Champions Celebrate in Style on Historic Day at Jubilee Field

Three Bridges 3–3 AFC Croydon Athletic

Football played its part, but this was a day that will live long in the memory as Three Bridges were crowned Isthmian South East League champions on home soil, following a thrilling 3–3 draw against second-placed AFC Croydon Athletic at Jubilee Field.

Manager Jamie Crellin named an unchanged side, underlining his intent to finish the season strongly despite the title already being secured—and his players responded with a performance full of quality, energy, and attacking intent.

It was the visitors who struck first in the 11th minute, as Luke Dreher capitalised on a loose ball in the Bridges box following a corner to give Croydon the lead. The response was immediate and emphatic. Just two minutes later, Hayden Velvick produced a moment of class, delivering a pinpoint ball for Kevin Rivera to calmly restore parity at 1–1.

With momentum firmly on their side, Bridges began to dictate proceedings. Their pressure paid off in the 41st minute when Charlie Bennett notched his 23rd league goal of the season, arriving at the back post to convert another excellent Velvick delivery. Moments later, the hosts struck again—this time from a cleverly worked corner routine finished by Reece Hallard in the 45th minute—sending Bridges into the break 3–1 ahead after a scintillating first-half display.

Croydon emerged after the restart with renewed purpose and reduced the deficit in the 54th minute when Harvey Cadwell converted from the penalty spot. The visitors enjoyed more of the ball as the half progressed, but Bridges remained a constant threat on the counterattack. Noel Leighton came agonisingly close to a personal milestone, denied on multiple occasions as he searched for his 100th goal in a Bridges shirt.

As the match edged into stoppage time, Croydon found a late equaliser through Nia Kirby, whose long-range effort in the 96th minute ensured the points were shared in what had been a thoroughly entertaining contest.

Yet, the final whistle signalled the start of something far greater than the result. In front of a season-high crowd of 611, Jubilee Field became the stage for unforgettable celebrations as players and staff were presented with their champions medals. Club captain Harvey Woollard then lifted the Isthmian South East League trophy to rapturous applause, sparking scenes of pure joy as supporters flooded the pitch to celebrate with their heroes.

The festivities continued long into the evening at the clubhouse, marking a historic achievement for this exceptional Bridges side—one that has etched its name into the club’s history.

			Home				Away				Total
			P	W	D	L	P	W	D	L	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
	C	Three Bridges	21	17	3	1	20	13	2	5	41	30	5	6	122	42	+80	95
	2	AFC Croydon Athletic	20	13	2	5	21	13	4	4	41	26	6	9	94	56	+38	84
	3	AFC Whyteleafe	21	13	3	5	20	12	4	4	41	25	7	9	107	44	+63	82
	4	Jersey Bulls	20	13	5	2	21	10	7	4	41	23	12	6	78	35	+43	81
	5	Sittingbourne	20	12	6	2	21	10	4	7	41	22	10	9	81	50	+31	76
	6	Faversham Town	20	10	6	4	21	10	7	4	41	20	13	8	84	56	+28	73
	7	Margate	21	11	2	8	20	10	7	3	41	21	9	11	84	62	+22	72
	8	Deal Town	21	11	3	7	20	9	3	8	41	20	6	15	89	65	+24	66
	9	Ashford United	20	10	5	5	21	9	2	10	41	19	7	15	89	65	+24	64
	10	Merstham	21	8	5	8	20	9	4	7	41	17	9	15	71	60	+11	60
	11	Eastbourne Town	20	10	4	6	21	6	3	12	41	16	7	18	61	75	-14	55
	12	Sevenoaks Town	21	9	3	9	20	7	3	10	41	16	6	19	70	78	-8	54
	13	Herne Bay	20	7	5	8	21	8	4	9	41	15	9	17	61	73	-12	54
	14	Crowborough Athletic	20	8	3	9	21	7	4	10	41	15	7	19	58	82	-24	52
	15	Broadbridge Heath	21	9	1	11	20	6	4	10	41	15	5	21	80	89	-9	50
	16	Hastings United	21	6	5	10	20	7	2	11	41	13	7	21	55	67	-12	46
	17	Erith Town (-1)	20	4	7	9	21	7	5	9	41	11	12	18	64	81	-17	44
	18	Sheppey United	21	7	4	10	20	5	3	12	41	12	7	22	61	93	-32	43
	19	Hassocks	21	7	3	11	20	4	5	11	41	11	8	22	51	76	-25	41
	R	Beckenham Town	20	4	5	11	21	4	6	11	41	8	11	22	52	92	-40	35
	R	VCD Athletic	21	5	4	12	20	3	4	13	41	8	8	25	54	96	-42	32
	R	East Grinstead Town	20	0	3	17	21	1	0	20	41	1	3	37	29	158	-129	6