Will Oaks fall from the Bridge?

On on mild winter, Oakwood traveled the short journey to the iconic Loppets Road to take on Three Bridge in Div 2 of the Mid Sussex League. Coming off the back of a hard fought 3-3 battle with Seaford both coach Kieron Joseph (Alfold 1st team captain) and manager Kirk were keen to see how the lads would bounce back.

Sadly we got off to a very slow start with Three Bridges going on the attack from the first minute. Keeper Ethan had to be alert in the first 5 minutes coming out bravely to smother a chance. As the game went on we grew into it, Roman and Theo at the back looked solid with skipper Daniel sitting his a holding role. The 2 forwards that Three Bridges deployed made Oakwood rethink the shape. Archie Waddle was trying to get onto the ball as much as he could and play in Adam B and Billy, who was selected to start up front. Billy kept finding himself in pockets of space which was a surprise but it allowed Oakwood to gain a grip. Mason Creed and NIko Joseph were keeping Three Brides awake and on 15 minutes the first goal came.
Midfielder Mason Creed intercepted a pass forward and slipped in Billy Turner who calmly dinked it over the keeper, after a good old fashioned goal mouth scramble, Mason popped up to smash it in from 2 years. Three Bridges hit back within 90 seconds, popping the ball around to make it 1-1.
Oakwood were taking control but Three Bridges were still creating chances. Subs came into the game with Luke B replacing The Rock Theo after a slight head injury. Freddie and Jude came off the bench and hit the ground running. On 24 minutes, Ethan picked out Daniel from a goal kick, he fired a pass forward into Niko and the rest as they say is history. a 20 yard smash and Oakwood we back in front. As time ticked away Ethan had to pull off a great 1v1 save with seconds left in the half to make sure we can into the break 2-1 up.
Josh came into the game and was causing issues for the Three Bridges team, working hard and getting creative.
On 38 minutes, from a free kick Freddie put the ball into the box where Billy Turner got a free header to make it 3-1. But Three Bridges never went away and were always in the game.
More subs were made with Daniel, Archie and Niko all getting a well deserved break. On 48 minutes Freddie got his goal to put us in control.. But again Three Bridges just wouldn't give up and after giving away a free kick outside the box we conceded a 2nd goal. Ethan pushed the free kick out and a Three Bridges player put the ball into the empty net.
Time ran out for Three Bridges and we ran out 4-2 winners. It was a game where we dug out a victory and eyes firmly focused on Mile Oak next week.