Bridges Breeze Past Hassocks to Close in on Historic Promotion

Three Bridges took a significant step towards promotion from the Isthmian South-East League with a commanding 4–0 victory over Hassocks on Easter Monday, moving to within two points of a historic title triumph.

Starting the day top of the table, Jamie Crellin’s side were well aware that 19th-placed Hassocks—battling for survival—would provide stern opposition. In bright Bank Holiday sunshine, and with a lively home crowd in attendance, it was the visitors who began on the front foot. Hassocks applied early pressure and came close in the 12th minute when a deflected effort looped narrowly over Sam Roberts’ crossbar.

Bridges gradually grew into the contest and began to assert control. Charlie Bennett went close in the 22nd minute when played through on goal but hesitated at the crucial moment. However, he made amends eight minutes later. A superb delivery from Hayden Velvick found Bennett, who guided a perfectly placed header beyond Shaw from 12 yards to give Bridges a deserved 1–0 lead.

The hosts carried that advantage into the break but knew a second goal would be key to settling any nerves. It arrived shortly after the restart, with captain Leighton finishing from close range after a low cross from Bennett. The striker’s effort marked his 30th league goal of the season and his 98th in a Three Bridges shirt.

Bridges extended their lead in somewhat controversial fashion in the 56th minute. Kevin Rivera’s follow-up effort, after his initial shot had been blocked, was scrambled at by Shaw, but the assistant referee signalled that the ball had crossed the line, awarding Bridges a third.

The fourth—and final—goal arrived just five minutes later and was the pick of the afternoon. Ade Adeyinka unleashed a stunning strike from 23 yards that flew into the top corner, capping an excellent team performance. His composed celebration contrasted with the jubilant scenes among the home support as Bridges moved ever closer to promotion.

With the result effectively secured, Bridges controlled the remainder of the match professionally, conserving energy while seeing out a comfortable victory.

The win leaves Three Bridges eight points clear at the top of the Isthmian South-East League with three matches remaining. Attention now turns to a crucial away fixture against AFC Whyteleafe on Saturday 11 April, where victory would seal the title and promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division for the first time in the club’s 125-year history.

			Home				Away				Total
			P	W	D	L	P	W	D	L	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
	1	Three Bridges	20	17	2	1	19	12	2	5	39	29	4	6	117	39	+78	91
	2	AFC Croydon Athletic	20	13	2	5	19	13	3	3	39	26	5	8	90	50	+40	83
	3	AFC Whyteleafe	19	12	3	4	20	12	4	4	39	24	7	8	104	40	+64	79
	4	Jersey Bulls	20	13	5	2	19	8	7	4	39	21	12	6	76	35	+41	75
	5	Sittingbourne	20	12	6	2	19	9	4	6	39	21	10	8	78	47	+31	73
	6	Faversham Town	20	10	6	4	19	9	6	4	39	19	12	8	80	54	+26	69
	7	Margate	20	10	2	8	19	9	7	3	39	19	9	11	80	61	+19	66
	8	Deal Town	20	11	3	6	19	8	3	8	39	19	6	14	85	63	+22	63
	9	Ashford United	19	9	5	5	20	9	2	9	39	18	7	14	84	61	+23	61
	10	Merstham	19	7	5	7	20	9	4	7	39	16	9	14	63	56	+7	57
	11	Eastbourne Town	20	10	4	6	19	5	3	11	39	15	7	17	57	73	-16	52
	12	Broadbridge Heath	19	9	1	9	20	6	4	10	39	15	5	19	77	83	-6	50
	13	Sevenoaks Town	20	9	2	9	19	6	3	10	39	15	5	19	62	75	-13	50
	14	Herne Bay	19	6	5	8	20	8	3	9	39	14	8	17	59	72	-13	50
	15	Crowborough Athletic	19	8	3	8	20	6	4	10	39	14	7	18	55	77	-22	49
	16	Sheppey United	19	7	4	8	20	5	3	12	39	12	7	20	59	85	-26	43
	17	Hastings United	20	6	4	10	19	6	2	11	39	12	6	21	50	64	-14	42
	18	Erith Town (-1)	20	4	7	9	19	6	5	8	39	10	12	17	61	77	-16	41
	19	Hassocks	19	6	3	10	20	4	5	11	39	10	8	21	48	73	-25	38
	20	VCD Athletic	19	5	4	10	20	3	4	13	39	8	8	23	53	91	-38	32
	21	Beckenham Town	19	4	5	10	20	3	6	11	39	7	11	21	50	90	-40	32
	R	East Grinstead Town	19	0	3	16	20	1	0	19	39	1	3	35	27	149	-122	6