Frustration as Bulldogs are denied by Sheffield Titans yet again

ON TARGET: Jack Wooding opened the scoring for Bradford Bulldogs in their NIHL North Two clash at Sheffield Titans. Picture courtesy of Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.

ANDY BROWN was left frustrated after seeing his Bradford Bulldogs lose out to NIHL North Two rivals Sheffield Titans for a third straight time this season.

The 6-3 defeat was the Bulldogs’ first defeat in regulation since February 5 and, according to their head coach, it was another game where a failure to convert their scoring opportunities came back to hurt them.

"It was frustrating because we were more than a good match for Sheffield and it was about time we got the better of them this season,” said Brown.

"And we should have done but, again, like the week before against Altrincham, we couldn't convert enough of the good goal-scoring chances that we were able to create. 

"The first two periods, there was hardly anything in it. We got off to a great start with those two early goals, but then somehow we found ourselves behind. 

"Going into the third, I was confident we could overturn the one-goal deficit but them getting an early one seemed to knock the stuffing out of us.”

The Bulldogs did indeed get off to a promising start when Jack Wooding, not long returned from a long injury layoff, broke the deadlock by firing past Nick Winters with just 5.48 on the board.

AT THE DOUBLE: Josh Stockton had his sights set correctly, grabbing two goals in the 6-3 defeat at Sheffield Titans. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.

But it wasn’t long before the hosts were level - 45 seconds in fact - Ben Roebuck beating Ryan Wardell on a delayed penalty call.

Only another 55 seconds had passed before the next goal came, this time Connor Medley setting up Josh Stockton - a combination which has worked so well for the Bulldogs this season - to make it 2-1.

Again, though, the hosts rallied quickly, equalising for a second time through James Cooper on the power play at 10.11 by James Cooper. And they were to go in at the first break ahead after Michael Danecko struck at 16.49.

Again there wasn’t much to choose between the two teams in the middle section, Stockton getting his second of the night with a short-handed strike at 23.59, D-man Alex Mitchell getting the assist. 

But it wasn’t long before the visitors found themselves trailing again when Reaghan Taylor scored at 27.30. The Bulldogs’ attempts to pull themselves level were then severely hampered by the fact they spent a good chunk of the rest of the period on the penalty kill. 

FRUSTRATED: Bradford Bulldogs’ head coach Andy Brown.

Their hopes of overhauling their hosts were hit further early in the third when Rory Ross-Docherty doubled the Titans’ lead at 43.10 and, as the BUlldogs pushed hard for a way back into the game their cause was further hit when Danecko fired a second for himself to make it 6-3 at 57.35.

"We've got four games left now and I want us to finish the season strongly,” added Brown. “It's been a tough season for various reasons, but I want us to finish it well and then pick up where we left off again when we come back in September."