A Bridge Too Far

Broadbridge Heath took on title contenders Three Bridges on a cold, blustery night at Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre on Tuesday.
Bridges, last beaten in the league back at the beginning of December last year, were quick out of the blocks and took an early lead through George Gaskin. Attacking down the left, a deep cross behind Heaths defence found George Gaskin ghosting in to head past a helpless Jamie Craven.
Heath rallied briefly, Tim Martin shooting over from distance, but rarely threatened Kieran Thorp in the Bridges goal.

An early Broadbridge Heath blow was George Cousins being forced off after 15 minutes with a hamstring injury, replaced by Alex Parsons playing his first game since November, following an ankle injury.

On 17 minutes Heath conceded a free kick just outside the box and Brannon O’Neil duly drilled the ball towards goal beating Craven low down at his near post to double Three Bridges’ lead. It now seemed a long way back for Broadbridge Heath.

The next 15 minutes were evenly matched, with Heath mounting some useful attacks, but were unable to breakdown Bridges’ resolute back four. Another hamstring problem, this time to Three Bridges’ Bradley Peters causing the young fullback to leave the field and the back four being reshuffled. Six minutes later Bridges netted their third goal, Craven and his defence getting in a tangle, gifting Ben Bacon an easy tap in.

Heath started the second half with a little more purpose and were rewarded after 61 minutes when Martin crossed for Shaun Findlay to reduce the deficit, but the three goal cushion was restored 4 minutes later when Bacon fired a great left footed volley past Craven from 12 yards.

The final goal of the game was scored by Tyrone Berry whose low drive went in off the post. Still with almost 20 minutes of the game to go Heath got into their stride and had one or two decent chances, but the game finished 5-1 in Bridges favour and with Horsham YMCA losing at home to Chichester puts them right back in the title race.

Heath travel to Hill Park on Saturday to face 5th placed Saltdean United.

Heath: Craven, Martin, Robinson, Chester, Flack, Bold, Weller (Petersen), Cousins (Parsons), Andrade, Frankland (Humphries), Findlay