A bizarre draw in the Vase sent The Bridge to Potton United for the second season in a row but that is where the similarity ends as both teams were much changed from last season and their form is completely different too. The 3-1 win for The Bridge in the Vase First Round in 23/24 was not a guide to what was about to happen in this fixture as just four players remained from that fixture, Michael Osei returning for The Bridge and Shane Fox and Jack Thomas starting for Potton, along with Harry Forde, a 96th-minute substitute in that 3-1 win for Hullbridge.

Form-wise, the Potton side that finished 9th last season was in a much better place this time and occupied 2nd in their division whilst for the 2nd season running a rebuilt Bridge squad was going through a bit of an up and down phase and we weren’t quite sure what we were going to get in this one.

Potton, with confidence flowing from that good start to the season, began the game well and were on top early on as they pressured the Hullbridge goal and there was an early warning for the visitors when Luis Shamshoum made a double save before The Bridge cleared the danger. It was good to see Michael Osei back at the club and putting in his usual midfield shift and that allowed Connor Hart to start in the back four alongside Ollie Jenkins and the full-backs, with Connor looking comfortable in his new role. The Bridge were not looking quite so comfortable though as the home side continued to control the game and Jordan Brown, who has been knocking in the goals regularly, went close with a header from a Shane Fox cross before Jack Unwin cleared.

At the other end, Jack Nolde’s corner was deflected for another one and Jake Wiggins took a short corner that was crossed by Nolde and Nnamdi Egole was just off-target with a header. Most of the play though was still directed at the Hullbridge goal and Jordan Brown had another header cleared and then a shot deflected by The Bridge back-line.

This pressure was likely to take its toll and around the 20-minute mark a trip in the box on, I think, Eddie Connolly saw a penalty awarded to Potton. It looked soft from where I was sitting but that was quite a way away and, more importantly, the ref thought it was a pen so it was. Jordan Brown slotted it home and it was 1-0 to Potton.

Although Potton were looking the more attacking of the two sides, The Bridge were holding their own until a second Potton goal in the 33rd minute gave the home side some breathing space. Eddie Connolly finished a cross by Toluwalope Ikuyinminu and suddenly it was a long way back for The Bridge. In the stand, the feeling was “If we get the next goal, we’re still in it” and, despite a couple of shots over the bar by the impressive Ikuyinminu and a good run by Connolly ending with a shot over the bar from the equally impressive Jordan Brown, The Bridge did get the next goal and were back in it as the half ended 2-1.

Charlie Clark had an eventful couple of minutes, receiving a yellow card and then getting the last touch to a Jake Wiggins free-kick that saw him register the OG after an initial headed flick-on in the home team box. So, 45 gone and all to play for…

General consensus of opinion at half time was that The Bridge were back in the game and could get something from it and Jack Nolde tried to prove us right with a good run that ended with his shot going wide. The next goal was going to be crucial and it probably decided the match in Potton’s favour. I can't tell you much about it as it was one of those football moments when you are in discussion while you wait for the next bit of action and then you’ve missed the next bit of action! I know it was from a free kick and it was scored by Toluwalope Ikuyinminu but that’s all I know!

3-1 down and staring cup exit in the face, a second Bridge goal might still have given us hope and there were chances as Ugonna Emenike put Nnmadi Egole in and as it opened up and we waited for the second Hullbridge goal, a defender got a block in and the chance was gone. Jake Wiggins’ corner then found the head of Connor Hart but the header went wide. Piers Hatcliff then had a shot blocked, Jake Wiggins had a long-range effort saved, and a through ball by Oscar Jones to Freddie Moriaty saw Freddie’s attempt saved by keeper James Hoskins. Meanwhile, at the other end, Charlie Clark was off target with a shot and there was a big goalmouth scramble before Luis Shamshoum made a good save.

The Bridge just couldn't get that elusive goal back and the final nail was hammered home on 80 minutes when a cross by Rakccm Kamara was headed onto the post and as it came out Jordan Brown pounced to make it 4-1 and game over. There just remained a couple of half chances at both ends and that was it as Potton marched on and The Bridge went out of the Vase for 24/25.

Congratulations to Potton who deserved the win on the day and look a decent outfit this season. For The Bridge, it’s concentrate on the league time, and as always…


Good to see Michael back and playing at his usual high standard. Worked hard all day but no surprise there and a deserving winner of the JH Carpets award. Welcome back, mate!