Belvedere 2 v Bridon 0 Saturday 15th November The ropes traveled to 2nd placed in the league Belvedere. With a pitch more like a ski slope and in poor condition this was going to be a tough fixture. The game started and in the first exchange it was Bridon who started the faster. Playing the ball to feet and moving Belvedere around the pitch. But it was against the run of play Belvedere took the lead, Bad marking from Bridon, left Belvedere with an easy finish. 1-0 (25mins) With the worst display of referring i have seen every tackle Bridon made was getting stopped , it looked as though the ref had a belvedere shirt on. And he came into his own world when on 40mins Jim Doherty with only the keeper to beat was brought down, everybody watching knew this was a dead certain penalty, and with that their keeper should of left the park. But no Mr Anekwe gave a free kick the other way, no-one could believe this, It was a terrible decision. 1-0 half time. With the second half starting and Bridon now kicking up a mountain of a hill, Belvedere played alot of long ball football. On 55 minutes of the second half a handball challenge from both skippers gave Mr Anekwe the spot light again sending them both of, where it could have just warned them. Bridon seemed to be letting the ref affect their game and on the 67th minute Belvedere extended their lead by robbing a Bridon defender and slotting it home. 2-0. The game seemed to fizzle out with Bridon coming close two or three times with Belvedere sitting back, final score2-0. After the match Martin commented. "That was the worst referring i have ever witnessed, An absolute penalty not given and the keeper still on the pitch it was a joke. With Belveders linesman giving some one way decisions we were up against 13 players. But we were poor today, and so were they, The game could have gone either way, But we cannot give teams easy goals and this is what we have done. We need to work harder now and not let the top two teams pull away from us, Starting with metrogas next week" Dan   S, Luke D, Ricky B, Marc S, Joe S, Adam O, (Anthony J 60mins) Rob S,   Lee W, John H, James F(Dwayne c 64   mins) Jim D, Steve K.   Bromleian sport 3 v Bridon 5 Saturday 8th November Bridon visited Bromleian sports for the 3rd time this season. This time in the Barry Bundock cup. With Bridon listing four first team injuries Bridon were streched to the bare bones of the squad. The game started and Bridon put their mark on the game playing some good pass and   move football which left Bromleians doing alot of shutting down but with no affect. With Bridon having all the possesion, this paid off with an absolutey terrific goal starting from the left hand side into the midfield, then moving out to the right, then a perfect cross into the box found Lee Wilton who buried the header into the net on 15 minutes 0-1. Bridon were much the better team with their pass and move football but on the 20th minute Bromleians got a scrappy goal   from a corner which Bridon didnt clear. 1-1. And it was Bromleians who took the lead again from a corner and bad defending from Bridon on the 25th minutes 2-1 half-time. The second half started and again like the first half Bridon were playing all the football, this was becoming such a one sided contest. And on 47th minute this paid of when Jim Doherty nut megged on defender then was brought down in the area by another penalty given. Lee Wilton stepped up and scored 2-2. Bridon now pushed on and the football they were playing was superb and with this Bromleians looked very tired as they were being moved around alot without the ball. On the 55th minute a brilliant ball through the centre of the Bromleians defence found James Farrer who rounded the keeper and played the ball into the net 2-3. Bridon then seemed to take their foot of the gas and Bromleians again got a scrappy goal through Bridon not clearing the ball on the 53rd minute. 3-3 full time. Extra time started and the pitch opened up, Bromleians were dead on their feet, Players were going down with cramp, But Bridon stepped their game up again and looked very strong and on th108th minute a great cross found the head of Adam who made it 3-4 and it was Adam again who finished the game off on the 118th minute with a brilliant square ball into the running of Adam who finished it of 3-5 final score. Martin commented after the match "I thought we were brilliant today apart from us giving them three goals, we played them of the park. Our fitness and movement was today outstanding. We need to cut out silly mistakes and move on. But we have the mentality of "we dont lose" which is superb. We need to up the level and take this into the Belvedere fixture." Dan S, Luke D, Joe S, Ricky B, Alan M, Adam O, Rob S, John H, Lee W, JamesF (Anthony J 117 min) Jim D, Marc S. Bridon 4 v Newham 2 