Bulldogs find it tough on the road in 2022-23 NIHL North Two opener at Coventry
BRADFORD BULLDOGS came off second-best in their NIHL North Two opener when going down 4-1 on the road at Coventry Blaze.
But it was a close-run thing with Andy Brown’s team just one goal adrift until the last 15 minutes when two goals in the space of 54 seconds put paid to their chances of overhauling their hosts.
The deadlock wasn’t broken until the 26th minute - the Bulldogs having proved a good match for their hosts throughout a goalless first period.
Click HERE for all of Aimee Hollingsworth's photos from Saturday's NIHL North Two clash between Coventry and the Bulldogs at the Skydome Arena.
But it was Daniel Upton who first found the net, firing past Bulldogs’ netminder Sam Bolwell with 25.51 on the clock.
It wasn’t long before the Bulldogs were level, however, equalising at 27.47 through Lucas Vince’s unassisted effort.
The away team’s joy at finding the net for the first time this season was also short-lived, though, Ethan Wheeldon benefitting from brother Connor’s feed to restore the home side’s lead with only 27 more seconds having elapsed.
The Bulldogs came under increased pressure throughout the middle period and needed Bolwell to keep them in the game by turning away 10 of the 11 shots that were directed on her net, while the visitors could only muster three at the other end on Hayden Laverick.
Given they were just one adrift coming out for the third, the Bulldogs had every reason to believe they could still take something from the game.
Click HERE for all of Aimee Hollingsworth's photos from Saturday's NIHL North Two clash between Coventry and the Bulldogs at the Skydome Arena.
But the deficit was increased to two goals when Jamie Lewis pounced at 45.28, the game effectively won less than a minute later when Harry Sherlock made it 4-1.
This weekend, the Bulldogs make their home debut for the season when they take on Nottingham Lions at Little Horton Lane. Face-off is 4.45pm, with admission costing £5 (£3 concessions).
Under-12s pick up first win
Elsewhere at the weekend, the Under-12s registered their first win of the season with a 4-1 triumph over visitors Billingham.
They did it the hard way though, coming from behind before running out deserved winners, the Stars going ahead at 8.37 through Skelton.
It was captain Thomas Lee who pulled the hosts level when he benefitted from a Kyle Bower pass to fire home from close range at 13,15.
With just 41 seconds of the period remaining, Thomas Andrews broke clear down the middle to make it 2-1, the lead doubling early in the second period when Lee grabbed his second of the game from a rebound.
Andrews matched his captain’s tally when he made it 4-1 with 31.50 on the clock, with no further goals coming in the third.
Shortly after, the Bulldogs’ Under-16s played host to Division One North rvials Sheffield in a game that was switched to a Challenge game at the visitors’ request.
In what was effectively a scrimmage, both teams still committed fully to the cause, the visitors running out 8-1 winners, with Daragh Spawforth grabbing the hosts’ only goal.