Bridlington Town (A) – Match Preview

A trip to Bridlington kicks off 2026 for the Steelmen, and if this year is anything like 2025 then we are in for a ride

Our first match of 2026 has us on the road as we travel south where we will face Bridlington Town

Middle of the table, and in the midst of a managerial change, the Seasiders will be looking to nab something off of us.

However, despite some hiccups, we are still one of the strongest sides in the country, and the 2nd highest top scoring side from Step 1 to Step 6 (1st from Step 1 to Step 5).

A +55 GD, with 78 scored, and already at the 50 points mark after just 21 matches, this season has been phenomenal

But the year as a whole has been even better. Promotion was the obvious highlight, but taking to the NPL like a duck to water is a massive bonus.

Adam Boyes, Bradley Fewster and Oscar Fletcher are the top 3 league goalscorers, with Louis Johnson and Curtis Round 7th and 8th as well!

Unbeaten in our last 8 matches, the only team with a better recent* form record than us is Garforth Town (* last 6 games)

In those last 8 matches, we have 20 points, 29 goals scored, and just 8 conceded

Whilst our away form isn’t terrible, the real promise from tomorrow’s fixture is Bridlington’s home run.

Out of the 22 teams, they are sat 19th, picking up just 3 wins and 2 draws at their place.

The only 3 doing worse than them are Bishop Auckland and the 2 Blyths, and looking at the table, those 3 are not as surprising to be that low down.

We will obviously treat each game as they come, and treat each opponent with the level of respect that they deserve

If the Dunston and Consett games have proven anything, it is that you cannot be complacent. Anyone can score against anyone.

Now, as for Bridlington’s past and present, there has been a lot.

Founded in 1918, then reformed 2 years later (They were not patient with that), Bridlington began their campaign in the Yorkshire League Division Two

Their first…well I think first…campaign in division one saw them finish 9th, level on points with Methley Perseverance. Cracking name, I know.

I could spend the rest of this article running through their following seasons, but that isn’t fair on you

So I will just leave the 20th century behind with this:

They finished the 1926-27 season in 15th. The reason they weren’t last is because of Wakefield City, who finished the season with 4 points.

4 draws, 26 defeats, and 123 goals conceded. An average of 4 goals a game, and they didn’t even get relegated as well, and the next season they ended it with 134 conceded and just 2 points.

Sorry, I’ve got really off track there. Back to Bridlington.

Their entry to the NPL East was a very odd one, in that they never directly gained promotion.

Rather, they were offered a spot in the new league during COVID-19. So with a curtailed season, and just 9 matches played, Bridlington, along with Yorkshire Amateur and Liversedge entered Step 4

Bridlington would end up being the only side to remain in the league, though, with Yorkshire Amateur being demoted and Liversedge becoming champions.

Ever since then, they have never really threatened the top of the league, always hovering around the relegation zone, which makes their current league position just a bit better

With a current GD of -3, their main focus will potentially be trying to get that figure into the positives, whilst also climbing the table

But we will provide a tough test tomorrow, so maybe that aim will have to be put on hold for a week.

Anyway, that’s about it for this preview. Happy New Year if you’re reading this on the 31st, and if you’re reading this after, then welcome to the world of tomorrow!

If you’re unable to make it to Bridlington, then there will be live updates on our X account.

Take care, and up the Steelmen!