South East Play Off Door slammed shut as Bridges win

We already knew that any three of Ramsgate or Cray Valley PM, Sittingbourne and Chichester City would compete in our Pitching In Isthmian South East Play Offs, but now we know that Three Bridges will join them, victory for the Crawley side at Erith and Belvedere yesterday finally ending the play off hopes of sixth place Lancing.

Bridges undoubtedly deserve their place in the end of season shootout. For much of the first half of the campaign they fought for top spot with Ramsgate, and after a mid season blip saw them drop as low as eighth their resurgence has been remarkable. Yesterday's result was their twelfth unbeaten match in a row, and that includes nine wins- including the last six. It also includes that remarkable five-four win at Cray Valley PM which made them the only side to defeat the Millers in the League this season, a three-nil win over third place Sittingbourne, and last Tuesday night's eight goal haul against Hythe Town. If they can end the campaign in similar fashion, everyone will want to avoid them in the Semi-Final.

Bridges trip to Erith and Belvedere yesterday was crucial to both sides. The hosts started the day eight points from safety with only four matches to go, so needed victory- but sadly for the home faithful their side was level for only eight minutes before Noel Leighton, in red hot form all season, headed his thirty fifth goal of the season to put the visitors ahead. The Deres hopes came to an end twelve minutes from time, Ibrahim Jalloh getting his twenty second of the campaign to make it two-nil, and that turned out to be that.

Bridges have now scored ninety four league goals- only leaders Ramsgate have more. The Deres find themselves eight points from safety with only three matches left- which means they need to win at Littlehampton Town and Sheppey United, and then defeat Merstham at home- whilst hoping that neither Littlehampton and East Grinstead Town don't pick up another point, as both sides have significantly superior goal difference. And, of course, Beckenham Town remain in the mix, needing to win their last two matches and hope that the Golds and Wasps slip up.

By the way, whilst the senior side were winning, elsewhere a Bridges Under 18 side were winning Mid Sussex Division One, whilst their Under 12's were triumphant in the Mid Sussex League Cup Final. A fine day, it seems, for all at Jubilee Field.

Follow the Pitching In Isthmian League on Instagram. Head here or search for theisthmianleague on your app. We're also on Facebook and Twitter.