Hillians throw away lead as Bridges hit back

Hillians made changes with new signing Chris Breach making his debut and Pat Harding returning from illness. There were also starts for Neil Watts, Max Miller and Graham Martin as Hill played their third game of the week and face league leaders Peacehaven in two days time (Saturday).

Bridges had the first real effort on goal as Elliot Romain struck a shot which Hillians keeper Alan Mansfield tipped over the Bar.

After that the Hillians got more into the game and Lee Denyer had a half chance from Scott Kirkwood’s short corner and Curtis Gayler had a shot from 25 yards go just wide of the post.

The best chance of the half came on 33 minutes when Mansfield did brilliantly to deny Tony Garrod when he looked set to break the deadlock after being put through one-on-one, whilst at the other end Breach had a header cleared by a Bridges defender.

The second half started with the Hillians looking fired up and just four minutes in Hill got the opening goal when Miller burst down the right and his shot was parried out by keeper Martin Grant only to Pat Harding who shot home.

Two minutes later and it was 2-0 as Spencer Slaughter picked up the ball and came forward with the ball before unleashing a shot that flew into the top corner from 25 yards.

Hillians seemed comfortable from then and kept possession although Three Bridges nearly pulled one back on 58 minutes when Lee Carney dinked over a free kick to Garrod who powerfully shot and Mansfield saved well from point blank range.

Denyer hit a shot over the bar after Gayler’s corner had been only half cleared and Gayler was again involved in when his powerful run forward saw him lay off the ball for Slaughter to drive the ball at goal but Grant saved well as Hillians looked to get a third.

Despite this, it was Bridges who scored next when substitute Tim Rivers headed home a cross from the left on 79 minutes, and this gave Bridges confidence and they equalised just five minutes later when the dangerous Garrod turned and shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards.

The closing minutes saw both teams have chances to win the game. Bridges saw an Abu Touray effort hit the post and a dangerous cross into the box was missed by everyone when it only needed a touch.

Sub Joe Keehan had a free header go just wide from Denyer’s cross whilst William Peauroux sliced a clearance that nearly went in for an own goal as the Hillians suffered a disappointing draw after leading by two goals with just 11 minutes remaining.

Hillians: Alan Mansfield, Neil Watts, Toby Pointing, Chris Breach(Danny Curd 80), Lee Denyer, Graham Martin, Curtis Gayler, Spencer Slaughter (Joe Keehan 85), Scott Kirkwood, Max Miller (Greg Luer 80), Pat Harding. Not used: Dan Perry, Sam Fisk.