Battling Hullbridge gain big three points at mid-table Ensign

Battling Hullbridge gain big three points at mid-table Ensign

White Ensign 0 – 1 Hullbridge Sports

Saturday 6 December 2025 | at Burroughs Park | Att: 95

Match Report by Scott W [@ScottMHC14] – Non-League & ESL Writer

After a few weeks watching the sixth or seventh-tier of Non-League, it was great to return to a very tight Essex Senior League Premier Division with this local derby between White Ensign and Hullbridge Sports at Burroughs Park. Ensign were looking up at the top ten whereas new co-managers Marc Harrison & Liam Wallace knew they had to get points quickly to help them move away from their current precarious league position in 18th. Hullbridge did state their intent early on in battling for every ball & making it difficult for the hosts to break out of their own half at times.

New recruit Darren Phillips got forward for the visitors on occasion and his header towards goal needed to be gathered by Ensign goalkeeper Dondre Abraham before full-back Jack Molchalski to nip in from two yards out. ‘Bridge winger Kelson McFarlane fired off-target after a good ball in by Jack Unwin. Ensign so nearly took the lead in spectacular fashion as a thunderbolt strike by midfielder Craig Ferguson from 35 yards cannoned back off the underside of the crossbar, and then winger Joshua Colyer following-up was prevented from scoring on the line by Molchalski’s brave defending. There was enough intrigue here to surmise that both sides could find another gear.

Half-Time: Ensign 0 – 0 Hullbridge

The second half began with Ensign showing a little more of pace and vigour. Midfielder Albie Keith did well to burst in at the far post but his low drive was very well thwarted by ‘Bridge custodian Lewis Greene. Midway through the half, a telling point in the match saw centre-back Joseph Atoki try to beat McFarlane to the ball but instead unwittingly caught the ‘Bridge winger’s head and referee Oliver Townsend not only pointed to the penalty spot but rapidly dismissed the Ensign defender. Nathan Best stepped up to take the kick from twelve yards but his effort came back off the left-side post. However, just when Aaron Bloxham’s team may have thought they had evaded a setback, Hullbridge did break the deadlock on 68 minutes. A superb header from the advancing Jack Nolde flew into the right corner of the net, giving Ensign goalkeeper Dondre Abraham no chance of stopping it. To their credit, Ensign kept going in the latter stages though they could not create too much to seriously challenge Greene, and a decent strike by winger Joshua Colyer was on target but lacked the power to beat the Hullbridge glovesman.

Full-Time: White Ensign 0 – 1 Hullbridge Sports

In summary, this was a match built on graft and battling qualities. Hullbridge passed the ball around well without too much in the way of testing the hosts’ backline at times. They made it difficult for Ensign to build momentum and showed nous & good movement to edge to this victory. There wasn’t that much between the sides in my view, although Ensign did not create chances that often which did stifle them. The win does take ‘Bridge up two places to 16th, five points clear of the bottom two.

In terms of stand-out performers, we begin with victors Hullbridge. Forward Nathan Best had a good game, bring team-mates into forward moves as well as getting down the channels to good effect. His head did not drop after his spot-kick came off the left-side post so credit to him. Attacking midfielder Leo Clark is early in his ‘Bridge career though he had a really good game, covering a lot of ground plus being a good conduit between midfield and attack and being a vocal presence to lift the attack-minded players. Centre-back Oliver Jenkins had a good game too, being in a miserly mood to not gift chances to the opposition. Finally, a word for returning ‘Bridge goalkeeper Lewis Greene who made two fine saves which were important in a tight game to thwart Ensign in a good spell for the hosts.

For Ensign, central midfielder Craig Ferguson put in a good shift and contributed well in the good passing moves in his area of the pitch. His superb thunderbolt of a strike would have made a fine goal, but for the goal frame. Centre forward Riley Weir put in a hard-working performance despite not getting that much service and kept battling to keep the visiting defence alert. Centre-back Reece Latimer had a good game too, showing good positioning and organised the backline well. Lastly, a word for skipper Albie Keith who has a big heart and his movement and keenness to drive forward is an asset for his team. He is an important player in this current Ensign team.
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Teams

White Ensign | Manager: Aaron Bloxham | Assistants: Enrico Tiritera & Kurt Smith | Physio: Maisie Gutteridge

Starting XI (Subs) : 1 Dondre Abraham (GK), 2 Ben Sargent (15 Henry Hart 75’), 3 Daniel Monk (14 George Godfrey 77’), 4 Joseph Atoki, 5 Reece Latimer, 7 Evernage Nyahunda, 6 Albie Keith (Capt), 8 Craig Ferguson (16 Daniel Guy 74’), 9 Riley Weir (10 Emmanuel Sergio 79’), 17 Kieran James, 11 Joshua Colyer (18 Reece McGovern 84’)

Sent Off Atoki [67’] | Subs Not Used: None

Hullbridge Sports | New Co-Managers: Marc Harrison & Liam Wallace | Assistants: Sammy Ayres & Hayden Thwaites | Physio: Michael Barrett

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Lewis Greene (GK), 2 Jack Unwin (14 Jack Nolde 37’), 3 Jack Mochalski, 19 Darren Phillips (Capt) , 6 Oliver Jenkins, 8 Oscar Jones , 4 Jack Hauser (15 Billy Knott 58’) 7 Kelson McFarlane (17 George Briton-Watkins 86’), 9 Ellis Devereux (12 Palvy Manduakila 90’+4), 10 Leo Clark, 11 Nathan Best
Goal-scorer: Jack Nolde [68’]

Booked: McFarlane | Sin-binned: Phillips [90’] | Subs Not Used: Ayres

Referee: Oliver Townsend
Assistant Referees: Robert Collins & Joe Lannon