As we arrived, the fog was closing in, it wasn’t anything to do with the weather, just the heat coming off the swimming pools at the nearby posh bungalows. Luckily this cleared during the game. AB Waste were desperate for a referee, I at first refused to do it, but at the 5th time of the home captain wiping my boots and offering las vegas style amounts of cash, I agreed to do one half. With all that sorted, the team was announced:
Bread, Geary, Quiche, Ashley, Mellors, Manq, Jay, Danny, Kirk, Tony, Gallagher
Subs were Scott, Lormor, Daz and Pinnocio.
The decision not to let Lormor back in the team was a controversial one, even more so as he’s the assistant player manager.
Just as I was about to blow the whistle for the start of the game, I was approached by a strange looking gentleman (no it wasn’t manq) who insisted he was a referee and would take charge, nice one I thought, saved me doing it and getting shouted at.
The 1st action of the game saw the home side hit the post, although it wasn’t meant, a free kick lobbed into the area bounced and bounced, and eventually hit the far post, but luckily the ball rebounding to safety. The ball was in the back of the net soon after, although the home side were not pleased to see the pretend referee blow up for a push on one of the Bridge defenders (I couldn’t see which one due to the fog). The Bridge’s first attempt came at a corner, Quiche jumped with a home defender, but the ball rebounded off the said defender and out for another corner. From which, the ball rattled the ball as Tony looked to have pounced for the opening goal.
The opening goal was not far behind though, as Mellors took a throw far down the right, which found it’s way into the area, and with the keeper rampaging out to block off any attempts to get a shot in, Tony stuck out a toe to give the Bridge the lead. What you have just read is a load of bull, as at the time I was scratching my backside and missed what was going on. Anyway, Mellors was on hand soon after to keep the lead at 1-0, with a fine block.
The home side had a succession of corners around the 20 minute mark, and the last of these were to give them the equalizer, the ball being cleared, only to be crossed back in and headed home from the 6 yard area. The bridge were not to be downhearted though, and were soon back in front, Gallagher got in down the left, and his cross was superbly met by Tony to restore the lead. More sexy football soon after made the score 3-1, Kirk played in Gallagher, who played it back to Danny, who fed Manq due to him not having any breakfast before leaving the house, and once all that was completed, Jay hit a left foot effort to make it 3-1.
Just as I was writing down all this, the home side promptly went up and made it 3-2, they got in down the right hand side, before the forward rounded Bread to give the home side reknewed hope.
Danny provided the comedy moment of the game, as he made a brilliant run from the edge of his own area, before falling arse over tit in the centre circle.
Gallagher had the chance just before half time to perhaps but the game out of site, but he fluffed his lines and ball went sailing over.
Half Time 2-3
Clarkson sent an early second half volley wide, whilst I took the time to try and take some pictures from the top of the hill, they came out a big foggy though.
There was some disappointment though early on, as the home side equalized at 3-3, a mad scramble in the area was poked home, however straight from the kick off, the Bridge regained the lead, in a well worked move down the left, between Kirk and Gallagher, Tony was sent through to make it 4-3. This looked to be the end of the scoring, as for long periods the game was mainly a midfield battle with little outbreaks of scoring attempts. A Sub was made in this lull and was Daz for Manq,
Another corner was to prove the Bridge’s downfall, as for the umpteenth time in the game, the home side were to pull level, a free header was pounded into the back of the net, and it looked the Bridge had blown at least 2 points.
Gallagher headed over from a corner, as the Bridge tried to rescue the win, whilst Lormor came on up front, and Scott replaced Geary at right back.
Just as the game was heading for a 4-4 draw, an home defender decided to power home an excellent header into the roof of his own net. There seemed little danger as the ball was played in from the right, and despite not being under pressure, he bent down and headed home, much to the relief of the away players and fans.
The lets pretend referee soon blew after, and the win was hard earned and not achieved with the most of flowing football, but it was a win, another one to keep the Bridge at the top of the table. Kirk was named man of the match for his part in a couple of goals, and some strong runs forward.