Bulldogs v Sheffield Scimitars 2 - match report
REPLY: Bulldogs’ Declan Kime scores in tyhe second period against Sheffield Scimitars 2 at The Pound on Sunday - but the visitors enjoyed a deserved 6-2 win. Picture: Jason Devanney/View From Up Here Photography
BRADFORD BULLDOGS found it tough going against Sheffield Scimitars 2, who kept up the pressure on leaders Sutton Sting with a 9-2 win at The Pound on Sunday.
It was Sutton who bossed proceedings the previous week in West Yorkshire with a 9-4 win and it was a similar story when the Scimitars came to town.
It leaves the Bulldogs fifth in the early-season NIHL North Two standings as they take a small break before preparing for their visit to Widnes Wild 2 on Sunday, October 11.
As was the case the week before, a slow start by the Bulldogs proved costly as they found themselves trailing 2-0 inside 10 minutes through goals from Rory Ross-Docherty and Oshan Phillips.
Tyler Hall’s determination enabled him to halve the deficit when he forced the puck home from close-range at 13.44 but the two-goal lead was restored by Phillips three minutes later.
Three goals in six second period minutes then ultimately settled the contest, the Scimitars forging further ahead through Reece Wickens at 21.56 before Markus Jansons and Luke Reid also got on the board.
NOT THIS TIME: The Bulldogs put the Scimitars goal under pressure but netminder Hayden Oates keeps them out. Picture: Jason Devanney/View From Up Here Photography
A slither of hope arrived for the hosts when Declan Kime reduced the deficit 31.55 but that was how it stayed going into the third.
If there was to be any hope of a comeback, the Bulldogs needed to score first in the final 20, but it was Sheffield who struck, Jansons grabbing his second of the night at 46.25.
As was the case throughout, the Bulldogs still created plenty of scoring chances in the third, but came up against a solid performance from Hayden Oates in the Scimitars net who turned away all but two of the 42 shots on his net.
Heading into the last five minutes, the Scimitars increased their lead further through Scott Howells, with Luke Reid grabbing his second of the night with 44 seconds remaining.