We all know that recent times have been tough for The Bridge and results have been causing concern and a trip to Takeley, 5th in the division, and amassing some good results, was not the easiest fixture to have when you’re trying to get your season back on track. Still, you’ve got to start somewhere and our season rebuild has begun as the management team have been proactive in trying to change around The Bridge fortunes with additions/changes to the squad.

This meant that the team lineup showed quite a few changes from recent starting elevens, with Laurence Whymark taking over in goal and Tobias Braney starting up front. Michael Osei has recently returned to the club and was a midfield starter and also returning are the solid Billy Wilis in defence and Owen Bellamy, who started from the bench in this game. Finally, making his debut, was Samuel Adetiba who started on the left side and alternated with Piers Hatcliff who started on the right.

The changes to the lineup seemed to have a good effect on the team as they were the better side for the first forty-five, coping well with the home side's attacks and having the better of the game in midfield, although chances for both sides were at a premium.

The first chance fell to the home side when a free-kick from about 25 yards out went harmlessly over the bar, but it was The Bridge who came closest to opening the scoring when a good run by Freddie Moriaty ended with his shot hitting the angle of the bar and post before keeper Jarvis Monk saved the rebound. As Hullbridge pushed for that opener, Ugonna Emenike chipped an effort just over but the flag went up for offside. The home side were also pushing forward looking for the opening goal and when Connor Clarke lobbed towards goal debutant keeper Laurence Whymark made a decent save to tip the shot over the bar.

Soon after, Takeley were awarded a free kick for a foul out on the left touchline. It looked like a very soft free-kick but the home side capitalised on their good fortune as the ball was swung into the box, somehow evaded The Bridge keeper, and rolled across the line. Nobody seemed sure who the scorer was although Takeley number 5, George Powell, and Bridge number 4 Nnamdi Egole were closest to the ball. To me, it looked like it came off Nnamdi last but anyway, it was 1-0 to the hosts. FWP listed it as unknown although further information appears to credit the goal to Lanre Balogun, who may have got the slightest of touches.

The Bridge hit back from their own free-kick soon after when Piers Hatcliff’s kick found Tobias Braney unmarked in the Takeley box. As the ball dropped, Tobias took it first time and the ball nestled in the corner of the Takeley net for 1-1.

Before the half ended, Jack Mitchell dragged a shot wide and Lanre Balogun had a shot saved by Laurence Whymark low down but The Bridge were the better side in that first forty-five and deserved to be at least level.

Despite the good half from Hullbridge, changes were made for the second half with Jack Hauser replacing Nnamdi Egole and Jack Unwin replacing Samuel Adetiba. This meant a bit of a rejig in formation with Jack Unwin slotting in at right-back and Billy Willis moving over to Centre-Half. Connor Hart moved into midfield and we were ready to go.

The Bridge went close when Piers Hatcliff found Freddie Moriaty, whose cross found Connor Hart but his header was too high and over the bar. As the half progressed, Takeley started to have more of the game, and substitute Jamal Obeng was just over with an effort in the Hullbridge box. Soon after, Jack Mitchell fired over, and then the Takeley pressure finally produced a reward when Lanre Balogun found Jamal Obeng who got in behind The Bridge defence and somehow he poked the ball across goal and Jordan Wescott came in from the left to slot home for 2-1 to Takeley.

So late in the game, this was a massive blow to the visitors who tried to hit back but couldn’t find the equaliser and were gallantly defeated. Just before the final whistle, Tobias Braney had a shot charged down amidst screams for handball but the referee was having none of it, and play went on without the pen awarded.

Takeley took the points and The Bridge left with nothing but it was a decent performance that bodes well for the coming games, the next one being the local derby with Great Wakering. The tweaks to the squad look good and I think we’ve added the experience that was needed so it’s onwards and upwards and as always…