Frenetic scramble sees Sawbo take a point at Hullbridge

Frenetic scramble sees Sawbo take a point at Hullbridge

Hullbridge Sports 3 – 3 Sawbridgeworth Town

Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]

The weekend foray into Non-League was the battling match with three precious points on offer for both teams as Hullbridge Sports welcomed Sawbridgeworth Town in the Essex Senior. Pre-match, ‘Bridge were two places & two points above Sawbo, who were residing in that second provisional relegation spot, two points ahead of FC Clacton. However, ‘Bridge’s league home form has been a concern of late so Sawbridgeworth knew they had a chance here. Both teams from the start did mean business and the Blues took the lead after just three minutes, with good initial work by midfielder Michael Osei & forward Tobias Braney leaving forward Louis Bragg in on goal & he fired into the left corner. Soon after his goal, Bragg had another good strike at goal, but this time he was denied well by visiting goalkeeper Samuel Owusu as he parried it over the woodwork. As the half went on, the hosts backed off a little, allowing Sawbo time on the ball to push forward themselves. From a set-piece, Sawbo winger Jude Collins did well to stick the ball back into the area but centre-back Joshua Fox could only find the side-netting.

It was a warning the hosts did not heed though as midway through the half, Swbridgeworth were level. Hullbridge could not clear their lines fast enough from another set play and forward Kieran David’s opportunistic low finish found the far corner through a crowded penalty area, past home custodian Laurence Whymark and into the net. The Reds were in the middle of a good spell at this point, with winger Jehovany Kinzonzi’s fine drive needing a parry wide by Whymark on the half-hour. Hullbridge responded going forward and restored their lead on 35 minutes as winger Piers Hatcliff was bundled over in the area, allowing centre forward Tobias Braney to power home the spot-kick into left corner, despite Owusu going the right way. You sensed that Steve Roberts’ side needed another goal before the interval and it came five minutes before the break. Good work by Braney in evading his marker and putting the cross in found Louis Bragg & his assured strike found the corner again to extend their lead.

HT: Hullbridge 3 – 1 Sawbridgeworth

Despite the two-goal advantage, Hullbridge still needed to start the second half well and that did not quite materialise. Sawbo stand-in boss Steve Bambridge made three changes at the interval and it aided his team well. Ten minutes into the half, David turned provider and found the incoming run of Collins & his strike found the corner in what was a well-worked goal. The Blues pushed forward again and just shy of the hour mark, Bragg was in on goal again though this time his composure wasn’t quite there as he skewed his effort wide of Owusu’s goal. Any tension among the home support was justified as Sawbridgeworth rallied again and pushed forward to good effect, getting their share of possession along with it.

Coming into the last fifteen minutes, Sawbridgeworth already had half-chances to grab that crucial third goal so it was not a huge surprise when they did restore party on seventy-nine minutes. Substitute Elijah Mambombe’s fine run evaded the defenders before firing in a fine strike low into the corner to cement a good game for him. The visitors finished slightly the stronger of the two sides though after six minutes of added time, referee Tommy Fleming’s final whistle came and although a point does little good for either side – both teams put in a performance that had some positives as they seek to move away from the bottom two. Brilliant game for the neutral as well, full of guts and good attacking play.

Full-Time: Hullbridge Sports 3 – 3 Sawbridgeworth Town

Kinzonzi (#7) pushes forward for Sawbo in first half
To summarise this match, Hullbridge made the most of good spells in the first half while Sawbo struggled to defend as a team although after the break, a stern start from the visitors really piled the pressure on the home side and the second goal for Sawbo intensified the momentum for them and in a way, the result was a fair one in what was a proper advert for counter-attacking football. If both teams can keep this level up, then they will get points on the board to move away from their current precarious position in the league standings.

For Sawbridgeworth, centre forward Kieran David had a fine game, being central to most of the visitors’ good forward moves. David took his goal well & made a good assist as well as showing good movement in & around the eighteen yard box. Winger Jude Collins also had a good game, utilising his pace well and scoring a good goal and contributed well to his team’s all round play. Centre-back Joshua Fox led the defensive line well throughout and made a few important interceptions when his side were right up against it. Finally, substitute Elijah Mamomba made a difference in the second half, getting an important goal late on, stretching the home backline and linked up well with Kinzonzi on the right flank.

For Hullbridge, centre forward Tobias Braney was a threat with his physicality, movement and passing, creating an assist for one of Bragg’s goals & netting his spot-kick calmly. Fellow forward Louis Bragg had a fine game too, scoring two good goals to put his team in the ascendency and showcasing guile in getting between defenders too. Central midfielder Michael Osei also put in an energetic display to battle the opposition midfield as well as passing well. Lastly, full-back Jack Nolde also put in a committed performance to contribute to his team’s defensive & attacking moves.

Teams

Hullbridge Sports | Manager: Steve Roberts | Assistants: Tom Ranger

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Laurence Whymark (GK), 2 Jack Unwin (14 Ugonna Emenike 70’), 3 Jack Nolde, 5 Ollie Jenkins (12 Danny Hurford 85’), 6 Joe Burton, 4 Jacob Wiggins (Capt) (15 Ruben Santos 58’), 8 Michael Osei, 7 Piers Hatcliff (17 Mechack Asuka 70’), 9 Tobias Braney, 10 Louis Bragg (16 Callum Knowlden 85’), 11 Owen Bellamy

Goal-scorers: Louis Bragg [3’ & 40’], Tobias Braney [pen 35’]

Booked: Santos | | Subs Not Used: None

Sawbridgeworth Town | Interim Manager: Steve Bambridge | Assistant: Mark Mezen

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Samuel Owusu (GK), 2 Stephen Smith (Capt) (14 Isaac Stevens 77’), 3 Nabil Musah, 5 Joshua Fox, 6 Jeffrey Agyeman (20 Daniel Sayer 46’), 4 Danny Palmer (15 Mason Cook 77’), 7 Jehovany Kinzonzi, 8 George Lusardi (12 Owen Braddick 46’), 9 Joseph Fernandez (16 Elijah Mambombe 46’), 10 Kieran David, 11 Jude Collins

Goal-scorers: Kieran David [24’], Jude Collins [55’], Elijah Mambombe [79’]

Booked: Smith, Musah | Subs Not Used: None

Referee: Tommy Fleming
Assistants: Martin Quinn & Chris Hocket