Three Bidges through in FA Trophy thanks to late Barbary goal
Chances had been limited at both ends, but some of the football was good and flowing with Brannon O’Neill dominating the midfield and Luke Leppard seemingly everywhere with a non stop performance where he chased and harassed the home players.
With Callum Donaghey and Dean Lovegrove assured at the back, it wasn’t until the 77th minute that Kieran Thorp was seriously troubled as he brilliantly tipped over Leon Lalor Dell’s crisply hit effort from range.
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Hide AdLee Hall saw an early header go over the bar and Steve Smith drove just wide of the far post after being set up by O’Neill, but Smith was a victim of poor officialdom when he was fouled but then cautioned for diving!
A solid challenge by Giani Ashley rebounded to Josh Owen, whose tame effort was easily held by Thorp, and Daryl Siaw was clearly offside when he met Lalor Dell’s free kick. This came just a minute after Lee Hall was shown a yellow card, and it got worse for the Bridges skipper five minutes later when he was shown a straight red for a late challenge.
But it was hardly noticeable that Bridges were a man short and the visitors felt that they should have had a penalty when Hayden Skerry looked to have been fouled as he jinked into the box.
Gayler had a free kick blocked, but it was then his glorious pass that led to that late late winner and plenty of noisy celebrations.
Bridges Man of the Match - Luke Leppard.
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Hide AdA change of fixture for Bridges this Saturday with original opponents Hastings being in F.A.Cup action. Instead Bridges will now be at home to VCD Athletic, who won 4-1 at Whitstable last Saturday to be the initial League leaders.
Saturday 26th September 2020. F.A.Trophy First Qualifying Round
South Park 0 Three Bridges 1 (h-t : 0-0)
Referee : T.Greaves
South Park: C.Bradshaw, T.Pitt, Louis Collins, B.Savage, D.Siaw, A.Breefo, L.Lalor Dell, H.Mark, C.French, J.Owen (N.Bobumurodov, 61), N.Dukali (P.Francis, 71).
Unused Subs. - Liam Collins, L.Exall, J.Okai, A.Mickley.
Booked - Pitt (3), Lalor Dell (20), Siaw (69).
Bridges: K.Thorp, T.Williams, G.Ashley (H.Skerry, 78), L.Hall, D.Lovegrove, C.Gaylor, B.O’Neill, S.Smith, L.Leppard, C.Donaghey, A.Barbary.
Unused Subs. - W.Robinson, J.Wilson, M.Doughty, T.Tolfrey, B.Bacon, H.Docherty.
Booked - O’Neill (22), Smith (27), Hall (68), Leppard (74).
Sent Off - Hall (73).