Bridlington put five past Cobras

However, the 5-1 scoreline rather flattered the visitors, and after missing a first half penalty, the Cobras were still in the game until two late goals killed off their hopes.

The Cobras had an early chance when skipper Richard Patterson found Adam Shepherd in the area but the latter’s shot was straight at James Hitchcock in the Bridlington goal.

Hitchcock then had to race out of his area to head the ball clear and prevent Reece Treasure getting on the end of a long ball from Sam Forster.

A warning of Bridlington’s firepower came in the ninth minute when they broke quickly and Brett Agnew’s shot was just wide.

George Milner, returning after injury, looked lively for the Cobras and his ability to dribble and take on opponents was evident.

One such run in the 23rd minute saw him beat two defenders but the resulting shot was straight at Hitchcock, before the resulting corner was headed wide by Richard Haigh.

Bridlington took control of the game with two goals in three minutes, the first on 34 minutes when a cross from the right was drilled home by Agnew.

The visitors struck again almost immediately when a corner played into the near post went through a crowd of players and into the goal with Chris Jenkinson getting the final touch.

As half-time approached the Cobras had an ideal chance to reduce the arrears when Milner was brought down by Alex Knaggs in the box, but Andrew Fox’s penalty was well saved by Hitchcock.

Clipstone came close in the second half when an excellent corner by Forster to the back post was headed wide by Treasure.

But they were then their own worst enemies when a defensive mix up gifted Agnew his second goal.

Steve McDonnell, who has been out through injury for over four months then replaced Treasure and immediately had an impact, combining well with Milner before being denied by a great saving tackle by Jack Walters.

Cobras’ man of the match Milner then has another chance when his free-kick from wide on the left came back off the post.

Clipstone did eventually get the goal their efforts deserved on 84 minutes when Patterson shot past Hitchcock.

However, two late goals for Bridlington ensured there was no way back for the Cobras, Agnew completing his hat-trick and then static defending allowed McNamara to head home a corner in added time.

The Cobras’ visit the NCEL Premier League’s bottom side Barton Town Old Boys on Saturday.