Brilliant Bridger Sinks Chatham

Report by Paul Meade

The U23’s returned to league action Monday evening with another away game in the Isthmian Development South travelling to bottom of the table Chatham FC.

Despite a few late changes due to work commitments and illness, a depleted squad made it a very difficult night with Margate not starting the game well.

Struggling to find any real cohesion and composure on the ball in the first half, they fell behind on the 24th minute with a long ball down the middle which the Chatham forward slotted home for the opening goal.

The rest of the half carried on in the same fashion and on 45 minutes a clearance hit captain Robson Hulks in the face directing the ball to an opposition forward who couldn’t miss from five yards as the Blues went in 2-0 down at the break.

The ‘Gate knew they had to start the second half quicker and smarter if they were to get back into the game and they did exactly that with a higher intensity but it was Chatham that broke away with Margate’s defence unable to deal with a cross from the left leaving an unmarked striker to drive home for their third goal of the evening.

A double substitution and a reshuffle of players appeared to spur Margate on and it was after some good play on the right by Louie Procopi linking up with Zack Jobe that started what was to be a great display of character and determination, with Harvey Bridger stabbing home the first of his four goals in the 54th minute.

Reece Grieg and Sam Belsey both had great chances to score but the Chatham keeper made two excellent saves as the Blues went in search of another goal to reduce the arrears. The ‘Gate definitely now had the momentum for the first time in the game and in the 66th minute from a deep corner Bridger again found himself in a great position and drilled home the second.

Chatham did have more chances themselves but a much improved defensive display and leadership from Robson Hulks, Nathan Geddes and George Hunt allowed the midfield to start to dominate with a Hunt pass down the left seeing Bridger outpace his defender driving into the box before slotting home at the near post for his hat-trick on 78 minutes and remarkably Margate’s equaliser.

The deciding goal of the game again came from a wide area with another cross that was met by Bridger in the 88th minute for his fourth, looping over the keeper for which ultimately proved to be the winner.

The game was marred however for Harvey Bridger on 90 minutes when an ugly challenge on him saw an even uglier confrontation by players from both sides which saw Bridger given his marching orders.

This was an exceptional show of second half character and resilience by every player never giving up and displaying courage to take the game to their opposition.

Harvey Bridger’s second half four goals had quality and composure and rightly deserved man of the match.

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