Malet Vikings Firsts travelled to Bridlington Sports Centre - Grass Pitch No. 4 on 20 September 2025 for a league away fixture against Bridlington Spa FC, kicking off at 2:00pm. The match ended in a 3-2 defeat for the Vikings after a hard-fought 90 minutes plus added time under referee Simon Porter’s watchful eye.
Deploying a traditional 4-4-2 formation, Malet Vikings Firsts set up with Milosz Iwanow in goal, protected by a back four comprising Jack Pickering at right back, Sam Graham and Jake Jobling as central defenders, and Luke Dunn on the left. The midfield line featured Alex Dickinson on the right flank, Lyndon Hodgson and Harry Fox centrally, and James Watts on the left wing. Up front, George Gearing operated as the right forward alongside MacCauley Moore on the left. This setup was designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking width and penetration through the flanks. The substitutes named for the match were Tyler Lawson, Alistair Biggs, and Archie Smithson.
The game began with Bridlington Spa FC asserting early pressure, and it was no surprise when they opened the scoring in the 12th minute. A well-delivered cross into the box found an opponent’s forward who rose highest to head home from close range, giving the home side an early advantage. Malet Vikings’ defence struggled to clear their lines effectively, and this was compounded twelve minutes later when a defensive error allowed Bridlington Spa to double their lead. The visitors’ backline was caught out of position, enabling the opponents to slot the ball home with a precise right-footed finish.
Despite the two-goal deficit, Malet Vikings Firsts showed resilience and began to find their rhythm as the first half progressed. Their efforts were rewarded just before the interval when MacCauley Moore pulled one back in the 41st minute. The left forward demonstrated composure and clinical finishing to reduce the arrears, injecting renewed hope into the visitors’ ranks. The half concluded with Bridlington Spa still leading 2-1.
At the interval, Malet Vikings made an immediate change, bringing Tyler Lawson on for Alex Dickinson to freshen up the right midfield position. However, the home side wasted no time in restoring their two-goal cushion, scoring a tap-in just three minutes into the second half. The goal came from close range, with the Bridlington Spa forward capitalising on a loose ball and finishing neatly with the right foot.
Malet Vikings Firsts responded with further substitutions as the match wore on. Alistair Biggs replaced left back Luke Dunn in the 60th minute, aiming to shore up the defence and provide greater stability down the left flank. Six minutes later, Archie Smithson came on for right forward George Gearing in a tactical switch designed to inject fresh attacking impetus.
The visitors continued to press and were rewarded late on when MacCauley Moore struck again in the 88th minute. His second goal of the match narrowed the deficit to a single goal, setting up a frantic finale. Despite their best efforts to find an equaliser in the closing moments, Malet Vikings Firsts were unable to breach Bridlington Spa’s defence again.
Lyndon Hodgson was a standout performer in midfield, orchestrating play and driving his team forward throughout the contest. His industrious display earned him the player of the match accolade. Ultimately, however, the Vikings fell short in a closely contested encounter, with Bridlington Spa FC securing a vital 3-2 victory on home soil.
