They might be adrift at the bottom but Three Bridges will provide as stern a test as any when they visit Champion Hill this afternoon.

Today’s opposition may find themselves firmly lodged in last spot in the South Division but one has to feel a twinge of sympathy for a side without a win in league since early November last year when Whitstable were left pointless after Marcus Elliott popped up with an injury time winner. Since then victories have proved impossible to come by if not for want of trying. At home to the Hamlet, the Bridges led at halftime, looked to have the upper hand in a rain lashed second half before the lights went out leaving the Jubilee Field Stadium in darkness. While both sides waited patiently in the dressing rooms, one brave soul restored power, though perhaps he might have wished otherwise as Daniel Carr’s brace have Hamlet the points.

Similarly at Maidstone United a few weeks later, Three Bridges, never overawed, took the lead much to the shock of most of the 1000+ crowd only be pegged back by Stuart King’s 57th minute goal, before fate dealt a cruel blow with a brace of stoppage time Stones scores settling matters in favour of the hosts.

A run of nine straight league losses was finally ended with a hard-fought point away to Ramsgate but hopes of a corner turned were dashed as the Bridges narrowly lost their next three games, all at home, and all by a single goal. Back on the road again Burgess Hill were shut out in a scoreless stalemate before the Sussex Senior Cup brought a touch of joy back to Jubilee Field Crowborough give a four goal trouncing. That triumph seemed to give them extra heart for a daunting trip away to Leatherhead, just seven days after the Tanners had thrown a spanner in the works of Maidstone’s title bid with a 3-2 on the plastic pitch of the Gallagher. Yet against all odds, the Bridges held firm and refused to crumble, pulling off one of the most satisfying results in their trying Isthmian debut season with a 1-1 at Fetcham Grove. Then again, fate has a habit of kicking a man when he is down and despite that, Three Bridges found themselves even further adrift at adrift at the foot of the table as Walton Casuals, the side above them, powered to a 4-0 victory at Herne Bay widening the gap to a daunting seven points.

Putting the Bridges ahead at Leatherhead was Elliott who continues to prove a threat with more than a dozen goals to his name this campaign. Also regularly among the goals is young Tim Rivers, a former England Schoolboy, equally at home in midfield or attack. Whilst Dulwich had to handle those pair last time we clashed the Bridges have been busy snaffling up talent in order to bolster their squad ahead of the final relegation dogfight. Late January saw former Crawley Town youth Romone McCrae, who was part of a big-money sale to Peterborough, another former Creepies youth teamer, centre back Moshood Olafunmishe, and goalkeeper Pav Szelemej, late of Lewes, recruited to the cause. Originally from Poland, Szelemej has played for KS Huragan-Morag in the fourth tier of Polish football.

The arrivals add to the likes of midfielders Williams Peroux who re-re-joined the club from Cray Wanderers for his third stint at Jubilee Field and the experienced Hasan Nyang, who returned to the Bridges from Walton Casuals after five years away.

Perhaps the greatest weapon in the opposition arsenal will a player whose long absence from a Three Bridges shirt was not of his own making, midfield maestro, Lee Carney. Since shocking the Sussex soccer scene with a surprise switch from then less impecunious Horsham back in 2010, marking his debut with a hat trick, chief playmaker Carney proved to be a key cog in the Bridges machinery. That was until a sickening leg threatened to finish his career and kept him on the sidelines for more than nine months. Against Dulwich on that interrupted afternoon, Carney returned and just a couple of practice games behind him, proved influential in the home side’s surprise lead, bossing midfield for the hour or so he was on the part and setting up Elliot for his side’s opener. Incidentally, he had departed by the time Carr’s double dose of punishment had turned the result on its head.

This afternoon’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

Before the game why not enjoy a drink or snack in the ground cosy clubhouse, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles, with live sport on the big screens including the early kick-off between Luton and Millwall in the FA Cup.

ADMISSION PRICES

• £9 for Adults
• £4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 16s, Unemployed (UB40) & Full Time Students with valid ID)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £1.50