HIGHLIGHTS:
MATCH REPORT:
Sporting Club Thamesmead 2–2 Bridon Ropes
Bayliss Avenue | Monday 4 August 2025, 7.45pm KO – First league game under the lights
Bridon Ropes opened their 2025–26 league campaign under the floodlights at Bayliss Avenue with a spirited 2–2 draw against Sporting Club Thamesmead in what proved to be an entertaining and hard-fought contest.
The game began cautiously, with both sides probing without committing too much early on. An early booking for midfielder Joe Quinnear in just the 5th minute meant he had to tread carefully for the remainder of the match.
The visitors struck first in the 15th minute. A well-delivered corner from the left by Ben Fahey found its target as captain Ian Kemp rose high above the SCT defenders to head powerfully into the net. A composed finish that gave Bridon the early advantage.
Thamesmead responded in the 27th minute after a foul on the edge of the Bridon area gave them a free-kick in a dangerous position. Mochine-Wood stepped up and curled a pinpoint strike into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Albert Penney with no chance.
Bridon responded well and dominated the final five minutes of the half, forcing desperate defending and goal-line clearances from the hosts, but the scores remained level at the break.
Whatever was said in the away dressing room at half-time clearly had an impact, as Bridon came out with intent. They began to take control of possession, carving out several promising chances. However, a combination of smart goalkeeping and wasteful finishing meant the breakthrough eluded them.
Then, against the flow of play, SCT went ahead. A 65th-minute corner was met firmly by Jack Hooper, who guided his header past Penney to make it 2–1.
Despite the setback, Bridon showed great composure and belief. Their pressure paid off in the 77th minute when substitute Sam Sarpong found himself in the right place to meet a corner and steer the ball home from inside the six-yard box.
Sporting pressed late in search of a winner, but Penney came to the rescue with a superb 90th-minute save. Moments later, Bridon were reduced to ten men when substitute Paris Jackson was shown a straight red card for a coming together near the edge of the area.
Even with a man down, the Ropes created one final chance in stoppage time. Eman Bestman made one of his trademark surging runs into the box and unleashed a low drive, but the SCT keeper was equal to it.
Full-time: 2–2. A battling away point and a positive start to the new season for Bridon Ropes.
Bridon Ropes Starting XI
Albert Penney, Zac Beeden, Tylah Sanchez, Ben Fahey, Jason Bye, Ian Kemp (C), Olusegun Akinwunmi, Joe Quinnear, Jack Keen, Emmanuel Oshinowo, Patrick Da Lomba
Substitutes (used): Eman Bestman, Deniz Osman, Paris Jackson, Sam Sarpong, Joshua Schoeffer
Manager Lee Roots will take heart from the resilience and quality shown by his side, especially coming from behind twice away from home. Attention now turns to Saturday’s away fixture against Staplehurst Monarchs, where the Ropes will look to turn a strong performance into three points.