Saturday 1st November On this wet and windy saturday Bridon played hosts to Newham United from the Essex league in the London intermediate cup. With a ref being assessed both sides knew   he would be very strict. The game started and   it was Bridon playing the football and Newham playing Long ball football which was not pretty. Within the first 10 minutes the ref could off sent off the Newham number 7 for two bad tackles. Bridon rode the challenges and on the 34th minute some good football found Jim Doherty in the box who held the ball then played a superb pass into the path of LeeWilton who buried it into the bottom corner, Which left Newham keeper no chance 1-0 But this was short lived when a silly challenge outside the box gave Newham a free kick which was scored on the 39th minute 1-1. With Bridon losing Joe Crook on the 29th minute through injury they then had Lee Wilton sent off on the 40th minute which was a strange decision as Wilton got the ball and yet Newham number 7 was still on the park. So with Bridon now down to 10 men they saw the first half out 1-1. The second half started and it was Newham in the first 10 minutes putting pressure on Bridons 10 men, But their football was still very long ball and on the48th minute a superb strike from 35 yards hit the top corner 1-2. Bridon could off dropped their heads but this didn't happen. They upped their speed of the game which left Newham looking very tired and on the 58th minute the ball fell to the feet of Alan Mackle who finished his shot into the bottom corner 2-2. It wasnow all Bridon playing some brilliant football and on the 64th minute, brilliant football down the right hand side found Jim Doherty who placed a   superb pass square into the feet of James Farrer who made no mistake 3-2. The game now was coming to a close but   on the 89th minute Jim Doherty raced into the box being chased by Newhams number 7 who's challenge was poor and a penalty was given. What was Newhams number 7 still doing on the pitch very poor refering.   Doherty picked himself up and scored 4-2. With the clock running Down the worst challenge in the game by Newhams centre half saw Steve Kendle nearly having his leg broke, again the ref did nothing. Final score 4-2. With Martin Down recieving before the match the Vandanel kent county manger of the month for October he commented "I thought we were really brilliant with only having 10 men for the majority of the the game, Newham only had a 15 minute spell in the second half but fot the rest of the match we played the better football. Our fitness showed and our football was superb, I was very proud of the whole squad. A superb performance from everyone today." Dan S, Luke D, Marc S, Alan M, Joe S, Joe C (Adam O 29th min) Jim D, Rob S, John H, Lee W, James F (Steve K 82th min) Ricky B.     Bridon 3 v Westerham 0 Saturday 25th October Bridon today welcomed bottom placed Westerham, A team without a manager but still with some very good talent on the park. The game started and from the first minute Bridon were on top and the football they played was superb. This early pressure paid off when a brilliant cross from the righthand side by Rob Scott was put in their own net by Westerham defender on the 8th minute. Bridon were now making Westerham chase shadows and on the 15th minute the ball broke to Alan Mackle with the Westerham goal keeper coming out to shut him down Mackle lifted the ball over the keeper then placed it into an empty net 2-0 With Westerham losing two of their defenders through injury, Bridon moved the ball around the net not giving Westerham a sniff. On the 37th minute Bridons Jim Doherty got into the area for one on one with Westerhams defender who for some reason made a rush challenge and took Jim Doherty down. Penalty. Doherty picked himself up and played the penalty which the keeper saved, but it rebounded to dohertys feet who then placed it into the net. 3-0 (halftime). The second half started and Bridon had taken their foot of the gas, Which gave Westerham more of the game, But it was still very comfortable for the ropes, With Dan Scotter not having to make one save in the entire game. The game wore on and it was just seeing the time out for Bridon. Final score 3-0 After the match Martin commented "In the first half we played some of the best football we have played this season. Forget that Westerham are at the bottom of the league they are still a decent outfit, But are movement and quick one touch football was brilliant. Theres along way to go yet but as a squad the guys look strong and are working hard together in training and on the pitch. What we must do is keep playing for the ninety minutes and keep focused until the final whistle goes." Dan S, Luke D, Ricky B, Marc S, Joe S, Rob S, Lee W (James F 71min) John H, Alan M, (Steve K 82 min) Jim D, Joe C (Adam O 71 min). Chipstead   1 v Bridon 2 Saturday 18th October Bridon traveled to the nice set up of Chipstead football club with Chipstead in the same form as Bridon this was going to be a close fixture.   