A brace from Harry Talbot and a goal from Harry Brown secured a win away at Hullbridge Sports as Great Wakering Rovers held on to win by three goals to two with ten men.

Great Wakering Rovers came into this fixture winning five games in their last six in all competitions. Hullbridge Sports had lost their last five in all competitions as well coming into this game.

Rovers were forced into a late change due to skipper Ben Search unable to overcome an ankle issue but welcomed back midfielder Jack Dickinson after a spell out on the sidelines.

KICKOFF
The first part of this game saw Hullbridge slightly on top as both sides tried to carve out some early chance. Early on a diagonal ball to Owen Bellemy was followed by his cross into the box but nobody was on the end of it, while at the other end, Raheem Gray charged down a Laurence Whymark kick but the ball went just wide of the goal.

The Hullbridge keeper was then called into action again with a good save from a rovers free kick from James White, with the rebound bouncing wide before Tobias Braney made a good run but his shot was too high and over the bar. Both sides had corners and were getting crosses into the box with Jack Dickinson heading wide for rovers before a Braney ball to Bellamy was crossed to Sam Adetiba whose header was kept out by a good save from George Martin at his near post.

The game continued with both sides having efforts at goal but not looking like scoring until rovers broke the deadlock just after twenty six minutes. Harry Talbot broke through a couple of tackles and found himself directly in front of Whymark and he blasted the ball into the bottom right corner to put the rovers ahead. Soon after this, the rovers doubled their lead. A throw into the box found Harry Talbot who turned himself to goal and crossed the ball to the back post for Harry Brown to head home.

Despite being two goals up, Hullbridge started to get back into the game and they did this very quickly when there was a nice interchange between Braney and Adetiba before Braney’s cross was excellently controlled by Owen Bellamy who brought the ball down and turned and smashed the ball into the bottom left corner past the outstretched arms of George Martin. As the half drew to a close, Harrison Topliss had a header at goal blocked amidst shouts for handball. Bellamy then had a shot blocked, as did Braney who got on the end of a Ugonna Emenike cross, and, finally, Callum Boylan had a shot on target easily saved by Whymark as the half ended.

HALFTIME Hullbridge 1-2 Rovers

The second half began with The Bridge on top and Owen Bellamy’s shot just went over the bar before a corner was swung in and missed everyone. Michael Osei had a shot on target next but George Martin saved easily before a Ruben Santos corner was headed clear amidst Bridge shouts for a penalty but nothing was given. Hullbridge continued to press and it soon paid off. Bellamy's cross was headed for a corner that was cleared but only to Tobias Braney who maneuvered into the edge of the left side of the box and fired home the equaliser into the bottom left corner.

The game now was anyone’s and it was hard to predict a winner, however rovers were soon back in front. Rovers were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area and Harry Talbot’s kick found the bottom left corner of the Hullbridge net. Soon after this, Hullbridge were presented a golden opportunity to level the score. Tobias Braney managed to dribble his way into the area and James White brought down and it was a penalty to Hullbridge. However, George Martin dived low to his left and managed to smother the ball low to his left to keep it at 2-3 to rovers.

Shortly after, Harry Talbot, who was having an eventful day, was deemed to have dived to gain a free-kick and gained a second yellow instead and was red-carded. With 15 minutes plus injury time to go, Hullbridge started to apply the pressure but despite the one-man advantage, they couldn’t find the leveller. Piers Hatcliff had the best chance for Hullbridge who connected well but his shot was straight at George Martin. They continued to knock on the door but the rovers defence stood firm and saw out the game.

FULLTIME Hullbridge Sports 2-3 Rovers

The result means rovers remain third and have now won six games in their last seven in all competitions. They will now turn their attention to Tuesday 22nd October as they travel away to Saffron Walden Town in the second round of the Essex Senior Cup and then return to league action as they welcome Frenford at Burroughs Park on Saturday 26th October.