Three Bridges pick up excellent win at Chipstead

Harry Docherty drove just wide within four minutes of the kick off, and although Kieron Thorp had to hold onto a low effort from Raheem Sterling-Parker, it was Bridges who looked more threatening.

A goal duly arrived after 17 minutes with a burst by Alex Barbary leading to a loose ball that was intercepted superbly by BRANNON O’NEILL, who drove on and drilled the ball beyond Ollie Pain.

Barbary had a header pushed away as Bridges continued to press, so it was something of a shock when Chipstead levelled in the 31st minute. An excellent crossfield ball found left back Karen Miller-Neave, who did well to bring it under control before crossing to the far post for STERLING-PARKER to head home unmarked at the far post.

Tom Tolfrey was unlucky not to restore Bridges’ lead immediately, first with a blocked shot and then with a nice turn that led to the first of four consecutive corners.

Callum Donaghey looked favourite to meet one of these, but in the 36th minute O’Neill’s delivery to the far post was met by the head of DEAN LOVEGROVE, who was one of many that could so easily have been Man of the Match.

O’Neill, another candidate, set up the tireless Tolfrey for another effort that was blocked, but straight away Thorp was forced to edge away a cross shot from Sterling-Parker. The two full backs for the home side, Miller-Neave and Marco Correia, showed threatening moments, but Steve Smith and Donaghey were again immense in the heart of the visiting defence.

And it was Bridges who came closest to another goal as the game moved into added time. Lee Hall set up Ben Bacon for a shot that was palmed away by Pain, the follow up from Tolfrey than being bravely blocked by Chipstead skipper Chris Boulter. And there was even time for Donaghey to head just over before the team loudly celebrated their victory.

Bridges Man of the Match - Steve Smith.

Chipstead : O.Pain, M.Correia, K.Miller-Neave, C.Boulter, M.S.Stewart, J.Grant (C.McAllister, 62), J.Beadle (J.Dickson, 62), S.Cripps, T.Collins, D.Moody, R.Sterling-Parker.

Unused Subs. - L.Miller, A.Morgan, G.Membrilera.

Bridges: K.Thorp, T.Williams, D.Lovegrove, C.Gayler, B.O’Neill, S.Smith, H.Docherty (L.Hall, 58), J.Wilson (B.Bacon, 77), C.Donaghey, A.Barbary, T.Tolfrey.

Unused Subs. - G.Ashley, J.Stone, H.Skerry, T.McFarlane, K.Woolven.

Booked - Gayler (47), Lovegrove (78).