It’s nice to win, smiling faces in the bar and bubbly chat after the final whistle. A win and three points make a very big difference. These vital three points certainly did and took The Bridge five points clear of the improving Sawbridgeworth and eight points clear of the also improving Stansted (with one game in hand) and the dreaded green line. I guess you enjoy games more when you win, but I did really enjoy this one. Two well-matched teams going at it in the fine match long drizzle under the Lower Road lights… what's not to like? Well, maybe the drizzle!

A nice surprise in the Hullbridge line-up was Tobias Braney, back with The Bridge after departing when his early season loan was up. With no disrespect to the guys who have played there, Tobias is a ‘proper decent’ number nine, and he showed it in this game, holding the ball up and linking the play in an excellent performance back in the Blue & White.

As for the match, the visitors had the ball in the net when George Frodsham put it there, but the offside flag went up, and the scoresheet remained untroubled, as it did when Dean Ager and Piers Hatcliff had efforts go wide. Jack Hausers’ shot was saved by goalkeeping captain Jack Cherry before Owen Betts’ shot went wide, as did a lobbed effort from Piers Hatcliff.

Halstead began to apply more pressure with a cross from Joel Older going over the bar and Dom Alexandru saving from ex-Bridge man George Frodsham. The visitors were given a corner that didn't appear to be one, and from the corner, Alfie Cleal’s header was cleared off the line by Callum Knowlden. Callum was soon back in action with a tackle on George Frodsham, unfortunately, it was in the box, and the referee awarded the penalty with different opinions as to whether it was or not. Joel Older, who has scored five in the last six games, including two pens, stepped up and chipped the ball down the middle but high and over the bar.

Tobias Braney then had a chance saved by Cherry, and then a cross into the box found the head of captain Connor Hart, who nodded home for 1-0. Braney had another shot saved by keeper Cherry, and Beau Macdonald’s attempt went high over the bar before Halstead mounted some attacks themselves, and suddenly, George Frodsham was through in space and supplied a short pass to Joel Older who, redeemed himself after the penalty miss and made it 1-1. Just before half-time, the visitors had a couple of shots blocked by The Bridge defence, and the half finished one apiece.

As we began the second half, stood next to me was somebody who has been around the Hullbridge scene longer than most, and she commented, “I hope we don’t have one of those spells where we, you know, go off the boil”. Well, it was exactly the opposite as began The Piers Hatcliff Show. First, Tobias Braney found himself through and one-on-one with keeper Cherry, whom he rounded before slipping a pass to Piers, who duly obliged. Just four minutes later, Connor Hart picked out Piers, who finished superbly, and The Bridge were suddenly 3-1 up.

The Humbugs tried to fight back, nobody more than Matt Travell, who had a shot saved by Dom Alexandru and then headed wide from a Halstead free-kick. Piers went for the hat-trick, but his shot was too high, and Kayne Roberts’ shot went wide after a good ball from Beau Macdonald. Still, Halstead tried, and Dean Ager was thwarted by Dom again. We just need to keep it 3-1 for another 10 minutes, I thought out loud, but alas, on 77 minutes, The Bridge failed to clear an attack, and substitute James Eveleigh stroked home for 3-2.

With still some time to go, it was nerve-rattling time as both teams went for it. Tobias Braney and Danny Hurford had shots blocked whilst there was a scramble in the Hullbridge box that finished with a shot over the bar from George Frodsham. By now, all ten subs were on, and Halstead were going for the equaliser, but all that remained were a James Eveleigh shot that went well wide and a Luke Burgess shot over the bar. Darnell Williams’ shot was saved by Jack Cherry, and finally, that was it, and The Bridge had the three vital points.

We know it’s not over yet, but The Bridge are now on a decent run and should have enough to stay above the green line, and there’s a massive game against Sawbo coming up. Still, dear reader, keep the faith because, as always…



In an up-and-down season, Piers has been a major highlight and is always close to the MOM award. His goal-scoring performance in this game, not to mention his all-round effort, earns him another one. Nods of approval also to the returning Tobias Braney and a superb second half from Connor Hart but there were many good displays in the Blue & White tonight. They couldn’t stop Piers, though, even by treading on him!