Bulldogs Junior Review: Under-14s, Under-12s and Under-10s in action

GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLSSSSSSS!!!! Charles Farrow, Henry Martin and Jonas Mtethwa were all on target for their respective Bulldogs’ junior teams at the weekend.

BRADFORD BULLDOGS Under-14s got back to winning ways when they edged out visitors Whitley Bay in a hard-fought contest at The Pound.

They were one of three junior teams in action at the weekend, with the Under-12s and Under-10s also hitting the ice. 

The 14s got off to the perfect start when captain Thomas Taylor put them ahead with only 124 seconds on the clock after he was first to react and pounce on a rebound on the edge of the crease.

But it wasn’t long before the visitors were back on level terms, taking advantage of a power play opportunity when Stuart Hall beat Jacob Mardell at 6.21.

The home team out shot their hosts 12-5 in the first period and their zone time paid off when they got themselves ahead again shortly before the first break, Nathan Mitchell breaking free down centre ice before firing past Ansel Groot.

The second period was a more even affair in terms of possession and chances and it was Whitley who were the only team to add to their score when Nathan Hartley equalised at 24.03.

It left everything to play for going into the third, the crucial moment coming in the 34th minute, Taylor finding Charle Farrow in the left circle from where he fired into the top left-hand corner for what proved to be the game-winning goal. 

Nathan Mitchell picked up the Spirit of the Game award, while Jacob Mardell earned the ‘Top Digger’ helmet.

TOP DOGS: Nathan Mitchell with his Under-14s ‘Spirit of the Game’ award and Jacob Mardell, with his ‘Top Digger’ helmet.

With Whitley Bay not having enough players due to illness, the Under-12s’ game was classed as a Challenge Game.

It proved a competitive affair, although the Bulldogs found themselves with a mountain to climb after going 3-0 down to goals from Dylan Turnbull, Denya Minailo and Leo Watson with just over 20 minutes gone. 

Thomas Walker got the Bulldogs back in the game with his first-ever strike for the Under-12s at 29.50, although a second goal for Watson saw the visitors restore their three-goal lead just under four minutes later.

The Bulldogs pulled themselves back to within two goals for a second time through Jonas Mtethwa at 40.13 but two further goals from Minailo inside 41 seconds - bringing him his hat-trick - put the game out of reach in the 43rd minute, with Archie Campbell adding another goal late on to secure a 7-2 win. 

Thomas Walker picked up the Spirit of the Game award with Finley Mardell donning the ‘Top Digger’ helmet (both pictured below).

The Under-10s were also in action at the weekend, heading to Nottinghamshire for their latest cross-ice jamboree against Sheffield, Nottingham and hosts, Sutton.

After a 10-0 loss against Sheffield, the Bulldogs’ youngest pups proved a competitive force against Nottingham and were unlucky to be edged out 2-1, the highlight being Henry Martin’s goal. 

The final game brought the Bulldogs up against the hosts when they lost out 7-2, both their goals coming from the stick of a player loaned from Nottingham. 

Henry Martin picked up the Spirit of the Game award and, afterwards, coach Jemma Livingstone, said: “They all should be really proud of themselves. 

“We are seeing improvement from tournament to tournament - it's not easy playing on a line with people they aren't used to playing with. I'm super proud of them all.”