ANDY BROWN is looking for more consistency from his Bradford Bulldogs team as they prepare to open their home campaign in NIHL North Two this Sunday.

The Bulldogs suffered on the opening day of the 2024-25 campaign when they went down 7-0 at Billingham Buccaneers last week.

But there were signs - particularly in the second period - that Brown’s new-look, younger team were able to compete with the 2023-24 play-off champions.

The team has had to adjust to the loss of several key players from last season, including veterans Dean Boothroyd, Josh Stockton and Connor Medley.

Forward Mikey Speare returned to Deeside, while defenceman Joe Howie has earned himself a two-way deal with North One’s Widnes Wild and is likely to only ice sporadically for the Bulldogs.

Coventry NIHL Blaze arrive at Bradford Ice Arena this weekend fresh from a 4-1 win over Altrincham Aces last Sunday and determined to be a contender at the top end of the table once again.

It represents the first of two tough home encounters for the Bulldogs with 2023-24 league champions Telford Tigers scheduled to visit the following week.

“We know Coventry are a quality outfit, they are usually there or thereabouts most years,” said Brown.

“We need to show up and compete and it will provide another good indication of where we’re at with this new-look team of ours.

“It was a tough night in Billingham - but we knew it was going to be like that against a team who proved a very effective group last season.

“We gave up goals that we didn’t need to and if it hadn't been for our netminder Jake Lowndes, it would have been a lot worse.

“But that second period was more like what I want to see from our group and it needs to be like that going forward, starting against Coventry.”