Match Report: Bridlington Town 0-4 Redcar Athletic

Another away win for the Steelmen, this season keeps getting better

Happy New Year!

The final stretch of the 2025/26 season is here, and there are just a few months of football to play, and two trophies still to fight for

First up, it was a trip to Bridlington. A trip to the coast, just beyond Scarborough, and it meant we were joined by some very nippy conditions.

A rotated line-up meant we saw Dane Burlace, Bryan Taylor and Mark Anderson all start, along with the return of John Howard following his suspension

We got off to a great start though, as Louis Johnson put us ahead within 3 minutes, finishing a clean move off as he cut in from the right, and, amidst calls for a pass, placed a brilliant effort past the keeper and into the far corner.

1-0 up early on, there wasn’t much more you could ask for. Bridlington responded to that goal by pushing for their own, but all of their chances either went wide or were comfortably gathered by Josh Mazfari.

A minor panic ensued in the 17th minute, when a whipped in corner pinged about the box, and it caused the Bridlington fans to demand a goal, with the thought that the ball had crossed the line.

The referee, however, waved those calls away and play resumed.

John Howard then got our next great chance, as Louis Johnson was once more involved in an attacking move as he cut onto his left foot and laid a pass off to John, who took a thunderous strike at goal that whistled past the post.

More chances came and went for the Steelmen, with Bridlington continuously begging for offsides that were never given, much to their frustration

Another strike put wide, this time by Mark Anderson, was joined by our 2nd goal of the afternoon

A truly stunning shot by Brad Fewster, as he did what he normally does, in bagging a goal away from the Hollou

This strike came from a lapse in concentration from the Bridlington defence, as they hesitated on a bouncing ball, allowing Brad to nip in, nab it, and lift it deftly over the keeper to finish off a quick and clean move for our forward

The hosts nearly got one back not long after, as a ball came into the box, evaded our defence and found a man at the back post, but somehow he was unable to turn it into the net, and it meant we held on to the clean sheet, and the 2 goal lead.

The final act of the first half saw end-to-end football, as Adam Boyes produced a superb tackle to win the ball back off a shielding defender, and he then passed it to Oscar Fletcher, who saw his shot frustratingly deflected out of play.

Bridlington then countered, forcing Mazfari to make a great stop in the dying moments to keep the scores the same.

That was the final real action of the first half, and it meant we entered the break with a solid lead.

The second half resumed insanely quickly, meaning I missed the first minute or so, but it didn’t seem like I had missed any action yet

Louis Johnson began this second half in tremendous style, creating a plethora of chances all across the pitch, and it seemed like we were destined to further our lead.

Destiny came true in the 62nd minute, as Fewster got his second goal of the game. A goal kick from Mazfari found Fletcher, who slipped a pass through to Johnson.

An onrushing keeper got to the ball at the same moment Louis did, and it caused the ball to ping back to Bosh, who nabbed the ball away from the keeper and pulled a pass into the 6 yard box where Fewster, under pressure, was able to just about put a strike into the net.

He had his brace, and we were 3-0 up

For about 3 minutes.

In the 65th minute Mark Anderson produced a deft chip to Dane Burlace, who went down the right wing and whipped a ball into the box, where he found Brad Fewster at the back post, who was able to turn it in

Amidst that move, the linesman’s flag also went up. Now, I, along with the Bridlington supporters, thought that it was raised for an offside

It wasn’t. What we believe it was actually for, was a foul on Dane, that was met with an advantage, and ultimately the goal

Bridlington’s players and fans were not happy. But we were.

That fourth saw the game full down, though we did still push for another, and Bridlington also tried, although they still couldn’t score, with all their attempts either going wide or being saved

Our best chance in the final moments came following a beautiful move that saw multiple players produce neat passes to each other as they worked and weaved their way into the box

The final strike from this move was from Johnson, who saw his shot just about gathered and held by the keeper.

The last bit of real action though came from Mark Anderson, with a Dane Burlace corner finding the midfielder at the edge of the box, where he set himself up and had a trike at goal that very narrowly missed the top right corner. Agonisingly close to a goal that would have had everyone on their feet.

Still, though, the full tie whistle came, and we had not only won, but won comfortably, with a clean sheet to go along with it.

After how December went for the Steelmen, this was definitely a refreshing result

Up next, we host Richmond Town in the North Riding cup. Reduced admissions will be on offer, so we hope to see you at the Hollou

If you’re unable to make it, then there will be updates on our X page, as always.

Up the Steelmen!