The game started and it was Chipstead in the first 15 minutes who took a grip of the game playing long ball tatics over the Bridons Defence for their lively forwards to get on to. And chipstead could have finished the game off in the early exchange, but they didn't count on the superb Dan Scotter in the Bridon goal who pulled off some amazing saves to keep Bridon in the game. After the first period Bridon then came into the game playing some good football and putting pressure on Chipsteads slow defence. It was on the 38th minute when Bridon took the lead when one of chipsteads defenders was slow on the ball and Bridons top marksman Jim Doherty robbed him of the ball and finished it off superbly 0-1 half time. The second half started and Bridon now were on top and playing their good movement football and punishing Chipsteads tired looking defence. On the 70th minute this nearly paid of with Jim Doherty going one to one with Chipsteads keeper but their keeper came out on top. With Bridons defenderMarc Scotter coming of injured, Martin had to reshuffle the team. Alan Makel into defence and bringing on Steve Kendle to left midfield, After which   Martin made two more changes Dwayne Cowan for Joe Crook and Steve Radcliff   for Luke Doherty. And it was sub Dwayne Cowan who wrapped the game up on the 84th minute a good pass put Cowan in one on one with the keeper his first shot hit the post and then he finished it of superbly from a tight angle 0-2. Chipsteads heads were down, but they found a scrappy goal on the 90th minute 1-2 (final score) After the game Martin commented "We didn't   play our best today but we worked really hard as a unit and deserved this result, the depth i have in the squad is strong and making 3 changes kept the team strong in all positions. It was a good battle, Chipstead are a good   side and we had to defend well. This showed me today that we never give up and can dig out a good result. Confidence is good in the   camp and we will carry this into our home fixture with westerham next week." Dan S, Luke D, (Steve R 80min), Joe S, Ricky B, Marc S (Steve K 72min) Alan M, Lee W, John H, Rob S Jim D, Joe C (Dwayne C 75 min) Bromleian sports 2 v Bridon 3 Saturday 11th October Bridon returned to Bromleian sports for the second time this season but this time in the league. Bridon were up for revenge after losing 2-0 in the cup a few weeks previous. The game started and Bridon put Bromleians straight on the back foot playing fast and quick football which left Bromleians chasing shadows. This soon paid off as John Haxall was brought down after 5 minutes and the ref gave a penalty. Jim Doherty stepped up and buried the penalty giving their keeper no chance 0-1 Bridon were way on top. Bromleians had not turned up or i think it was Bridon playing so well that they just couldn't get into the game. But after 12 minutes they got a lucky goal through an own goal 1-1 This was short lived as jim Doherty on the 17th minute beat three Bromleian   defenders and drove a shot into the bottom corner, A superb goal 1-2. Bromleians were now arguing with each other and it got worse when Dwayne Cowan robbed the Bromleian centre back and finished it off brilliantly 1-3 half time. The second half started and Bromleians went to long ball tactics not playing good football, But on the 50th minute they got an undeserved goal with Bridons defence backing   off leaving Bromleians an easy goal 2-3. Bromleians were looking to get back on level terms and   were throwing everything at Bridon but Bridon defended superbly and could of killed the game off on number of occasions Final score 2-3 After the match martin commented " We deserved this result we were much the better team and played some good football, They just played long ball. We should of won this by 4 or five goals, But we didn't take our chances. we defended superbly as a unit and didn't panic when Bromleians throw everyone up. A good result which we will take to Chipstead next week." Dan S,   Luke D, Joe S, Marc S, Alan M, Rob S, Lee w, (Adam O 35min) James F, John H, Jim D, (Joe C 75 min) Dwayne C (Ricky B 80 min) Bridon 4 v Hawhurst 1 Saturday 4th October Bridon went into the West Kent Challenge cup game on the back of a poor performance at Bromlian Sports last week so they needed to perform and get back the their superb football. The game started and it was Back to the normal from Bridon, The movement, passing , tackling and the hunger were all back Hawkhurst could not get near the ball. And it was on the 24th minute when Joe Scott picked up the ball and from 35 yards hit an absolute screamer into the back of the net 