Three Bridges open Isthmian Premier points tally at Dulwich Hamlet
Three Bridges secured their first-ever point at step three of the non-league pyramid with a superb comeback at Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday, battling back from 2–0 down to earn a thrilling 2–2 draw at Champion Hill despite missing two penalties in the process.
After a difficult start to life in the Isthmian Premier, pointless after their opening four matches, there was a huge boost before kick-off as captain Noel Leighton, the club’s all-time leading scorer, passed a late fitness test to make his first appearance of the season.
Bridges made a bright start, but it was the hosts who took the lead in the 10th minute. A momentary lapse in the visitors’ defence allowed Danny Mills to receive the ball unmarked inside the box, and he curled his effort beyond Sam Roberts to put Dulwich 1-0 ahead.
Bridges responded positively and began to cause the hosts problems. Dan Ferreira struck the post in the 20th minute, while the combination of Ade Adeyinka, Leighton and Kevin Rivera continued to trouble the Dulwich defence. Rivera came close again in the 41st minute, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Despite an encouraging end to the half, Bridges went into the interval trailing 1-0.
Dulwich were left feeling aggrieved shortly after the restart when a shot appeared to strike Sam Bull’s hand inside the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute when Lonit Talla found the corner from outside the box with a well-placed effort which gave Roberts no chance.
Bridges refused to fold, and the introduction of Stefan Ilić in the 57th minute provided renewed energy to the visitors’ attack. Their pressure finally brought a reward ten minutes later when Charlie Bennett was brought down inside the box by Dulwich keeper Toby Bull. Bennett took responsibility from the spot and sent Bull the wrong way, only to see his penalty rebound off the post.
Bridges continued to push forward and took firm control. Their persistence was finally rewarded in the 83rd minute when, fittingly, captain Leighton rose highest inside the box to meet a superb corner from Ilić and head home, giving Bridges a lifeline.
Just a minute later, the visitors were awarded another penalty after Rivera produced another piece of magic inside the box before being brought down.
This time Leighton stepped up, but Bull guessed correctly to save the penalty. The Dulwich goalkeeper then produced another save to deny Leighton’s rebound, before MoM Scott Malone reacted quickest to smash home from the third attempt and send the travelling Bridges support into raptures.
That equaliser came in the 87th minute, completing an extraordinary comeback and making it 2-2.
Bridges threw everything forward during the closing stages and came within inches of completing the turnaround, with both Leighton and Josh Hallard having opportunities to snatch a dramatic winner.
At the other end, Malone produced a crucial goal-line clearance to ensure Bridges left Champion Hill with a deserved point.
This was arguably Three Bridges’ best performance of the season so far. More importantly, Jamie Crellin’s side had secured their first point at step three – and did so in remarkable fashion after trailing by two goals and missing two penalties.
Bridges were hosting league leaders Carshalton Athletic on Monday (3pm). On Friday, Bridges have an FA Cup first qualifying round tie at home to Kingstonian (7.45pm).
Three Bridges: Roberts, Ferreira, Malone, Bull, J. Hallard, Adeyinka, Bennett, Rivera, Richards, Velvick Leighton (C). Subs used: Ilić, Villavicencio.