Bulldogs season over with defeat in Deeside

NOT TO BE: Josh Stockton score twice for the Bulldogs in Deeside but it couldn’t prevent a 7-4 defeat which ended the team’s hopes of making the NIHL North Two post-season. Picture: Abigail James.

THERE was only heartache for Bradford Bulldogs on the final day of the regular season as defeat at Deeside Dragons 2 ended their hopes of making the NIHL North Two play-offs. 

Needing just a point to leapfrog Nottingham Lions 2 to secure the eighth and final play-off spot, the Bulldogs lost out 7-4 in North Wales on Sunday. 

It left the Bulldogs rooted to the bottom of the regular season standings, tied on the same points as Nottingham but missing out by virtue of having fewer wins - just two from 24 games compared to the Lions’ four. 

For player-coach Dave Williams, in his first season at the helm, there was obvious disappointment at failing to make the post-season.

There were times in Deeside where hope was strong that the Bulldogs could get the job done, tied 1-1 after the first period and trailing just 3-1 after 40 minutes. 

But a poor start to the third period, when the Bulldogs conceded two early goals, effectively put the game beyond reach. 

After James Shaw put the hosts ahead in the fifth minute on a delayed penalty, the Bulldogs were quick to respond and get back on level terms when Josh Stockton fired home. 

It was former Bulldogs’ forward Thomas Chong who did the damage in the second period, though, putting the Dragons ahead for a second time at 23.05 before doubling his tally and his team’s lead with another close-range effort - this time on the power play - in the 36th minute. 

The Bulldogs came out for the third looking to close the deficit in what had been a tight game - but they found themselves 5-1 down within three minutes of the restart after Liam Yarwood and then Stewart Cutting beat Jake Lowndes. 

It prompted a quick response from the Bulldogs, who pulled it back to 5-3 with just under 15 minutes to go through Ben Fox and a Stockton power play marker. 

But as they pushed for a way to get the point they needed they ran into penalty trouble, Cutting grabbing his second on a 5-on-3 at 54.01 before Karl Bacon struck on the man advantage to make it 7-4 with just over a minute remaining. 

Abbie Culshaw ensured the Bulldogs had the last word, but it was no more than a late consolation effort with just 14 seconds remaining as the curtain came down on a disappointing campaign.