The Teams:
Basildon: 1 Emmanuel Olajide 2 Ellis Ashworth 3 Aundre Wholas-Spencer 4 Dan Okah (Kudus Oyenuga 45’) 5 Valckx Fernandes Mendes Da Graca 6 Henry Lukombo (Temitola Olukolu 51’) 7 Steven Sardina (Jack Glenister 74’) 8 Samuel Carter 9 Fahad Nyanja 10 Ahmed Mohammed 11 Daniel McCullock Subs: 12 Kudas Oyenuga 13 Alfie Whiteaker 14 Jack Glenister 15 Temitola Olukolu 18 Luke Jackson
The Bridge: 1 Lewis Greene 2 Abdus Salami 3 Mathew Rose 4 Samuel Brogan (Sam Dulieu 85’) 5 Roland Oteniya 6 Alex Moss 7 Kieran Bailey 8 Albert Levett 9 Tony Stokes (George Smith 77’) 10 Luke Hornsley 11 Ross Elsom (Joe Gregory 70’) Subs: 12 George Smith 13 Ryan Karrer 14 San Dulieu 15 Emmanuel Folarin 16 Joe Gregory

Sports Report:
This was exactly what we needed as The Bridge took an excellent 3 points from the clash with Basildon United and made the relegation battle a scrap between six teams as Hullbridge moved onto 26 points and within striking distance of Great Wakering Rovers in 15th place on 31.

With some tough matches coming up this was a vital 3 points and The Bridge started well soaking up some early pressure before they started to get a foothold in the game. The first clear-cut chance fell to Kieran Bailey and the keeper parried his shot for a corner. Hullbridge continued to press, and Tony Stokes was next up with a chance as his overhead kick hit the crossbar. As the first half progressed the boys were still having the better of the chances and Stokesy dragged one just wide of the post before Basildon hit us on the break and hit the post with the ball bouncing back into the arms of Lewis Greene.

No score at half-time but the performance by The Bridge was promising and it was fingers crossed for the second half. We didn’t have to wait too long for the moment we were waiting for though as when the clock hit 49 minutes Roland Oteniya got on the end of a ball from Albert Levett and buried it to put The Bridge 1-0 up. Stranded on the M11 last week, this week Roland was stranded in the right place, the Basildon box, and he stroked the ball home to give us the lead.
We were expecting some increased pressure from the home side, and we did get some of this before Stokesy made it 2-0 on 73 minutes, set up by a header from Abdus Salami. Things were looking good! Both teams made changes as Basildon tried to get back into the match and Hullbridge used their squad to keep in control and see out the remaining minutes. With no further addition to the score, it was a successful away day for The Bridge and more points on the board to keep the boys fighting hard to stay in touch with the teams just above.

In this respect, results were mainly good for The Sports as Barking were held 2-2 by Bury Town and Great Wakering lost 0-3 at home to Maldon & Tiptree. The unexpected 3-2 away win for Witham Town over Grays Athletic was one we could have done without but all in all it was a good day for Hullbridge and back to winning ways after the recent defeats against Hashtag and Tilbury. Next up it’s a tough one at home to Heybridge and another vital 3 points at stake.