Town need a point

BRIDLINGTON Town travel to Consett AFC hoping to secure the point to guarantee their NPL East Division status for another season.

Last week’s disappointing 2-1 defeat against Ossett United meant the relegation battle would go to the final day.

To make matters worse, Grantham Town won 2-1 twice during the week against Liversedge and Sheffield, whilst Ossett beat Hebburn Town 1-0.

The three results mean Ossett and Grantham have avoided relegation, with Brid dropping to 18th. A point will all but guarantee safety for the Seasiders, who have 35 points. Winterton on 32 at the bottom of the league are highly unlikely to overtake Brid due to their 14 worse goal difference.

If Brid draw and move to 36 points, Brighouse on 33 are almost certain to stay behind the Seasiders, as their goal difference is 11 less. They take on Carlton today, who have already guaranteed a play-off spot.

Town’s opponents Consett, have nothing to play for as they occupy 12th position and have not won any of their last seven games.

In their last match away against Carlton, they had eight first team players missing. It meant that manager Anthony Fawcett had to make his debut at 44 years old, starting as a striker.

He was taken off at half-time, and replaced by their only substitute, which was backup goalkeeper James Anderson.

To make matters worse, Jack Gibbons was sent off in injury time, and will now be suspended against Bridlington. It is a credit to Consett that they only lost 2-1.

Bridlington haven’t lost any of their last five games against Consett, and have won four of them. Earlier in the season, Adrian Costello’s side picked up a convincing 3-0 victory back at the Hudgell Solicitor Stadium.