Oh! Joy to the world! Well, at least our small part of it here in Hullbridge, where, as we enter the festive season, it is all shiny bright lights and champagne celebrations as The Bridge season has turned a corner and the Harrison/Wallace impact has propelled The Bridge into a four-game winning streak.

The latest game in this streak was the 3-2 win over strong opponents Halstead Town, who came to Lower Road in 8th place and lived up to that billing only to lose to a stunning second-half comeback from The Bridge. Make no mistake, this was a good win against quality opponents, read on dear reader...

The game began with neither side on top, although The Bridge had the first opportunity when debutante Kamel Sassi fed Ellis Devereux, and Halstead keeper Charlie Turner came out to save at Ellis’ feet. Soon after, The Humbugs had their first chance, but Marc Holland’s shot was weak and easily saved by Michael Bett.

Neither side were looking too threatening at this stage, although Devereux had a shot that was not too convincing, and Kelson McFarlane did likewise. For the visitors, the ever dangerous Kane Gilbert had a cross headed over by Darren Phillips for a corner, and Joel Older fired at goal but was miles too high.

Both sides were trying to unlock their opponents’ defences, and on 27 minutes, The Bridge did with a flowing move that was initiated by Darren Phillips, who fired a ball wide that somehow bypassed a defender and found Kelson McFarlane. Kelson, as he often does, sent in a pinpoint cross, and the diminutive Kamel Sassi got to it first and beat his marker, sending a header into the Halstead net.

It didn’t take the visitors long, however, to get back on level terms, as just two minutes later a throw-in into The Bridge box was flicked on and not fully cleared, and it fell to Joel Older, who smashed it home for 1-1.

The game was not a classic, but it had definitely grabbed everyone’s attention as we waited for what happened next. There was a flurry of free kicks with Kane Munday’s headed clear by Darren Phillips and Billy Willis’ going over the bar whilst Leo Clark had a shot caught by Charlie Turner and Kane Munday sent in a cross that just eluded everyone.

As half-time approached, there were a few more attempts, Ellis Devereux shooting wide and a header from a Joel Older cross going just wide, but the scores remained level.

With the game in the balance, we wondered who would gain the upper hand, and as the second half began, George Frodsham had a cross cleared by Jack Mochalski before a Halstead throw-in went to Kane Gilbert, who teed it up and smashed a ”worldie” past Michael Bett that was unstoppable. An absolute cracker of a goal!

The Bridge, however, were not done and started the fight back with a McFarlane cross to Devereux, who couldn’t quite connect as keeper Turner saved easily. A Kane Munday cross/shot missed everybody before The Bridge had a few opportunities, including a Leo Clark cross deflected wide and Kelson McFarlane clipping the top of the bar with a decent effort. Oscar Jones then had a decent attempt, well saved by keeper Turner as the game continued to ebb and flow.

We continued to watch on, awaiting the next twist and turn of the game, and it came on 69 minutes with a short Leo Clarke throw to Jack Hauser, who sent a peach of a ball into the Halstead box, and Darren Phillips lost his marker and headed an unstoppable equaliser.

I’m not gonna lie, most Bridge fans would have settled for the point at this stage, but there was still plenty of time left, and once more the game was in the balance. What we’ve learned in recent weeks, though, is that this Bridge team is made of stern stuff and will fight to the end, and that’s exactly what happened as Halstead sent in a number of crosses and corners, but The Bridge stood firm and defended everything.

It wasn’t all one way, though, and The Bridge had a Leo Clark cross cleared, and then Leo fed Oscar Jones, and his cross was cleared too. The more than impressive Kane Gilbert then had a free kick well saved by Michael Bett, and Ellis Devereux shot high over the bar (the ball not actually Ellis!).

Could either team find the winner? Ho! Ho! Ho! we could, and on 87 minutes, George Briton-Watkins dragged a pass to Ellis Devereux, and Ellis broke through and prodded home the winner! An amazing comeback, a great team performance, and cue the celebrations...

In the remaining time, the visitors threw everything at the home defence, but Michael Betts made saves, and the whole team blocked anything they could, and they denied their opponents until the final whistle. Three more points, four wins in a row, and it’s a Happy Christmas build-up for The Bridge. New Year’s resolution.. how about a play-off chase...just saying!

What an impact this guy has made! Leading by example, heading anything that comes near him, scoring equalisers, he does it all, and he did again in this game. Another MOM for the captain and another top performance.