Highlights:
Staplehurst Monarchs 1–0 Bridon Ropes
Jubilee Sports Ground | Saturday 9 August 2025, 3 pm KO
Bridon Ropes travelled to Jubilee Sports Ground on Saturday with confidence and intent. The Ropes started well, moving the ball with purpose and showing composure under pressure.
Early in the match, however, there was concern when experienced full-back Zac Beeden went down off the ball clutching his hamstring. After treatment, he was unable to continue, paving the way for a season debut for Zac Lawrence, who slotted in impressively on his first outing.
Once play resumed, Bridon were quickly back on the front foot. In the 25th minute, Patrick Da Lomba latched onto a cross just outside the area and unleashed a fierce volley that beat the keeper but whistled narrowly over the bar.
Played in warm, sunny conditions, the match saw both sides manage their energy sensibly, with Bridon keeping possession well in the early stages. As the first half wore on, Staplehurst began to grow into the game. Their best opportunity fell to No. 10 Ted Hodges, but goalkeeper Albert Penney read the danger well and dealt with it calmly to keep the scores level at the break.
Staplehurst came out with greater intensity in the second half, attacking quickly down the right. Their No. 9 broke into the box and fired low to the corner, only for Penney to get down brilliantly and tip it wide for a corner. From that set-piece, the referee spotted an infringement and awarded a penalty in the 55th minute. The same No. 9 struck it firmly towards the bottom right, but Penney produced a superb full-stretch save, with Bridon’s defenders reacting sharply to clear the rebound.
Soon after, Bridon were forced into another change when left-back Tylah Sanchez pulled up with a hamstring issue. Young forward Jack Keen entered around the hour mark as manager Lee Roots reshuffled his side. More substitutions followed: in the 66th minute Olusegun Akinwunmi made way for Manny Oshinowo; at 73 minutes Ben Fahey was replaced by debutant Anthony Skordilis, who impressed with a composed and confident showing; and in the 77th minute Patrick Da Lomba was replaced by Paris Jackson.
Staplehurst enjoyed spells of possession but the Ropes remained a threat on the counter. On 90 minutes, Keen came agonisingly close to snatching the lead when his flicked header from a left-wing cross missed the far post by inches.
In the 93rd minute, Staplehurst capitalised on a misplaced forward pass, breaking quickly before substitute Webb drilled a low shot from the edge of the box through a crowd of players and past the unsighted Penney. It was harsh on the Bridon keeper, who had delivered a remarkable performance throughout.
The referee added seven minutes of stoppage time, during which Bridon pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but the final pass just wouldn’t come.
Full-time: 1–0 to Staplehurst Monarchs. The result was disappointing, but the Ropes can take plenty of encouragement from a disciplined display, strong performances from debutants, and another standout goalkeeping performance from Penney. With no fixture next weekend, the squad will have valuable time to recover and prepare for our third away fixture in a row against Croydon FC on 23rd August.
Bridon Ropes Starting XI
Albert Penney; Zac Beeden (replaced by Zac Lawrence); Tylah Sanchez (replaced by Jack Keen); Ben Fahey (replaced by Anthony Skordilis); Jason Bye; Ian Kemp (C); Olusegun Akinwunmi (replaced by Eman Oshinowo); Joshua Schoeffer; Sam Sarpong; Eman Bestman; Patrick Da Lomba (replaced by Paris Jackson)
Substitutes Used: Zac Lawrence, Jack Keen, Eman Oshinowo, Anthony Skordilis, Paris Jackson
