REPORT BY: PHIL HARRISON

BRADFORD BULLDOGS came off second-best in their NIHL North Two opener when going down 4-1 on the road at Coventry Blaze.

But it was a close-run thing with Andy Brown’s team just one goal adrift until the last 15 minutes when two goals in the space of 54 seconds put paid to their chances of overhauling their hosts.

The deadlock wasn’t broken until the 26th minute - the Bulldogs having proved a good match for their hosts throughout a goalless first period.

But it was Daniel Upton who first found the net, firing past Bulldogs’ netminder Sam Bolwell with 25.51 on the clock.

It wasn’t long before the Bulldogs were level, however, equalising at 27.47 through Lucas Vince’s unassisted effort.

The away team’s joy at finding the net for the first time this season was also short-lived, though, Ethan Wheeldon benefitting from brother Connor’s feed to restore the home side’s lead with only 27 more seconds having elapsed.

The Bulldogs came under increased pressure throughout the middle period and needed Bolwell to keep them in the game by turning away 10 of the 11 shots that were directed on her net, while the visitors could only muster three at the other end on Hayden Laverick.

Given they were just one adrift coming out for the third, the Bulldogs had every reason to believe they could still take something from the game.

But the deficit was increased to two goals when Jamie Lewis pounced at 45.28, the game effectively won less than a minute later when Harry Sherlock made it 4-1.

This weekend, the Bulldogs make their home debut for the season when they take on Nottingham Lions at Bradford Ice Arena. Face-off is 4.45pm, with admission costing £5 (£3 concessions).

Despite missing out on an opening day victory, Bradford Bulldogs are not short of motivation after they only just missed out on the NIHL North Two play-offs last season.

His side enter the new campaign with a much-changed roster, a number of players either having retired or moved on elsewhere. Others are on two-way deals that see them remain tied to the Bulldogs, although it remains to be seen how big a role they will play under Brown.