1-0. Bridon now looked strong and played some great one touch football and this counted on the 30th minute when good pass and move football down the right from Luke and Jim Doherty found Dwayne Cowan who lifted the all over the defender the ball then found John Haxall who hit a superb volley into the net 2-0. ( half time) The second half started and Hawkhurst playing long ball football found the goal on the 47th minute with a scrappy goal which Bridon could and should have cleared 2-1 But it wasn't long before Bridon took control again. Brilliant football down the right hand side put Jim Doherty through on goal and he made no mistake 3-1 on the 54th minute. Bridon now had Hawkhurst chasing shadows and on the 68th minute brilliant football down on the right put Joe Crook motoring down the wing and a brilliant pin point cross found the head of Jim Doherty 4-1 final score. After the game Martin commented "Apart from the first 5 minutes of the second half we played total football, it was brilliant, all my players worked hard today and were hungry for the ball. Our passing and movement was superb and with that we scored 4 brilliant goals. We now need to take this back to Bromlian sports next week." Dan S, Luke D,(Adam O 60 min), Joe S, Marc S, Alan M, James F, Lee W,(Ali 85th min) John H, Rob S, Jim D, Dwayne C (Joe C 60th min) Bromlian sports 2 v Bridon 0 Saturday 27th Sept Bridon went into this inter regional challenge cup game fullof confidence although the team had not won a game yet this season the football Bridon have been playing has been superb. The game started and for 10 minutes it was very much even. Bromlians using their two wide players really well who were their main threat. And it was Bromlians who took the lead on the 22nd minute from   a goal mouth tap in with Bridon not shutting the player down. Bromlians were on top and it was the two wide players causing Bridon most damage. Bridon didn't deal with the physical side of the Bromlians who were big but not skillful and had a slow back line which Bridon didn't punish. The first half came to a close with Bridon losing captain John Haxall just before the half time whistle. The second half started and on the 48th minute Bromlians got a free kick just outside the penalty area, a quick move saw the ball put across and taped in 2-0, Bridon were still in the dressing room when this happened as they had completely switched off. Bromlians then sat back and Bridonhad most of the possession, But time after time giving the ball away. The only clear chance Bridon got was on 90th minute and Jim Doherty got a penalty. He picked himself up and took the penalty but it was well saved by the Bromlians keeper. Final score 2-0 After the match Martin commented "This was an awful display from my side it was like watching a side id never seen before, We didn't move, our passing was dreadful, we didn't want   the game. I don't expect my side to play like this, and any of my players who think the team will carry on like this will have another thing coming, i do not expect this type of performance. We have another cup game this coming saturday to put this right. I will now need to look at the squad and their individual performances."     Bridon 2 v Sutton Athletic 4 Saturday 20th sept Going into the match Bridon knowing Sutton were the top of the league Bridon had to perform and compete. Well perform Bridon did you would have thought the teams were the wrong way round in the league table with Bridon dominating from the 1st minute, playing some superb football, But on the 14th minute Sutton got an undeserved lead through a missed timed tackle in the area, penalty given 0-1 Bridon dusted themselves of and dominating all the possession But again Sutton scored on the 23rd minute with a superb strike outside the area leaving the bridon keeper with no chance. Bridon could have dropped their heads but they didn't and on the 28th minute a brilliant one touch found Alan Mackle in the area who finished the move of superbly. Bridon had their tails up now with both Alan Mackle and Rob Scott caused Sutton no end of problems out on the flanks. But Sutton restored their 2 goal advantage when Bridons Keeper tried to clear the cross with a punch but it fell to a Sutton player who hit the back of the net 1-3 (half time) The second half started with Bridon again having all the possession but on the 53rd minute Sutton made it 1-4 and the game looked over. But Bridon again playing brilliant pass and move football made it 2-4 through captain John Haxall on the 71st minute and that's how the game ended 2-4 The scoring does not reflect the game Bridon had 100% more of the ball and if they keep playing like this its only a matter of time before things change. After the game Martin commented " I must sound like a long playing record each week saying we were the