CHAMPIONS: Three Bridges clinch Isthmian south east crown
Three Bridges are champions of the Isthmian League south east division – and can look forward to tackling the Isthmian premier next season.
Jamie Crellin’s side have led the way all season and made sure of top spot – with two games to spare – by winning at AFC Whyteleafe this afternoon.
Noel Leighton headed them into the lead late in the first half and Hayden Velvick finished off a counter-attacking move to make it 2-0 eight minutes after the break.
That win – coupled with a defeat at Hassocks for the only side that could have caught them – meant the celebrations could begin.
The title triumph comes two years after Bridges reached the Isthmian SE play-off final only to be blown away by Chichester City. They narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season.
Bridges may nor be Sussx’s last non-league champions of the season – for Worthng have taken another step towards claiming the National South crown and earning automatic promotion to the National League Premier.
They beat Dagenham and Redbridge 7-2 in front of more than 3,500 at Woodside Road – that after going 1-0 down.
The Rebels’ scorers were Jack Spong, Wiktor Makowski (2), Teddy Jenks, Callum Morton and in injury time with Dagenham down to nine men after using all their subs then sustaining more injries, Joe Cook and Brad Dolaghan – and their afternoon got even better with news that closest challengers Dorking had lost a third straight game, going down 2-1 at Totton.
The results leave Worthing three points clear of Dorking – and four ahead of Torquay – with two games left.
It was also a good day for three Sussex sides battling to stay in their divisions.
As mentioned, Hassocks scored a surprise victory over AFC Croydon, Zack Henry, Liam Benson and Jack Troak scored to earn three points which leave the Robins just two points below the safety line with two to play.
In the same division, Hastings won 4-2 at Broadbridge Heath through goals by Damien Theodore (2), Jordan Mase and Max Walsh – a win which leaves United four points above the drop zone.
In the Isthmian south central, Littlehampton did their hopes of staying up the power of good with a 3-1 win at home to Hartley Wintney, leaving them just two points blow the line in the drop zone.