Sutton Sting 4 Bradford Bulldogs 2: Mardell makes his mark but losing streak continues for Bulldogs
ON THE BOARD: Josh Stockton gave the Bulldogs hope inside the last 10 minutes, but Sutton struck back quickly to pull clear again. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
COACH Andy Brown expressed his disappointment as Bradford Bulldogs’ struggles in Division North Two continued - a 4-2 defeat at Sutton Sting leaving them rooted to the foot of the table.
Time and the fact there are still 17 games remaining offer the Bulldogs plenty of opportunities yet to pull themselves off the bottom.
But Sunday’s reverse at Ice Sheffield extended their losing streak to four games and it was a result which was of their own making, according to head coach Andy Brown.
‘It was a disappointing performance to say the least,” said Brown.
“To only manage ten shots on net over the first two periods is not acceptable. We raised our game a little in the third but it was too little too late.
“Once again we took needless penalties in the final minutes, removing our ability to pull the netminder - effectively sealing our fate.”
MAN OF THE MOMENT: Tom Mardell grabbed his first senior goal in the 4-2 defeat at Sutton Stong and also picked up the Bulldogs' Man of the Match Award afterwards.
The first period proved tough for the visitors, outshot by more than two-to-one as they struggled to create much telling offence.
The deadlock was broken at 11.49 Elliott Meadows capitalised on build-up work from Nathan Bennett and Bailey Templar to put the hosts ahead.
The second period saw the Bulldogs fare little better, particularly when they found themselves 2-0 down just 59 seconds in when Morgan Glasby beat Sam Bolwell.
But the Bulldogs remained resolute and kept themselves into the game deep into the third period, giving themselves a lifeline at 52.12 when Connor Medley and Josh Stockton - a profitable combination all season so far - combined again for the latter to make it a one-goal game.
But, no sooner had the visitors stopped celebrating, that the home side quickly restored their two-goal advantage just 76 seconds later, Ryan Apsley doing the damage.
That lead was stretched to three goals just 25 seconds later when Bolwell was beaten for a fourth time, Templar adding to his earlier assist.
Ryan Wardell replaced Bolwell in net for the Bulldogs for the final few minutes, which managed to produce one bright moment for the Bulldogs when Tom Mardell bagged his first senior goal for the club, the 16-year-old going on to pick up the Man of the Match award afterwards.