Robertsbridge

FOOTBALL: The 1st team hosted Macron East Sussex Football League Champions for the second time in five days after losing 3-1 in the Birchwood Challenge Cup Final on Monday. The Bridge needed a win to boost their chances of second place in the Premier Division but a 2-0 defeat means it goes down to the last game of the season. The first half saw chances from both sides go begging and when Lee Mansfield handled on the line, and was subsequently sent off, the champions should have taken the lead but the 42nd minute penalty was saved by man of the match Bridge keeper Grant Lewis. The second period was stalemate until the 75th minute when a defensive mistake led to the visitors scoring and another mistake gave the champions all three points 8 minutes from time. The 2nd team hosted Battle Baptists III and were soon under pressure by a vibrant Baptists side who thought they had taken the lead after 20 minutes when a shot was goal bound until man of the match Bridge keeper Nick Townsend some how tipped it over the bar and just two minutes later Bridge striker Colin Eade’ shot was saved by the visiting keeper. The second half was just three minutes old when JJ Boast went up for a corner and headed just past the post while Townsend had to pull off another good save to keep the visitors at bay after 50 minutes, however he could do nothing about the Baptists goal on 59 minutes. The Bridge pushed for the equaliser and that came on 65 minutes when a good through ball by Eade found Kenny Jones on hand to score but the Baptists came back and secured all three points with goals after 70 and 85 minutes.

The Bridge played their final league match on Monday and missed out on second place after struggling to field their strongest side due to the bank holiday at Battle Baptists whose victory took them into second place. In a first half of very little chances the Bridge defence stood firm with man of the match Ben Hardy in good form. The second period started the same until the 70th minute when the hosts scored and just five minutes later the Baptists sealed victory.

CHARITY CUP: The Paul Mitchell Plastering Contractors sponsored Robertsbridge Charity Cup Finals will start with the Junior Cup on Tuesday 10th May 2016 between Northiam ‘75 v St.Leonards Social II while the Intermediate Cup will on Wednesday 11th May 2016 between Hawkhurst United v Bexhill A.A.C. Both Finals will be at Robertsridge Recreation Ground K.O. 6.30p.m. and entry is just Adults £2 O.A.P’s/Children £1 with all profits going to local charities in Robertsbridge some come along and support these finals.

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