Three Bridges boss Martin Dynan signs new quartet

Three Bridges have made four new signings as they try to lift themselves away from the lower reaches of the Bostik League South East table.
Hastings United (all white kit) v Three Bridges (all blue kit) football action - Hastings celebrate their first goal SUS-180411-210857002Hastings United (all white kit) v Three Bridges (all blue kit) football action - Hastings celebrate their first goal SUS-180411-210857002
Hastings United (all white kit) v Three Bridges (all blue kit) football action - Hastings celebrate their first goal SUS-180411-210857002

They lost 2-1 away to second-placed Hastings United on Saturday.

Bridges have signed central midfielder O’Neill from Whitehawk, Olu Oluwatimilehin from Kingstonian, Ibby Akanbi from Farnborough plus Hayes & Yeading ‘keeper James Shaw.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dynan praised: “They bring experience, much-needed quality and the fitness we’ve missed. We’re still looking to strengthen.”

Hastings United (all white kit - Lanre Azeez) v Three Bridges (all blue kit) football action SUS-180411-210928002Hastings United (all white kit - Lanre Azeez) v Three Bridges (all blue kit) football action SUS-180411-210928002
Hastings United (all white kit - Lanre Azeez) v Three Bridges (all blue kit) football action SUS-180411-210928002

Bridges will be without a game this Saturday as they were due to play London club Thamesmead Town, who have folded. Instead they plan to hold a training session.”

Newcomer Brannon O’Neill scored an eighth minute equaliser.

Proud boss Martin Dynan said: “I thought we were more than a match for Hastings, a club with a massive budget. We were unlucky not to go in at half-time with the lead and again unlucky not to have a point. I can’t blame the referee for the result but again we’ve been on the wrong end of some bad decisions.

Another disappointing defeat but Bridges were worthy of more against a side riding high in second place in the league table.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hastings were casting envious glances at Joe Tennent and Antone Douglas, who were both excellent in the heart of Bridges’ backline.

New goalkeeper James Shaw soon realised that the home attack might be useful as the dangerous Hassan Ibrahiym crossed and Daniel Ajakaiye’s near post header landed safely in Shaw’s arms.

Jensen Grant then missed a golden opportunity for Bridges from Liam Collins’ cross before Hastings took a fourth minute lead thanks to trickery by Youssouf Bamber which finished with a nice low shot.

But Bridges were level within five minutes when Ibby Akanbi found, not for the first or last time, plenty of room on the left and crossed for Brannon O’Neill to back heel and net off the post.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Olumide Oluwatimilehin then had a decent drive held by Charlie Horlock, while Akanbi screwed two efforts wide as he broke through and Omar Folkes saw a great drive somehow scrambled away by a nervous home defence.

The second half began with Oluwatimilehin intercepting but hitting his shot too quickly and too high, and Bridges were made to pay for their profligacy as after 55 minutes there was almost a repeat of United’s opening goal with Bamber again jinking into the box to net his second.

Shaw made an excellent block to prevent Ajakaiye from adding to the score, but Bridges were creating chances of their own, O’Neill being just wide as Akanbi played the ball back to him, Lee Hall firing just over and Folkes having four opportunities to at least test Horlock.

Shaw pushed away a good effort from Lanre Azeez before the game went into added-time and Lee Hall saw red for a second bookable offence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The game fizzled out and Bridges were left with a distinct feeling that a golden opportunity had passed them by.

Bridges: Shaw, Simpson, Hall, Oluwatimilehin (Doughty, 70), Collins, Grant, O’Neill, Akanbi, Folkes, Douglas, Tennent. Unused subs: Peters, Glloga.

Attendance: 479

Bridges have signed central midfielder O’Neill from Whitehawk, Olu Oluwatimilehin from Kingstonian, Ibby Akanbi from Farnborough plus Hayes & Yeading ‘keeper James Shaw.

Dynan praised: “They bring experience, much-needed quality and the fitness we’ve missed. We’re still looking to strengthen.”

Bridges will be without a game this Saturday as they were due to play London club Thamesmead Town, who have folded. Instead they plan to hold a training session.