Bulldogs edge out Dragons in pre-season opener

GOOD START: Bulldogs’ players celebrate one of Paul Lane’s three first period strikes against Deeside Dragons 2 on Sunday at The Pound. Picture: Jason Devanney/View From Up Here Photography.

DAVE WILLIAMS praised Bradford Bulldogs after staying calm in order to hold off a comeback from Deeside Dragons 2 to come out on top 6-5 in the team’s pre-season opener at The Pound. 

Paul Lane led the way with a first-period hat-trick for the Bulldogs, with fellow forward Chis Waites making it a debut to remember with a brace and Josh Stockton completing the scoring. 

There were a number of impressive debut performances for the Bulldogs, with defenceman Paul Litchfield also making his bow, alongside teenage forward Harry Harling and netminder Lewis Curry. 

Their first outing was complimented by a number of players returning to the fray for the Bulldogs for the 2026-27 season, Sam Bolwell in goal, as well as forwards Declan Kime and Connor Medley, while assistant coach Mike Forbes took up his position on the Bulldogs bench for the first time, too.

Kime’s second spell as a Bulldog was short-lived, unfortunately, after taking a high hit early in a first period which saw the Bulldogs dominate to take a 3-1 lead. 

The influential Lane diverted a Kacper Andrukianiec pass past former Bulldogs’ netminder Jake Lowndes to break the deadlock at 6.55 before doubling his and the hosts’ tally just under three minutes later off a neat feed from Stockton. 

SURROUNDED: Bulldogs’ D-man Ben Darbyshire battles against Deeside on Sunday. Picture: Jason Devanney/View From Up Here Photography.

Deeside halved the deficit through Shannon Lingwood at 14.50 but it wasn’t long before the two-goal cushion was restored when Lane completed his hat-trick with a one-timer from the right circle just 16 seconds later. 

James Parsons made it a one-goal game in the 27th minute but it wasn’t long before the Bulldogs were two to the good again when Waites got off the mark with a redirect from in front to make it 4-2 at 29.03. 

A second for Lingwood again reduced the deficit to one at 30.29, something which was repeated by Noah Percival in the 36th minute, after Stockton had made it 5-3 with 34.16 on the board while the Bulldogs were on the power play.

BUILDING BLOCKS: Player-coach Dave Williams in action during Sunday’s pre-season win over Deeside. Picture: Jason Devanney/View From Up Here Photography.

Deeside eventually pulled level with just over 10 minutes left when Lewis Edward beat replacement goalie Curry from the top of the left circle. 

But the Bulldogs ensured a winning start to their pre-season when Waites neatly rounded the goalie to fire into an empty net at 55.01. 

“We got off to a great start, thanks to some clinical finishing from Paul,” said player-coach Dave Williams. 

“We couldn’t quite shake them off throughout the whole game as they kept coming back at us. But we stuck at it and got the job done. There were a number of impressive performances and I thought all the debutants did well. 

“There’s definitely plenty to build on going into our next games against Widnes and Sutton.”

The Bulldogs have two more pre-season home games this weekend, hosting Widnes Wild 2 on Saturday, August 29 (face-off 4.30pm; doors 3.45pm) before defending NIHL North Two champions Sutton Sting visit The Pound on Sunday, August 30 (face-off 5.30pm; doors 4.45pm).
Tickets are available by paying cash or card on the door and priced as follows:

🔴 Adults: £6

⚫️ Under 5-16s, students and OAPs: £3

🟡 Family ticket (2 adults, 2 U-16s): £14

⚪️ Kids (Under-5): for a QUID!