On a day of sunshine and rain at Lower Road, it was also light and shade for The Bridge who got nothing from a game that they were always in and probably should have got something from. Ultimately, goals from the two Harrys, Talbot, and Brown, although sounding like a firm of solicitors, were on the day the goal scorers that made the difference in a hard-fought away win for GWR. Results are still not going the right way for The Bridge but performances are improving and it can only be a matter of time before The Bridge start turning performances into points.

The first part of this game saw The Bridge slightly on top as both sides tried to carve out some clear-cut chances. Early on a diagonal ball to Owen Bellemy was followed by his cross into the box but nobody was on the end of it, while at the other end, Raheem Gray charged down a Laurence Whymark kick but the ball went wide of the goal.

Whymark was back in action soon after with a good save from a GWR free-kick, with the rebound bouncing wide before Tobias Braney made a good run but his shot was too high and over the bar. Both sides had corners and were getting crosses into the box with Jack Dickinson heading wide for GWR before a Braney ball to Bellamy was back-heel crossed to Sam Adetiba whose header was kept out by a combination of save and post.

The game continued with both sides having efforts at goal but not looking like scoring until Harry Talbot broke through a couple of tackles and found himself directly in front of Whymark and he fired home for 1-0. Soon after, a throw into the box found Talbot who crossed to the back post, just evading Billy Willis, and Harry Brown headed home. Suddenly, The Bridge were 2-0 down and most people were wondering how.

The pressure was now on for The Bridge to get back into the game and they did this very quickly when there was a nice interchange between Braney and Adetiba before Braney’s cross was excellently controlled by Owen Bellamy who brought the ball down and turned and fired home. As the half drew to a close, Harrison Topliss had a header at goal blocked amidst shouts for handball and, to be honest, I’ve seen them given but luckily not on this occasion. Bellamy then had a shot blocked, as did Braney who got on the end of a Ugonna Emenike cross, and, finally, Callum Boylan had a shot on target easily saved by Whymark as the half ended 2-1, with The Bridge very much in the game.

The second half began with The Bridge on the offensive and Owen Bellamy’s shot went over the bar before a Hullbridge corner swung in and missed everyone. Michael Osei had a shot on target next but it was too weak and George Martin saved easily before a Ruben Santos corner was headed clear amidst Bridge shouts for a penalty but nothing was given. The Bridge continued to press and a Bellamy cross was headed for a corner that was cleared but only to Tobias Braney who maneuvered a shooting position and fired home the equaliser.

The game now was anyone’s and it was hard to predict a winner and then GWR were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the home penalty area and Harry Talbot’s kick found the bottom corner of the Hullbridge net and GWR were back in front. The entertainment continued and The Bridge fought back and James White brought down Tobias Braney in the GWR box and it was a Bridge penalty. However, Freddie Moriaty’s penalty was slightly too far down the middle and George Martin saved to keep it at 2-3.

Shortly after, Harry Talbot, who was having an eventful day, was deemed to have dived to gain a free-kick and gained a second yellow instead and was red-carded. With 15 minutes plus injury time to go, The Bridge had plenty of time to level the match but, despite the one-man advantage, they couldn’t find the leveller. Probably the best chance fell to Piers Hatcliff who connected well but his shot was straight at keeper Martin. Tobias Braney shot wide and Billy Willis pumped free-kicks into the GWR box but their defence stood firm and when Jack Nolde’s shot from another Willis delivery went over the bar that was it.

An entertaining game that could have gone either way and somehow The Bridge ended with nothing but, against a good opponent, The Bridge had opportunities to at least draw the game and will start to get the points if they continue to perform like this. So, we lose the local derby and travel to Stanway next to meet the league leaders but we travel in hope after two decent performances and, as ever…

Back after long-term injury, this was a solid defensive performance from Callum who won every header, put in some good defensive tackles, and put in a good performance after such a long time out, well played mate.