Hallard’s 95th-Minute Heroics Secure Huge Win for Bridges

With eight matches remaining in the Isthmian League South East Division and an eight-point advantage over second-placed AFC Croydon Athletic, every game now carries the intensity of a cup final for Three Bridges FC as they pursue the biggest achievement in their 125-year history. Yesterday’s dramatic 95th-minute winner against Sevenoaks Town at Jubilee Field could prove to be one of the defining moments of the season.

Bridges began the game playing their customary slick passing football. With Noel Leighton suspended, manager Jamie Crellin opted to deploy Hayden Velvick in a central number ten role rather than his usual position on the wing, allowing greater interchange among the attacking players.

That tactical tweak paid dividends early. In the 10th minute Sam Bull slipped a clever ball into Reece Hallard, whose intelligent dummy allowed Velvick to burst beyond the Sevenoaks defence. The midfielder kept his composure to apply a clinical finish and give Bridges a deserved 1–0 lead.

The hosts thought they had doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute when Charlie Bennett bundled the ball over the line, but despite the effort appearing to cross by more than two yards, neither the referee nor the assistant awarded the goal.

Sevenoaks threatened before the break, and in the 42nd minute Sam Roberts produced a crucial intervention. Mfula raced through on goal, but the young Bridges goalkeeper made himself big and produced an outstanding save to preserve the lead. A strong penalty appeal from Bennett was also waved away shortly before the interval, leaving Bridges with a narrow 1–0 advantage at half-time.

The visitors began the second half strongly, with both Mfula and Aibangbee forcing last-ditch defensive work from Bull and captain Neathey. Bridges struggled to create clear opportunities after the restart, while Sevenoaks grew in confidence as the half progressed.

The equaliser arrived in the 81st minute and had been threatening for some time. Aibangbee, Sevenoaks’ standout performer throughout, beat Dan Ferreira before being brought down inside the penalty area. The forward stepped up himself and confidently dispatched the spot kick to level the contest at 1–1.

With momentum now on their side, Sevenoaks pushed for a late winner and came agonisingly close in the 89th minute when Duncanson blazed over from just two yards out.

Just as it appeared that Bridges would drop valuable points in the title race, a moment of brilliance arrived deep into stoppage time. In the 95th minute the tireless Ade Adeyinka won possession in midfield and fed Reece Hallard some 25 yards from goal. The forward slalomed past three defenders, rounded Perrin in the Sevenoaks goal and calmly finished from a tight angle, sparking jubilant scenes among the Jubilee Field crowd.

The 2–1 victory secures another vital three points and moves Bridges a step closer to their ultimate objective. In a season already packed with memorable moments, this dramatic winner may yet prove to be the one supporters remember most.

Bridges remain eight points clear at the top of the table with 84 points from 35 matches, with just seven games left to play.

Attention now briefly turns away from league action as Bridges face a major test on Tuesday evening against Worthing FC in the semi-final of the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup, taking place at Culver Road Stadium in Lancing. What would be the highlight of most seasons for the club almost feels like a free hit against strong opposition and a welcome pause from the relentless league campaign.

League duties resume next Saturday with a long trip to face Margate FC.

			Home				Away				Total
			P	W	D	L	P	W	D	L	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
	1	Three Bridges	18	16	1	1	17	11	2	4	35	27	3	5	110	35	+75	84
	2	AFC Croydon Athletic	18	13	1	4	17	11	3	3	35	24	4	7	83	48	+35	76
	3	AFC Whyteleafe	18	12	3	3	17	10	3	4	35	22	6	7	93	36	+57	72
	4	Sittingbourne	17	11	5	1	17	7	4	6	34	18	9	7	69	42	+27	63
	5	Jersey Bulls	17	10	5	2	18	7	7	4	35	17	12	6	61	34	+27	63
	6	Faversham Town	17	9	5	3	17	8	6	3	34	17	11	6	72	47	+25	62
	7	Deal Town	17	10	2	5	18	8	2	8	35	18	4	13	76	57	+19	58
	8	Margate	17	8	2	7	17	7	7	3	34	15	9	10	72	60	+12	54
	9	Merstham	18	7	4	7	17	8	3	6	35	15	7	13	56	52	+4	52
	10	Ashford United	18	8	5	5	16	7	0	9	34	15	5	14	79	59	+20	50
	11	Herne Bay	18	6	5	7	16	7	3	6	34	13	8	13	53	60	-7	47
	12	Crowborough Athletic	17	7	3	7	17	6	3	8	34	13	6	15	51	65	-14	45
	13	Sevenoaks Town	17	7	2	8	18	6	3	9	35	13	5	17	54	69	-15	44
	14	Broadbridge Heath	16	8	1	7	18	5	3	10	34	13	4	17	68	72	-4	43
	15	Sheppey United	17	7	4	6	18	5	3	10	35	12	7	16	57	71	-14	43
	16	Eastbourne Town	18	8	4	6	17	4	3	10	35	12	7	16	46	70	-24	43
	17	Hastings United	18	5	4	9	17	6	2	9	35	11	6	18	47	58	-11	39
	18	Erith Town (-1)	16	3	6	7	17	5	5	7	33	8	11	14	49	64	-15	34
	19	Hassocks	17	4	3	10	17	3	5	9	34	7	8	19	38	61	-23	29
	20	VCD Athletic	18	5	4	9	16	2	3	11	34	7	7	20	47	80	-33	28
	21	Beckenham Town	15	3	4	8	18	2	5	11	33	5	9	19	43	77	-34	24
	R	East Grinstead Town	16	0	2	14	18	1	0	17	34	1	2	31	24	131	-107	5