better team on the day. But today we played the top side of the park our football was brilliant, I cant remember one good bit of football from Sutton they didn't worry me at all and yet we still came out of a one sided fixture with a loss. The boys were brilliant and our two goals were scored from some superb one touch football, Our football is brilliant and i cant ask the boys to play any better we just need to finish teams off. These first three games we played every single side off the park and come away with nothing. We are going to start winning and hopefully it will be against bromlian sports next week" Dave N, Luke D, Adam O, Ricky B, Joe S, Alan M, James F (James C 65 min) John H, Lee W, Rob S Jim D (Steve K 85 min) Crockenhill 2 v Bridon 1 Saturday 13th sept The ropes traveled to the impressive set up of Crockenhill F.C. With the weather perfect and playing in a nice away stadium it was a day for good football to be played. With both sides losing their first fixtures this was going to be a test of character for both sides. The game started and for the second week running Bridon had all the possesion. The football in the first half was brilliant to watch from Bridon. Jim Doherty was back from   injury and running the Crockenhill defence all over the pitch. The movement and passing looked and was good but again like last week chances were not taken and on the 21st minute a long throw   was not cleared by Bridon defence left the Crockenhill striker with a simple tap in 1-0. Bridon went again hitting the bar having a dead certain penalty not given. If chances had been put away we should have been 1-5 at half time. The second half started and again it was Bridon playing the good football, Crockenhill seem to rely on long throws and corners to cause the Ropes any problems. Crockenhill then made 3 subs to try and change the game, and one sub did picking the ball up just outside the area and drilled the ball into the bottom corner, a very good goal on the 72nd minute 2-0. But Bridon came again and the Crocks keeper was in good form then on the 88th minute Jim Doherty broke through hit the post and the ball feel to the feet of James Cross 2-1. But it was just to late for Bridon and the final whistle came 2-1. Martin commented after the game "I thought last week was hard to take after the possession we had against Belvedere, But this was one way traffic for all the game. We played some really good football but we cant concede soft goals and we must finish our chances. If we had of done this   today it would have been a very comfatable win. I think we need to play poorly to win because at the moment we are playing teams off the park and coming away with nothing. We need to work harder now with the top boys coming to Meridian next week" Dan S, Luke D, Marc S, Ricky B, Joe S, (Steve K 65th min) Adam O, (James C 57th min) James F, John H (Lee W 65th min) Alan M, Rob S, Jim D. Bridon 0 v Belvedere 2 Saturday the sept With the weather bringing three seasons in one day (sun , rain and sleat ) Bridon welcomed Belvedere to meridian sports club. With the pitch in perfect condition for this opening day of the Vandanel division one west fixture. The game started with Bridon controlling the opening encounter. Bridon playing some delightful football and creating chance after chance but not making those chances count, and with the belvedere keeper   in good form.   It was Bridon with all the possession of the first half but it was belvedere took an undeserved lead, a back pass and a mix up in     the Bridon defence saw Belvederes striker slot the ball   home on the 43rd minute. With two handball claims and poor referring display the half came to a close at 0-1 The second half started and   within two   minutes Bridon lost their main striker Jim Doherty   through a groin injury. He was   replaced by Dean Eastwood.   The second half was much like the first Bridon having most of the possession with Belvedere only having a couple of chances. But again on the 73rd minute a mix up again by Bridon gave belvedere their second goal and deflated Bridon. Final score 0 - 2. After the match Martin commented "It was a very cruel game we dominated the game. i was not worried about belvedere they did not threaten us at all, But if you don't finish the chances we made then we will pay. We should have been 3 up by half time, we looked comftable and played some really good football, but it counts for nothing if you don't finish the job. There were lots of positives from this. My team looked sharp, fit and comftable on the ball. But   we need to lift each other "if when" we go behind. I now need to lift the squad and look forward to the fixture with crockenhill. Dan S, Luke D , Marc S , Richard A, Joe S, Adam o, (steve k 83 min) James F (steve R 83 min) John H, Alan M, Rob S, Jim D (Dean E 47min)