Bulldogs backed to turn season around despite tough start

BATTLE STATIONS: Bulldogs’ Tyler Hall battles in front of the Titans net during Sunday’s NIHL North Two encounter. Picture: ACL Photography.

JOSH STOCKTON admitted a third straight loss to NIHL North Two leaders Sheffield Titans was “tough to take” for Bradford Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs went down by an 8-2 scoreline for the second straight week to their Yorkshire derby rivals, who are setting the early pace in the division. 

Once again, as at Ice Sheffield seven days earlier, it was a poor second period which cost the Bulldogs. 

Trailing 2-0 at the first intermission, the hosts shipped six goals in the middle period. Although things were much improved in the final 20 minutes, the damage had already been done, the Bulldogs slipping to second bottom in the standings.

“That one was a tough one to take,” said Stockton, who has returned to the fray this season after a year out and leads the Bulldogs’ scoring with 13 goals and six assists in just six games. 

LEAD ROLE: Josh Stockton scored the Bulldogs’ second goal against the Titans on Sunday - his 13th of the 2025-26 campaign. Picture: ACL Photography.

“As a team, we simply didn’t bring a full 60 minutes of effort, and our defensive struggles, especially in the second period, cost us the game. 

“We lost our structure, gave Sheffield too much space, and they punished our mistakes. 

“That said, there were positives to take in that we matched a strong Sheffield side in parts and showed glimpses of what we’re capable of.” 

Keen to avenge the previous week’s defeat in South Yorkshire, the Bulldogs started well in an even first period. 

The deadlock was broken when Ethan Jones beat Jake Lowndes at 14.47 and although the visitors doubled their lead through Noah Barnes just 38 seconds later, there was everything to play for coming out for the second period. 

The belief among the home crowd grew even further when Dave Williams halved the deficit just over two minutes into the second but the Bulldogs failed to build on that momentum and, just after the halfway mark, the game was effectively lost when the Titans fired home four goals in as many minutes. 

NEW FACE: Recently-signed forward Paul Lane made his Bulldogs’ home debut against the Titans on Sunday. Picture: ACL Photography.

The two-goal lead was restored by Harry Roebuck at 30.32 before Harry Illingworth made it 4-1 just 22 seconds later ahead of Joseph Gray getting on the scoresheet at 31.52. 

The Bulldogs responded quickly with a power play marker from Stockton at 32.54 but goals continued to flow at the other end shortly after. 

Illingworth doubled his tally at 34.57 before Luke Reid and Tom Humphries ensured the visitors took an 8-2 lead into the period break.

There was a much-improved performance from the hosts in the final 20 minutes and although they stopped the flow of goals at their end, they were unable to make any further inroads into the deficit, the Titans running out deserved winners, securing their ninth win from 11 games, maintaining a nine-point lead at the top of the standings and ensuring a clean sweep against the Bulldogs for the season.

Stockton said things needed to change quickly for the Bulldogs if they are to realise the potential he feels the team has within its ranks. 

He added: “We need a real step change in consistency, discipline, and intensity to turn this season around, I really believe that this group of players has what it takes.” 

This Sunday, the Bulldogs are back at The Pound to take on Coventry NIHL Blaze (face-off 5.30pm). 

It is also the game where we will be raising funds for Chanelle Snowden, the Bradford teenager who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia earlier this year - READ MORE on how you can help HERE