If you’re as old as I am, you may remember a TV series called Tales of The Unexpected that was on ITV from about 1979 to 1988. The series showcased short stories by Roald Dahl (and later, other writers), often with sinister and wryly comic undertones and an unexpected twist ending which was very much like yesterday’s game between The Bridge and Romford!

This was a mad game with six goals, two red cards, three yellow cards, a dubious penalty, and an undertone of aggression that threatened to get out of control, although a lot of this was unexpected as up until about the 65th minute, it looked like a relatively easy win for the visitors who by this stage led 3-0.

The Bridge came into the game off the back of a home defeat to Frenford and shuffled the pack a bit with Jack Unwin, Zayshaun Asamoah, and Tom Ranger starting and Connor Hart, Jack Hauser, and Oscar Jones dropping to the bench. Jake Wiggins was also back but more of that later. The Bridge were looking for a solid start after that defeat last time out but they didn’t get it as Romford went close in the first couple of minutes, Luis Shamshoum saving from Kennedy Feyi who probably should have scored, and shortly after a Praise Ogbebor shot deflected off Jack Nolde and found the corner of the net for 1-0.

The Bridge were finding it difficult to get a foothold in the match and more pressure from Boro saw a pass back kicked out by Luis only to fall to Ogbebor who squared a pass to Arnold Mengi who hammered home for 2-0 after just 13 minutes.

Ogbebor was in the action and received a yellow card, as did Kojo Feyi as Romford dominated the play and continued to press. They were guilty of giving the ball away themselves though and Jake Wiggins decent effort was saved by Harry Girling to maintain the visitors advantage before Mechack Asuka had an effort go tamely wide from a Bridge breakaway but Romford were mainly on top and creating the better attempts as half-time approached and the half ended at 0-2.

The second half began in similar fashion as Connor Hart replaced Tom Ranger in The Bridge midfield but soon it was 3-0 after a lovely flowing Romford move and cross was headed home by Kennedy Feyi.

On the touchline, we feared the worst but never expected what would come next. Both sides rang the changes but they worked better for The Bridge than the visitors who suddenly lost their grip on the game which, once again was unexpected, as Jake Wiggins received a second yellow for a rash challenge and a red card followed. The home side were down to ten but Romford were unable to make use of their numerical advantage.

Ollie Jenkins had a couple of attempts, one that slammed against the bar and then suddenly a Bridge corner was cleared back to corner-taker Jack Nolde who crossed to the far post, and an unmarked Connor Hart who headed home.

One goal back and we thought at least the score was a bit more respectable and then suddenly a Jack Nolde free-kick was flicked on by Ollie Jenkins and Connor Hart arrived at the back post to prod home his second goal and suddenly it was 2-3.

At this stage, Romford had lost their way and The Bridge were winning the 50-50s and were unexpectedly on top as they pressed for the third. The home team substitutes were really making a difference but could we get that equaliser? Then suddenly Ollie Jenkins made a fantastic run to the edge of the box and was brought down. It looked outside the box but the decision was a penalty and, remember, there are no pretty little VAR lines at this level so the referee has to give what he sees, and what he saw was a Hullbridge penalty.

Romford used their delaying tactics but it didn’t bother Freddie Moriaty who stepped up and slammed his penalty into the roof of the net and, unbelievably, unexpectedly, incredibly even…it was 3-3!

There was still time for a red card for Kojo Feyi in injury time and a couple of last attempts from both sides to grab the winner but the game came to an end at 3-3. An unexpected but brilliant comeback by The Bridge who will take confidence from this performance into the next game at home to Buckhurst Hill on Saturday and Romford were left furious after being on top for nearly 70 minutes but then somehow lost control. Great fightback boys and as always…

Changed the game when he came into the action and his 2 goals got The Bridge back into the game. A special mention also to Ollie Jenkins who was superb and didn’t stop all night but Connor’s 2 goals shade it in his favour.