Brotherton inspires Three Bridges to easy win

A welcome win for Bridges after six consecutive League defeats, the last four without a goal too, and it proved to be very comfortable by the final whistle. After an opening where both sides were getting used to a sticky pitch, Bridges took a 17th minute lead through one of their unsung heroes.

Matt Daniel dispossessed a Hythe attacker and strode forward, exchanged a pass with the excellent Allan Tait, and then placed his shot inside Joe Mant’s near post.

Hakeem Adelakun then had a good drive saved, but the first half became more a story of the referee showing yellow cards to all and sundry, most of them for what seemed to be very innocuous challenges.

The worst came after only two minutes when Hythe captain James Morrish became the first of five bookings in their team for a nasty challenge on Daniel, but after that referee Ben Knight was too quick to flash cards for little reason.

On the stroke of half-time, both John Lansdale (another hero in the Bridges midfield) and Tait caused havoc in the Hythe defence with Tait eventually being chopped down by Ryan Johnson. Jamie Brotherton took the opportunity to celebrate his debut by netting the resulting penalty.

Bridges had no fewer than five players with almost 150 appearances between them this season watching from the sidelines because of injury or suspension, but they continued to attack remorsely. Craig Cloke headed just over in a rare Hythe move, but after 59 minutes Brotherton’s long ball wasn’t dealt with by the visiting defence, and Adelakun pounced to score with a delightful chip over Mant.

Hythe’s spirits were down by this stage, and they couldn’t get past another imperious performance by Jamie Crellin, who was ably supported in the back four by Drew Cooney, Nigel Brake and Daniel.

There were welcome returns too for Jon Dollery and Abu Touray, while Kieron Thorp didn’t really have a shot worthy of note to save, and the players’ Christmas party was certain to be one to enjoy!

Bridges : K.Thorp; D.Cooney; M.Daniel; S.Sargent (M.Pulling, 69); N.Brake; J.Crellin; J.Dollery (A.Touray, 60); J.Lansdale; H.Adelakun; A.Tait (M.Casselman, 85); J.Brotherton.

Attendance: 77

Aerotron man of the Match: Jamie Brotherton

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