I think this is a good measure of how far The Bridge have come this season. In other times, we would probably have lost this match, but the newfound resilience that The Bridge now has, ensured that the lads took a point from this game against a really tough opponent, who are a difficult team to take points from.

A superbly observed minute’s silence for Billy Vigar preceded the kick-off, and all at Hullbridge and indeed in football as a whole will send their condolences to Billy’s family and friends. Rest In Peace, Billy.

GWR have been high scorers this season and seem happy to concede as long as they outscore their opponents, but this game never seemed like it was going to have loads of goals, although it started with an early one after just two minutes. A Bradley Bennett long throw-in was headed on by Thomas Barton in the Hullbridge box, and Harry Talbot just edged in front of John Sonuga and hit home a superb volley into the bottom corner. A good start by the visitors, and we feared the worst, but it didn’t really materialise.

Rovers started the game well and had a chance from Max Gnandi even before that second-minute goal, but Dom Alexandru saved well at his feet and cleared the ball away. The visitors were shading the possession stats, but The Bridge were holding their own, and a counterattack led by Tobias Braney saw Thomas Barton receive a yellow card for bringing Tobias down as he headed towards goal. The ensuing free-kick was taken by Tobias, but the yellow wall stood firm, and Braney couldn’t convert the rebound that was also blocked.

Soon after, Rovers had a good opportunity when Dom Alexandru’s misplaced kick fell to Ben Search, who aimed at goal from long range, but it went inches wide of the post. There were few chances in the half, confirming our thoughts that this would be a tight game without the high number of goals that are usually present in GWR’s games.

As the game became a midfield battle, the teams tried to create vital chances, but the defences were on top. The whistle blew at 0-1 with just enough time before it did for Dom Alexandru to tip over a Bradleigh Rowland cross to keep the margin at one.

The second half saw Rovers looking for their second goal, and a short Alfie Whiteaker free-kick saw Ben Search shoot for goal, but his weak effort found its way to Jack Dickinson, who was denied by a superb save by Alexandru. Rovers then mounted another attack and a back-heel from Talbot found Alfie Whiteaker, but his shot was high over the bar. Max Gnandi then made a run towards the Hullbridge penalty area and was brought down right on the edge of it by Billy Willis, who received a yellow. Harry Talbot’s free-kick was aiming for the corner but was superbly saved by Alexandru.

Meanwhile, The Bridge had made substitutions that were beginning to take effect as Billy Boag and George Briton-Watkins began to influence the game. However, time was running out and, although The Bridge, as is usual nowadays in their games, were still very much in the match, the question was whether they could create a chance and grab the equaliser.

That question would soon be answered as The Bridge wrestled control of the ball in midfield, and the ball found Tobias Braney, who superbly played in George Briton-Watkins down the right side, and he controlled the ball and then smashed it home for 1-1. Possession-wise, GWR had probably had more, but The Bridge resilience shone through, and the equaliser was their reward.

As we entered added on time, Rovers launched a counterattack and Shaye La-Rose's pass was beyond The Bridge defence, with Emmanuel Okunja and Sean Gittleson running on to it as Dom Alexandru charged from his area and crashed into Okunja. Dom was the last man, and a red card was the obvious result as The Bridge were reduced to ten. Taylor Jacobi was sacrificed, and Tom Ranger came on and donned the purple jersey that GWR observers behind the goal rudely criticised due to its petite styling! Tom would have the last laugh, though, when a cross to the back post found Gittleson, but “The Ranger” tipped it over, keeping the score at 1-1.

As mentioned at the start of this report, The Bridge ‘hard to beat’ factor is becoming an increasing element of The Bridge performances and this was a good point against a team that looks play-off bound and if The Bridge can continue their upwardly-mobile progress, there’s no reason why they won’t be joining them…we’re in for an interesting few months I think!

There were a few Bridge candidates for this one today, and another strong defensive performance from John just shades it in his favour, with a special mention in dispatches for Billy Boag whose substitute performance turned the game back in Hullbridge’s favour.