Recap

Three Bridges Heartbreak After Dominant Display Against Leatherhead

Three Bridges produced arguably their best performance of the season on Tuesday night at Jubilee Field against Leatherhead, but were left heartbroken after surrendering a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 in a game they dominated for large periods.

Bridges made the perfect start and took the lead inside just two minutes. A Reece Hallard corner was delivered to the back post, where Sam Bull rose highest to meet it with a superb header and give the hosts an early 1-0 advantage.

It was dreamland for Bridges just seven minutes later. Reece Hallard cut in from the left before unleashing a powerful effort from around 25 yards which flew into the top corner, giving Sonny Wheeler no chance and putting the hosts 2-0 up with an early contender for goal of the season.

Despite Bridges’ dominance, Leatherhead managed to find a way back into the contest. A low, drilled ball into the box caused panic amongst the Bridges defence and, although Sam Roberts produced an excellent initial save, he could do nothing about Nathan Hogan’s powerful rebound as the visitors reduced the deficit to 2-1.

To their credit, Bridges immediately dusted themselves down and continued to attack, with their pressure rewarded in the 39th minute.

Hayden Velvick delivered a dangerous cross which was met by Charlie Bennett. His initial effort was blocked, but Kevin Rivera reacted quickest to the loose ball and applied a composed finish to restore Bridges’ two-goal advantage at 3-1.

The hosts were good value for their lead at the interval and continued to dominate proceedings after the restart.

Bridges came close to adding a fourth on several occasions. Reece Hallard forced a superb save from Wheeler before Hayden Velvick embarked on a sensational run, carrying the ball almost the full length of the pitch before seeing his effort crash against the left-hand post.

Hallard had another golden opportunity shortly afterwards as Bridges continued to create chances, but the crucial fourth goal would not come.

And, as has so often been the case in football, failing to put the game beyond doubt eventually came back to haunt the hosts.

With 79 minutes played, a header from Igozouln towards Dryer eventually resulted in the latter blasting a finish past Roberts to reduce the deficit to 3-2.

The goal completely changed the momentum of the game and, just three minutes later, Leatherhead completed the comeback.

The same Dryer found himself at the back post following a well-worked set piece and smashed the ball beyond Roberts to make it 3-3.

Having dominated for much of the evening and created numerous opportunities to put the game beyond Leatherhead, Bridges were suddenly facing the possibility of leaving Jubilee Field with nothing more than a single point.

Yet the final word could still have belonged to the hosts.

In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Noel Leighton beat his defender before finding Kevin Rivera inside the box. Rivera showed great awareness to make the extra pass to Velvick, whose effort was blocked by a last-ditch tackle from a Leatherhead defender.

Handball appeals immediately rang around Jubilee Field, with the vast majority of the ground convinced the ball had struck the defender’s hand. The referee, however, waved play on.

The final whistle brought contrasting scenes. While the Leatherhead players and supporters celebrated together, Bridges players were left holding their heads in their hands, wondering how such a dominant performance had not been converted into three much-needed points.

Despite the disappointment, there were plenty of positives for a young Three Bridges side. The performance demonstrated the quality and attacking threat within the squad and showed that, when everything clicks, Bridges are capable of outplaying anyone in the division.

Player of the Match

Hayden Velvick

Once again, the energetic winger set the standard for Bridges, leaving everything on the pitch at both ends of the field.

Velvick was involved throughout the contest, making numerous interceptions defensively while constantly providing a dangerous threat going forward. His outstanding performance also included a remarkable 12.5km covered during the match.

It was an unanimous choice among Bridges officials and supporters alike for the Player of the Match

Three Bridges Starting Line-up

Roberts, Ferreira, Irving, Bull, J. Hallard, Adeyinka, Bennett (Wifa 90′), Rivera, R. Hallard (Villavicencio 69′), Velvick, Leighton (C).

Next Fixtures

Biggleswade FC v Three Bridges
FA Trophy
Friday 25th September — 19:45

Three Bridges v Worthing
Sussex Cup
Tuesday 6th October  — Jubilee Field

Bridges begin their defence of the Sussex Cup with a home rematch against Worthing, in a repeat of last season’s semi-final.

			Home				Away				Total
			P	W	D	L	P	W	D	L	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
	1	Enfield Town	5	3	0	2	3	3	0	0	8	6	0	2	23	11	+12	18
	2	Welling United	5	5	0	0	3	1	0	2	8	6	0	2	18	9	+9	18
	3	Dartford	3	2	0	1	5	4	0	1	8	6	0	2	13	8	+5	18
	4	Carshalton Athletic	4	3	0	1	5	3	0	2	9	6	0	3	15	13	+2	18
	5	Lewes	4	3	0	1	5	2	1	2	9	5	1	3	14	11	+3	16
	6	Leatherhead	4	1	1	2	5	3	2	0	9	4	3	2	17	15	+2	15
	7	St Albans City	4	3	0	1	4	1	2	1	8	4	2	2	17	13	+4	14
	8	Ramsgate	4	3	0	1	4	1	1	2	8	4	1	3	19	10	+9	13
	9	Dulwich Hamlet	4	3	1	0	3	1	0	2	7	4	1	2	16	9	+7	13
	10	Eastbourne Borough	5	4	0	1	3	0	1	2	8	4	1	3	14	11	+3	13
	11	Chatham Town	4	3	0	1	4	1	0	3	8	4	0	4	16	13	+3	12
	12	Wingate & Finchley	3	1	1	1	5	2	1	2	8	3	2	3	13	18	-5	11
	13	Aveley	5	1	1	3	3	2	0	1	8	3	1	4	16	14	+2	10
	14	Burgess Hill Town	4	2	2	0	3	0	2	1	7	2	4	1	11	9	+2	10
	15	Cray Wanderers	4	2	2	0	3	0	1	2	7	2	3	2	13	11	+2	9
	16	Maldon & Tiptree	4	2	0	2	4	1	0	3	8	3	0	5	12	21	-9	9
	17	Cheshunt	4	1	3	0	5	0	2	3	9	1	5	3	7	12	-5	8
	18	Brentwood Town	4	2	0	2	4	0	0	4	8	2	0	6	13	15	-2	6
	19	AFC Whyteleafe	4	1	2	1	4	0	1	3	8	1	3	4	10	17	-7	6
	20	Whitehawk	4	1	2	1	4	0	0	4	8	1	2	5	9	19	-10	5
	21	Three Bridges	4	1	1	2	5	0	1	4	9	1	2	6	16	28	-12	5
	22	Stanway Rovers	3	0	0	3	5	1	1	3	8	1	1	6	6	21	-15	4