Brighouse wrap up their Northern Premier League East campaign with a heavy defeat on the East Coast.
Derry Robson’s side travelled with only two named subs and that is indicative of the struggles the club has had to endure these past few months.
Bridlington’s ‘Players’ Player of The Season’ and Captain Ahmed Salam bagged his second Hat-Trick in a week and opened proceedings after three minutes when he struck left-footed from the right-of-centre of the box with the power and accuracy leaving Michael Acquah no chance.
One of the two substitutes was called upon less than ten minutes into the match as the visitors were forced into an early change for Harry Wood after he blocked to deny Casey Stuart. Early indications signal potential cartilage damage.
Ten minutes later a curled ball up the left set Stanley Hewitt away and with Acquah advancing chipped over and across the Brighouse Captain for the second.
Brighouse looked to capitalise on a mis-hit clearance from Bridlington Goalkeeper Alex Baird, but the intercepting Jack Mason was forced out wide winning a corner which went across goal and out the other side.
Ben Farrar for the hosts had been a constant menace once more down that left side flashing many a low ball across the Brighouse box with little reward for said effort. On thirty-seven however, he opted to cut inside onto his right foot and shoot tucking the third under Acquah.
As four minutes of injury time in the first half was indicated, The Seasiders got another. Alex Markham flicking in unmarked at the near post from a low corner.
Brighouse did have a few half chances as the second half wore on, the main being a header back across goal from Substitute Muhammad Arif which needed to be cleared off the line. Theo Wainman also had a speculative hit from thirty yards well over the bar.
The hosts on the afternoon were more clinical when presented with opportunities and Salam’s second on seventy was an excellent curled left-footed shot from the edge of the area with enough power and accuracy to tuck in at the far post. His Hat-Trick came from the spot five minutes later after Ferdinand Annor pulled a man back in the box.
Two in the last minute from Brid Substitute Ifeanyi Nnenanya were ‘carbon copy’ finishes – down the right side, pushed out wider in the box before finishing low and hard right-footed.
Brighouse Assistant Manager Andy Holihan remarked at Full-Time, “We’ve come with thirteen players and they’ve given their all. We couldn’t ask any more of them”.
Att – 387
Goals – Ahmed Salam x3 (3’, 68’, 74’), Stanley Hewitt (18’), Alex Markham (44’), Ifeanyi Nnenanya x2 (89’, 90’).
Bridlington Town: 1. Alexander Baird, 2. Riley Cooper, 3. Alex Markham, 4. Denny Oliver (Charley Whight – 64’), 5. Ben Whelan (Alexander Huntsman – 80’), 6. Joseph Pratley, 7. Eddie Kettlewell (Hamza Hamdosh – 57’), Ahmed Salam ©, 9. Ben Farrar, 10. Casey Stuart (Ifeanya Nnenanya – 57’), 11. Stanley Hewitt (Olly Green – 57’).
Subs: 12. Hamza Hamdosh, 14. Ifeanya Nnenanya, 15. Olly Green, 16. Charley Whight, 17. Alexander Huntsman.
Brighouse Town: 1. Michael Acquah ©, 2. Derry Robson, 3. Ferdinand Annor, 4. Isaac Acquah, 5. Joshua Eccles, 6. Christopher Cordara-Soanes, 7. Jack Mason, 8. Harry Wood (Muhammad Arif – 9’), 9. Harvey Booth, 10. Reece Mullins (Charlie Howard – 63’), 11. Theo Wainman.
Subs: 12. Muhammad Arif, 14. Charlie Howard.