The first 10 minutes were scrappy and Bridge were the better side with Hoole continuously losing possession with sloppy passing and over playing. A ball in to the box caused confusion between Mark Wearden and Bungle and the ball was left free in the box for the Bridge player to poke home.1-0 down after 10 minutes Hoole got the kick up the arse they needed and began to dominate possession. As they grew into the game they were first to every ball and Bridge look shell shocked at the step up in Hooles game. Some good work down the right hand side saw Dave Marsden whip in a brilliant cross and Mark Wearden rose to see his header blocked but was sharp enough to be first to the rebound to even the scores on the half hour mark, amending for his earlier error. Andy Helm nearly put Hoole ahead rifling a shot off the post from 20 yards.
At half time the game still at 1-1 but with Hoole in the driving seat it was positive words and encouragement at half time. This paid off as shortly in to the second half Andy Helm played a one two on the edge of the box with Bainy and this time found the right side of the post to make it 2-1 on 50 mins. Hoole now buoyant and creating chance after chance they continued to press. The ball was headed clear from a Hoole corner and Oli Taylor show desire to win the ball from the Bridge striker, bursting forward and tking the ball on his chest then unleashing an unstoppable volley right into the top corner from 25 yards.
A heavier than normal Jon Rigby challenge caused handbags and from the pushing and shoving the ref picked out a Walmer Bridge midfielder to place into his book. Hoole now in cruise control they made the first change on 67 mins bringing on Keaton as fresh legs for Max Swire who had put in a tireless box to box performance. Minutes later Wearden was fouled on the edge of the Walmer Bridge box and the referee deemed this a second bookable offence and Bridge were down to 10 men. Anthony Upton placed the ball down and subsequently curled it home with the keeper rooted to the spot.
Hoole now new the game was won and Bridge looked equally defeated, this showed in the play as the away side produced some great football. One move finishing up with a drilled ball into Keaton on the edge of the box who shimmied to lose the defenders before rolling a ball along the 18 yard box to the on coming Dave Marsden who curled the ball into the far corner to wrap up the points and a great win.
With the game put to bed a tiring Jon Rigby signalled to the bench he was struggling and the watching fans went wild with the emergence of player manager Paul Taylor from the bench. To a standing ovation Taylor took to the field and tightened up the defence to ensure they conceded no more goals. Although he failed to touch the ball Taylor proved he still has what it takes to perform at this level.
A tough call but for a tireless captains performance just gives man of the match to Mark Wearden but it could have gone to several players on the day.
