EAST COAST DERBY SEES CLEETHORPES AND BRID SHARE THE POINTS

CLEETHORPES TOWN 1 V BRIDLINGTON TOWN 1
NCEL PREMIER 28 FEB 2015---3PM
@BRADLEY COMMUNITY STADIUM

THE MAIN VIEW OF THE BRADLEY COMMUNITY STADIUM

Both teams goals in the latter stages of the first half produced what was probably the correct result with Cleethorpes shading the first half and the visitors Bridlington gaining the upper hand in the second period in this well fought east coast derby.
As ever before the match the day started with a train journey and for the first time in a few weeks we were heading east and not west into North Wales.  Having never visited the centre of Grimsby before and only twice made a trip to Blundell Park home of Grimsby Town I was looking forward to this visit.  As most footy fans learnt as school kids Grimsby Town don't even play in the town but just over the border in neighbouring Cleethorpes, well today here is Cleethorpes Town who play in Grimsby, well the small hamlet of Bradley to be exact just short of 3 miles out of the town.  Grimsby Town are looking at a new ground as I believe are Cleethorpes Town in what is to be hoped a move to their home town.
Anyway the journey past Doncaster has very little of interest and was probably one for a nap with little noteworthy views save for the large proliferation of wind farms and the massive expanse of Scunthorpe steel works.

GRIMSBYS 200FT DOCK TOWER

The run into Grimsby was probably one of the dourest journeys this season but on arrival at Grimsby Town station, something that every time its was announced I couldn't help but add 'one'. You are greeted by a highlighted approach road paved in three forms of grey paving bricks and the massive Yarborough Hotel which is now a Wetherspoons.
Having arrived early we had the intent of taking in the air of the docks, after a walk by the Fish Heritage Centre and swing bridge[now lifting bridge] it was time to take a look at the fish docks.  With camera out security were quick to advise me photos could not be taken but we could walk down towards the Grimsby Dock Tower, 200ft high.  We decided against this and popped back to the flyover to try to get a shot over viewing the docks thankfully one side of the flyover was closed for road works and aided this effort.
We ambled back through a shopping area close to the docks that one can only imagine in its day was a thriving business community but sadly now Freeman Street is a run down area striving to revisit the glory days.  The walk back to town continued via busy road intersections and cuttings and we finally arrived at Ice Barque a Lloyds No1 bar in the Wetherspoon chain for a sit down and some luncheon.
The central highlight of Grimsby's shopping centre has to be its indoor precinct Freshney Place which must be the longest shopping mall in a straights line I have come across.  Overall though I did not find myself warming to Grimsby it seems a town in decline and in real need of a reorganization and tidy up.

SMILE!

We headed back to find bus service number 3 to Bradley crossroads and then a short walk to the ground, the bus deviates off around the very large Nunsthorpe estate which at our entry point has  large greeting posts welcoming you to the estate.

WANTED THIS TO BE SIMPLES BUS
FOR MEERKATS TRAVELLING

Its always interesting to take local bus travel in the town of the selected game as you are never quite sure you are on the correct bus or going the right way, however thanks to the gps on most phones there is always a degree of satisfaction when you do get it right and thankfully today we soon arrived at our point of intention in Bradley Road crossroads.
On arrival at the Bradley Community facility, also used by Grimsby Borough FC, there are surrounding grounds on grass and 3g with games starting and finishing as we arrived.  Entrance for us today is via a single turnstile block to the right of the main entrance.
Behind the far goal is a small Atcost stand for covered standing which is postioned directly behind the goal.  To the right is a larger Atcost stand with seated accommodation, something that is already well occupied by the teenage followers of Bridlington Town who seemed today to be the main reason why there was any atmosphere. 

ENTRANCE FOR THE GROUND AT BRADLEY COMMUNITY STADIUM

MAIN ATCOST STAND

Behind the entrance goal, as elsewhere, was hard standing of a good depth.  Straight on leads you to the left hand side which features the building that serves the whole complex with toilets, changing rooms and cafe area.  The latter has a nice inside area to keep warm before and at half time with a large TV projector screen to keep you up to date with the scores.  The players enter the pitch via a nice size extending tunnel,  The meshed green fencing around the ground gives the usual effect of being on a leisure centre complex however the first half of this is nicely blocked off with wooden fencing that gives protection from non paying spectators.

The ground sadly lacks a public address system or not one in operation today and this along with the general feel about the ground made it give the impression of being rather soulless, except for the young followers from Bridlington who added some, rather fruity at times, atmosphere by there singing and support something that was appreciated by the visiting players at the end of the game.
So to the game and after constant pressure from Cleethorpes the inevitable happened Bridlington scored a cross from the right finally found Will Waudby who slotted home after 37 minutes. 

BRIDS JAMES HITCHCOCK

Home debut keeper Liam Higton had to be alert three minutes later when he pulled off excellent saves from Lewis Poucher and Chris Adams.  Cleethorpes deservedly pulled back level on 42 minutes when Jack Richardson weaved his way to he edge of the box before striking home a glorious drive into the bottom right hand corner of the visitors goal.  This goal galvanized Cleethorpes and they so nearly took the lead a minute later when Marc Cooper unleashed a vicious drive that Brid keeper James Hitchock pushed the effort onto his bar and over.

 

The second half was a workmanlike affair with this time Bridlington being in the ascendancy and creating the clearer chances.  However when referee Matt McGrath blew the final whistle at 4.50pm the 1-1 draw was the correct result for both teams efforts over 90 minutes.
Following the reverse journey on the number 3 to Grimsby town center we had an hour to wait for the train and following a small walk around the shopping streets it was time to decamp into the Yarbourgh Hotel for a warm and refreshment on what was becoming an increasingly cold evening.

BRID BENCH PREPARING FOR THE KICK OFF

Train departure secured from Grimsby it was a slow and meandering journey back to the Sheffield connection and base was arrived at around 9pm.
A new visit however I look forward to seeing Cleethorpes in a new ground and hope they can enjoy that soon the plus side of the visit today was an excellent programme along with their ever productive publicity machine via twitter/website all of which are a credit to their club.


AS EVER THE END PHOTO TODAYS STATION AT GRIMSBY TOWN [ONE!]