Juniors’ Review: How the Bulldogs fared against Kingston, Manchester and Nottingham

COMEBACK: Bulldogs’ Under-16s came from behind to win 6-3 at Kingston Sharks on Sunday.

IT was a mixed weekend for Bradford Bulldogs’ junior teams as three of them got their 2023-24 seasons underway.

On Saturday, the Under-12s and Under-14s played host to Nottingham and Manchester Storm Academy respectively, while the Under-16s headed east to Hull to take on Kingston Sharks the following day.

Of the three, the Under-16s were left with cause to celebrate when they came home with both points after coming from behind to win 6-3 at Hull Ice Arena.

Small in number but big in spirit was the order of the day and the Bulldogs didn’t disappointment, even after falling behind to goals from Matthew Pickup (6.25), James Hebb (17.54) and former Bulldog William Durgan, whose power play strike at 20.44 put the hosts firmly in control at 3-0.

But the goal that had been threatened by the visitors eventually arrived when captain Daragh Spawforth took a pass from Charlie Farrow before turning and firing past Lewis Curry at 24.35.

NOW HEAR THIS: Coach Andy Brown gives his Under-16s instructions during the first period break.

Just 31 more seconds had elapsed when it became a one-goal game after Spawforth doubled his tally, the visitors drawing level just over three minutes later when Danny Harrison beat Curry through his legs.

Just under two minutes into the third period, Spawforth weaved his way through the Sharks’ defence as a power play came to an end to beat Curry with his hat-trick strike, the Bulldogs’ skipper adding his fourth from close-range after Harrison drove in from the right-hand side before laying off. 

Goals from Bulldogs’ Under-16s come-from-behind 6-3 win at Kingston Sharks

Harrison then sealed the points when he made it 6-3 with his second of the game at 42.05, with netminder Jacob Mardell getting the ‘Spirit of the Game’ award for an impressive display in goal.

It was tough going on home ice for both the 12s and the 14s the previous day.

Up first, the Under-12s found themselves battling with an impressive Nottingham side, Mason Newman leading the way for the visitors with a first period hat-trick.

Grayson Wood (2), Jamie Oliphant, Archie White and Harley Morgan also found the net as the visitors ran out 8-0 winners.

Shortly after, the Under-12s took to the ice for a eagerly-anticipated Roses clash against Manchester. 

PLAY MISTY FOR ME: The Bulldogs’ Under-12s goal comes under attack from Nottingham at Bradford Ice Arena on Saturday.

After a tight first shift, Mario Vaksmansky broke the deadlock at 1.07 when he prodded home past Jacob Mardell. 

There was little to choose between the two thereafter until Adam Vanek doubled the lead at 10.12. 

Vaksmansky then took over, putting his team 4-0 ahead with two more strikes and, although Thomas Taylor got the home team on the board at 16.23, the talented Storm forward restored his team’s four-goal advantage with his fourth of the game at 17.43. 

Manchester dominated possession, chances and zone time and increased their lead further in the second through three more goals from Vaksmansky, who went on to complete a remarkable nine-goal haul in the third as the visitors ran out deserved 10-1 winners.