BRADFORD BULLDOGS found it tough going on the opening weekend of the 2024-25 NIHL North Two season, going down 7-0 on the road at Billingham Buccaneers.

Given the summer of change at The Pound in terms of personnel, it is going to take some time for new faces to bed in and fill the holes left by retiring veterans such Dean Boothroyd, Josh Stockton and Connor Medley.

The Bulldogs battled hard at The Forum against the 2023-24 play-off champions, but were always up against it after falling 3-0 behind inside seven minutes. The second period was a more even affair, but the Buccaneers, who finished fourth in their first season at this level last time out, had too much for the visitors.

Josh Nertney broke the deadlock with only 1.57 on the clock, his early strike being added to just 36 seconds later by a strike from Stephen Wallace.

Before the Bulldogs could respond, they were 3-0 down at 7.00 by a second from Nertney.

The second period saw the Bulldogs come into the game more, putting 17 shots on Chris Outhwaite’sgoal, but the only goal came at the other end when Jake Lowndes was beaten by Anthony Price at 38.23.

The Bulldogs, led by new captain Kieron Furlong for the first time, retained hope of taking something from the game until the 49th minute when Jake Burdon made it 5-0, the Buccaneers enhancing their superiority further with further strikes from Lennon Thomas and Lewis Hall.

This weekend sees the Bulldogs start their home campaign when they welcome Coventry NIHL Blaze.