal lead.
Bridlington almost responded instantly before the referee’s whistle, but Will Marshall’s poked effort from a Salam corner skimmed agonisingly past the upright.
Town threw everything forward in the second half.
Alex Markham caused havoc on the wing, dribbling past two defenders into the box before forcing a brilliant low save from the Hallam goalkeeper.
Frustrations mounted inside Queensgate as the referee waved away two major penalty shouts in quick succession – first when Tweed went down under a high challenge in the 77th minute, and again shortly after when a late challenge inside the box went unpunished on Toby Marriott.
With time ticking away and Hallam resorting to game management, Town’s pressure finally smashed through the wall.
In the 86th minute, Tweed whipped a pinpoint corner into the heart of the six-yard box, captain Allan out-leaped his marker to header into the net, sparking ecstatic celebrations across the ground.
There was still time for late heart-in-mouth drama at the death when Hallam launched a 90th-minute counter-attack, poking an effort inches wide of the post to the relief of the home support.
The final whistle confirmed a share of the spoils, giving Brid a crucial platform to build on as the campaign gets underway.
Bridlington Town: Alex Baird, Joe Batty (Joseph Pratley 85'), Alex Markham, Will Marshall (Eddie Kettlewell 58'), Ben Whelan, Tom Allan (C), Casey Stewart (Toby Marriott 63'), Ben Tweed, Ifeanyi "Destiny" Nnenanya(Charlie Birdsall 80’), Ahmed Salam, Luca Bolino (Riley Cooper 58'). .
Hallam FC: Benjamin Anthony Grainger, Jack Brownell, Bolton Makwedza, Jacob Thomas Priestnall, Jack Dando (C), Jesse Osayawemwem Omoregie, Rhys Plater, Jenson Ridge, Leon Earl R Salmon Howard, Bubacarr Sama, Ethan Kachosa. Subs: Alfie Hilton Dodsworth, Danai Rhule, Desmond Amponsah, Corey David Pick, Robert Patrick Guilfoyle.
Match Officials: Ethan Nundy (Referee), James Day (Assistant 1), Michael Wright (Assistant 2).